The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

What drought? Wellesley rescinds outdoor watering restrictions

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The drought status for the southeast region of the state that includes Wellesley has been decreased from a Level 2 “significant drought” designation by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to normal conditions. As a result, Wellesley’s Board of Public Works has rescinded one-day per week outdoor watering restrictions that had been in effect since February.

“I’m surprised, I did not see that coming,” Department of Public Works Director Dave Cohen said during the Board of Public Works meeting on April 13.  “I thought that perhaps we would get to a Level 1 [mild drought] but they brought us all the way back to a Level 0.”

drought status

Despite the improved drought status, the Wellesley Water Department still discourages business and property owners from going wild with their water, both for conservation purposes as well as for lawn health. They’re recommending a voluntary conservation program of two outdoor watering days per week, and to irrigate before 9 am and after 5 pm to reduce water loss from evaporation.

You can track your water use via the Water Customer Portal. 

Contact the DPW Water & Sewer Division with questions at (781) 235-7600 extension 3355.

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Housing & Environment

Wellesley Select Board to call for Special Town Meeting that will address MassBay land’s future

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The Wellesley Select Board, on the heels of the latest communication from the state regarding the future of 45 acres of MassBay Community College property, plans to call for a Special Town Meeting on May 11 where the issue will be addressed. The state’s plans to sell MassBay property deemed “surplus”—five acres of parking lot, 40 acres of forest—so that 180 units of housing can be developed has sparked concerns from neighbors and users of the adjacent Centennial Reservation as well as enthusiasm from those who say the state’s plans could lead to needed housing, protections for the forest, and upgrades to MassBay’s campus.

(See Wellesley Media recording of the April 14 Select Board meeting about 4 minutes, 30 seconds in.)

The other big news shared by Select Board Chair Marjorie Freiman was that the state’s Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) continue to target July for issuance of a request for proposals to develop the property at 40 Oakland St. under the state’s Affordable Homes Act (AHA). State leaders say in an April 10 letter responding to a January letter from the town that included some three dozen questions about the AHA, possible project at 40 Oakland, and more, that the July target date still gives Wellesley time to share the community’s goals for housing at the site. EOHLC has swapped out one Secretary for another in between the time the town sent its questions and now.

The Swellesley Report was the first publication to write about the possibility of housing at this site, all the way back in early June of last year. Numerous public meetings on this issue have been held and many citizen speak opportunities on this issue have been made available last year and this. Grassroots campaigns in town have emerged, and the town has investigated legal options, which it continues to discuss.

The Select Board began its night behind closed doors in an executive session “to conduct strategy with respect to potential litigation regarding 40 Oakland Street.” It then shifted to public mode, and began with an agenda item on the MassBay property, which sits across Oakland Street from the school’s campus.

At that point, Freiman shared that the town had received two letters from the state, one from EOHLC that reiterated that the Commonwealth’s plans for Wellesley are part of a broader effort to address the housing crisis. “The letter did not answer any of the questions we sent in our Jan. 9 letter,” she said.

What the letter did say, in part: “The project at 40 Oakland Street presents an opportunity to work together on a development approach that helps address this urgent need by building 180 much-needed new homes in a way that enhances the community and complements the town’s overarching housing and planning goals. We can achieve this by concentrating development of these units on and around the parking area and permanently conserving the balance of the parcel, which does not enjoy such protection today, should the town still wish to do so.”

The EOHLC letter stated that the town’s questions sent in January went beyond the scope of planning considerations that were expected to be the focus of the town’s queries (and that some questions were addressed in the state’s proposed regulations, on which the town submitted comments in early April).

EOHLC did say that DCAMM “is open to requiring that the selected developer comply with the Town’s existing Inclusionary Zoning requirements for the creation and monitoring of affordable housing units…”

The other letter, from DCAMM, provided the official 30-day notice that the property at 40 Oakland St. has been determined to be surplus and will be made available for disposition for housing purposes. It remained evident during citizen remarks at the Select Board meeting that the term “surplus” being associated with the forest land continues to stick in the craw of those opposing the state’s plans.

Freiman said that while the town has provided plenty of opportunities for people to weigh in on the MassBay situation (public meetings, letters, etc.), “We now believe that we need to hear from a very broad representative group of the town, and we are going to call for a Special Town Meeting in May…”

The plan is to put a non-binding question or questions to Town Meeting members at the May 11 session, slated to start at 7pm at Wellesley High, and that other members of the public will be welcome to attend as well (Wellesley’s Annual Town Meeting was dissolved earlier this month).

The Select Board will meet on Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall to open the Special Town Meeting Warrant. A subsequent meeting will  be held on Monday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. in town hall to finalize and vote the motion language for the warrant.

Seven members of the public commented during the April 14 Select Board meeting regarding the MassBay agenda item. The first welcomed the state efforts, citing the need for housing and the opportunity to protect the forest; the rest shared their concerns, including about housing density, lack of a broad planning perspective related to other potential development in the area, and possible negative environmental impacts.

The public may submit general comments and concerns on the MassBay land disposition to EOHLC at 40OaklandSt.DCAMM@mass.gov until May 13.

Note: Posted updated on 4/16/26 with additional information on the planned Special Town Meeting and warrant.

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Boston Marathon 2026: Wellesley guide

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boston marathon 2025

Wellesley Square claims the mid-point of the annual Boston Marathon, but Wellesley also accounts for 4-2 miles of the course in all starting just before the 12-mile mark near the Wellesley College entrance on Rte. 135 and stretching to the cusp of mile 16 near the Newton line.

We welcome marathon stories, snippets, and photos: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

The 2026 Boston Marathon takes place on Monday, April 20. The first participants leave Hopkinton just after 9am, and the last wave of runners departs at 11:21am. Wheelchair athletes should be hitting Wellesley before 