To the editor:
Building a Better Wellesley is urging residents and elected officials to work collaboratively with the Commonwealth on plans for MassBay Community College and adjacent state-owned land, emphasizing that cooperation offers the best opportunity to preserve the MassBay forest while supporting education and housing needs.
The Commonwealth intends to use proceeds from the sale of surplus land to fund long-overdue improvements to MassBay Community College, under the state’s Affordable Homes Act. This law allows surplus public land to be used for housing while generating capital for public institutions.
The designation of approximately 45 acres on the west side of Oakland Street as surplus creates an unprecedented opportunity for Wellesley. The forested land currently has no conservation protections, and for the first time, the Commonwealth has asked the Town about its long-term vision for the property.
In December, the Wellesley Select Board reported that Edward Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, agreed to work with the Town to pursue permanent conservation protections for the forest. Building a Better Wellesley believes that entering into good-faith negotiations with the state is the most effective way to secure this outcome.
MassBay Community College plays a critical role in educating students for essential careers, including healthcare, public safety, and cybersecurity. Its nationally recognized cybersecurity program, along with training for EMTs, medical professionals, firefighters, and police officers, strengthens the broader community. The college also offers free tuition to Massachusetts residents who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Despite its impact, MassBay’s facilities lag behind peer institutions. The college needs capital investment for modern academic, health, and wellness facilities. MassBay has long been a valued neighbor to Wellesley, hosting community events, supporting local schools, and stewarding land enjoyed by residents.
Under the Affordable Homes Act, a minimum of four housing units per acre is required, resulting in approximately 180 units across the 45-acre site. Beyond that requirement, many aspects of the project remain flexible and will be determined through a Request for Proposals issued by state agencies, which have expressed a willingness to incorporate Wellesley’s priorities—especially forest preservation.
Current concepts would concentrate housing on the already developed parking lot, leaving the forest intact. This approach mirrors other successful developments in Wellesley, such as Wellesley Green, that integrate housing with preserved open space.
Without housing at this scale, the college’s capital needs cannot be met, and Wellesley would lose leverage to secure permanent conservation protections.
“There is broad agreement that the MassBay forest should be preserved, but that will not be accomplished with lawsuits or delays,” said Ann-Mara Lanza, a member of the Building a Better Wellesley Steering Committee. “Collaboration offers the best chance for a win-win outcome for Wellesley residents, MassBay students, and the broader community.”
Building a Better Wellesley Steering Committee
Irene Flint; Sheri Kassirer; Ann-Mara Lanza; Deed McCollum; Andrew Mikula; Sally Watts
