The Wellesley Board of Public Works at its March 9 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording) covered everything from drought status to projected water and sewer rate hikes to Annual Town Meeting prep.

Department of Public Works Director David Cohen said two Massachusetts regions adjacent to the one Wellesley is part of—Southeast—have been upgraded to Level 3 drought status by the Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA), while Wellesley’s region remains at Level 2. The drought upgrades, Cohen said, are “shocking to me, but that’s what the data tells them.” Wellesley property owners remain limited to one day of outdoor watering per week, and handheld watering at that. We might not quite be at outdoor watering season anyway, but spring’s coming fast. “I’m hoping by the time we come to April something changes, but I’m not terribly optimistic that’s what we’re going to see,” he said. EEA issues monthly updates on drought status.

Getting into the habit of reduced water usage could pay off for Wellesley property owners anyway with sharp rate hikes anticipated for water (20% for FY27 and perhaps 15% for FY28) and sewer (6% for FY27)—this could mean an average increase of about $213 in the coming fiscal year that begins in July. The good news is that stormwater management fees are holding steady.

Planned capital expenses for PFAS (aka, forever chemicals) treatment for the public water supply and establishing a second connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) are mainly behind the expected rate increases. “Our revenue’s not going to be enough to cover the cost of the ongoing program,” Cohen said, adding that more details will be forthcoming at a future board meeting, where different options will be presented. Receipt of additional PFAS settlement funds with manufacturers responsible for the spread of PFAS could whittle down Wellesley rate increases a bit.

The Board also heard updates on contracts, including for automated gates at the entrance to Morses Pond on Turner Road and for the Warren Park playground revamp. The bids received for the gates were competitive, and the board approved the lowest one. Automating the gates will give the town the ability to keep the gates open more often, though remotely close them at the end of the day (there will be protocols for getting people out whose vehicles might get locked in). Municipal vehicles will be equipped with chips that allow them to go in and out. “What we really are trying to do is provide access when the beach isn’t open,” said Cohen, who noted that both the Recreation Department and Natural Resources Commission have requested more public access. The thinking also is that the gates being open more often could alleviate some neighbors’ parking concerns on Turner Road.

The board also approved a contract with Green Acres Landscaping, one of six bidders for the renovation of the Warren Park playground (90 Washington St., adjacent to the Recreation Center). This led to some reminiscing about the old “Green Acres” TV show, and the Gabor sisters…

The playground will feature a poured-in-place rubber surface, largely for accessibility reasons, though the Natural Resources Commission is looking to use natural materials where possible for other playground projects.

Cohen and the board touched on prep for Annual Town Meeting, which includes a handful of Public Works warrant articles, including for a feasibility study regarding a DPW campus redevelopment. Though Town Meeting will deal with fewer Public Works warrant articles that looked to be the case a few weeks back. Cohen said that articles getting pulled relate to Great Plain Avenue work, additional MWRA connectivity, and PFAS treatment. “We’re doing our part to shorten up Town Meeting,” he said.

The DPW of course has been doing its part as well with winter road treatments and clean-ups, with higher numbers this winter than in recent years. One impact of the snowier season is that the DPW’s Park & Tree personnel won’t be able to get out in front of spring prep outside as much as they have in recent years.