This page was updated Jan. 2025.
Real estate tax. bills due Feb. 3
Jan. 28, 2025–Real estate and personal property tax payments for the 3rd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 are due on or before Monday, February 3.
Residents are strongly encouraged to pay bills online. For detailed payment instructions, please visit the Treasurer/Collector webpages on the Town website.
In fall 2024, the Town changed online payment vendors and is now using City Hall Systems. To pay your tax bills online, you must have an account with City Hall Systems.
In-person payments may be delivered to the Treasurer’s Office at Wellesley Town Hall, 525 Washington Street, Floor 1. Payments are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Payments may also be delivered to the secure ballot and payment drop box located in front of Town Hall, directly across from the Washington Street entrance. This box was in front of the Wellesley Police Department but was moved back to Town Hall in early January.
Questions? Contact the Treasurer’s Office at 781-431-1019 ext. 2266.
Be one of the proud 240 Wellesley Town Meeting members
Jan. 22, 2025—Run for Town Meeting member in Wellesley. Candidates are needed in almost all precincts.
Individuals must live in the precinct they wish to represent and need to obtain ten signatures from registered voters in that precinct to be nominated.
Pick up nomination papers in the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall, 525 Washington Street, Floor 1, by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 24. This week the Clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Papers must be returned by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28.
Winter Warning for Dogs and People When Near Water
Jan. 14, 2025–The Wellesley Fire Department is reminding everyone to use caution and keep dogs leashed when walking near water during the winter.
The warning comes after fire officials dramatically rescued a dog and his owner who fell through thin ice on Lake Waban in the early evening on Sunday, January 12. The Wellesley Police Department captured drone video of the rescue effort. Waning daylight added to the concern.
Due to the quick work of WFD crews, both the dog and the person were rescued, treated for hypothermia, and are recovering.
Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli and Animal Control Officer Jennifer Smith are urging everyone to follow important safety tips to help prevent accidents like this during the winter months.
- Keep dogs on a leash when walking near bodies of water during the winter months, even if you’re in an area that allows dogs to be walked under voice control. Bodies of water may appear to be frozen solid but often there is only a thin layer of ice.
- Dog owners may want to use a retractable style leash. This gives dogs more freedom to explore their surroundings than a traditional leash, but owners can shorten the length of the leash if dogs get too close to the water’s edge.
- Avoid distractions and pay attention to your dog. Dogs are often attracted to birds that stand on the surface of the ice and can fall through the ice when trying to chase the birds.
- DO NOT try to rescue a dog on your own. If a dog falls through the ice, the safest approach is to call 9-1-1 immediately and monitor the dog’s location from the edge of the water.
Q3 property tax bills landing in mailboxes soon
Real estate and personal property tax bills for the 3rd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 have been mailed; payments are due on or before Monday, February 3, 2025.
Residents are strongly encouraged to pay bills online. For detailed online payment instructions, please visit the Treasurer/Collector webpages on the Town website.
The Town is now using City Hall Systems to process online tax bill payments.
In-person payments may be delivered to the Treasurer’s Office at Wellesley Town Hall, 525 Washington Street, Floor 1. Payments are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Payments may also be delivered to the secure ballot and payment drop box which is once again located in front of Town Hall, directly across from the Washington Street entrance.
Questions? Contact the Treasurer’s Office at 781-431-1019 ext. 2266.
Join the Wellesley Town Hall Art Working Group
Dec. 20, 2024–Wellesley’s beautifully renovated Town Hall will open to the public on December 26, 2024.
As residents, staff, and visitors return to this historic building, the Select Board has created a Town Hall Art Working Group to make recommendations on artwork and artifacts to display throughout the interior of Town Hall.
Residents and Town leaders are invited to be part of this working group. Meetings will begin in January 2025 to discuss and review existing art and artifacts, working closely with Town staff and Select Board members.
The group will include a diverse array of members from various backgrounds and experiences who are interested in serving and:
- Have professional expertise in space design, place-making, and/or architecture; and/or
- Have expertise in art, display and presentation of art, and historical, cultural, and educational materials; and/or
- Have an appreciation of Wellesley’s history, cultural diversity, and the role Town Hall plays as an important symbol in the community and a place to celebrate the Town and its residents.
If you are interested in serving on the Town Hall Art Working group, please email Assistant Executive Director Corey Testa at ctesta@wellesleyma.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Please include: (1) Full name, (2) Home address, (3) Email address and phone number, and (4) a 3-5 sentence personal statement of interest.
Wellesley Town Hall Offices Move December 19, 2024
A number of Wellesley town government offices are moving back to the historic Town Hall building at 525 Washington Street.
These offices were temporarily relocated to 888 Worcester Street (Route 9 East) for the past year-and-a half to allow for an extensive interior renovation project.
The specific offices that are moving are: Assessor’s office, Finance office, Human Resources office, Parking Clerk, Town Clerk’s office, Treasurer’s office, Select Board office, and Veterans Services.
Staff in these offices will be working remotely and available by email and phone from Thursday, December 19 through noon on Tuesday, December 24.
On Wednesday, December 25, all Town offices are CLOSED for Christmas Day.
Town Hall will reopen to the public on Thursday, December 26.
General hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but some departments close at 4 p.m. Please check the Town website for specific department open and closing hours.
Please note: Land use departments – the Building Department, Natural Resources Department, and Planning Department – will remain at 888 Worcester Street.
Tax classification hearing on Dec. 17, 2024
Due to a procedural defect, the Select Board and Board of Assessors will hold another public hearing to discuss and vote the tax classification rate for Fiscal Year 2025.
The hearing will take place during the regular Select Board meeting on Tuesday, December 17 beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Anyone who would like to speak at the public hearing should email sel@wellesleyma.gov to request the Zoom meeting link.
The Tax Classification hearing is a required step in certifying the tax rate for FY2025.
The purpose of the hearing is for the Board to determine whether there should be a single tax rate applied to all classes of real and personal property, or whether it should be split and be assessed at differing rates.
Thanksgiving 2024 schedule
Nov. 27, 2024–Wellesley municipal buildings and offices, and the Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF), will be closed on Thursday, November 28 for Thanksgiving.
Regular business hours resume on Friday, November 29. Please check department webpages for specific opening and closing hours as those may vary.
A reminder that the RDF is now closed on Sundays. The Reusables area will close for the season on Saturday, December 7.
New commuter rail schedules are out
Nov. 12, 2024–New fall and winter schedules for the MBTA Commuter Rail start Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. These changes will impact riders on the Framingham/Worcester line.
Recently, trains have been delayed due to slippery rails caused by fallen leaves. While this issue is seasonal, the new schedules includes minor time adjustments to accommodate the slippery rails and ensure safety on the tracks.
In addition, midday train schedules on the Framingham/Worcester line are changing to accommodate construction projects on that line between November 18 and December 31, 2024.
Wellesley commuters should check the schedule when planning train trips to and from Boston.
Early in-person voting ends on Nov. 1
Nov. 1, 2024–The last day to vote early in-person for the upcoming State/Presidential election is Friday, November 1.
Registered voters may cast ballots early in-person at the Wellesley Free Library main branch (530 Washington Street) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both Thursday, October 31 and Friday, November 1
As allowed, all early voting in-person ballots will be processed either during advanced processing or at the polls on Election Day.
2nd quarter tax bills due
Nov. 1, 2024–Payments for the 2nd Quarter tax bills are due on Friday, November 1, 2024
The Town has changed vendors for online payments and is now using City Hall Systems.
With City Hall Systems, you may pay bills:
- Using an autopay account set up with City Hall Systems. Follow these steps to set up your autopay account.
- With a credit card, debit card, or echeck using your computer or mobile device from the Town website or at https://epay.cityhallsystems.
com - Over the phone by calling the City Hall Systems Payment Line at (508) 381-5456 and make secure payments through knowledgeable customer service representatives who speak English, Spanish and Portuguese
- In-person at the Wellesley Treasurer’s office, temporarily located at 888 Worcester Street, Suite 140. Please note: Payments are accepted from8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Payments may also be delivered to the secure ballot and payment drop box in the Wellesley Police Department parking lot at 485 Washington Street.
Questions? Contact the Treasurer’s Office at 781-431-1019 ext. 2266.
High Brush Fire Risk Warning
Oct. 29, 2024—Recent warm weather and no rain has resulted in extremely dry conditions throughout Massachusetts and a high risk of brush fires.
With 47 active brush fires reported statewide, including 18 in the past 24 hours, Wellesley Fire officials and local leaders are urging residents to use extra caution with open flames and other outdoor heat sources.
Common causes of brush fires include overheated power equipment, improperly disposed of fireplace, fire pit, or outdoor stove ashes, and outdoor heating or cooking. Dry leaves, dead vegetation, and other fuels can easily ignite from even one small spark.
“The dry, sunny, breezy weather is great for recreation, but it also means that any outdoor fire will spread quickly and become very difficult to manage,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “We’re seeing preventable fires growing to dangerous sizes and drawing numerous resources, locally and regionally.”
Based on the preliminary causes of recent fires, officials are asking residents to:
- Remember that open burning is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round.
- Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
- Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. The engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.
- Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out: never dump them outdoors or in the trash.
- Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony or patio, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.
Tax bills coming due
From the Town of Wellesley:
Tax bills for the 2nd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 have been mailed; payments are due on or before Friday, November 1.
The Town has changed vendors for online payments and is now using City Hall Systems.
With City Hall Systems, you may pay bills:
- Using an autopay account set up with City Hall Systems. Follow these steps to set up your autopay account.
- With a credit card, debit card, or echeck using your computer or mobile device from the Town website or at https://epay.cityhallsystems.
com - Over the phone by calling the City Hall Systems Payment Line at (508) 381-5456 and make secure payments through knowledgeable customer service representatives who speak English, Spanish and Portuguese
- In-person at the Wellesley Treasurer’s office, temporarily located at 888 Worcester Street, Suite 140. Please note: Payments are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Payments may also be delivered to the secure ballot and payment drop box in the Wellesley Police Department parking lot at 485 Washington Street.
Questions? Contact the Treasurer’s Office at 781-431-1019 ext. 2266.
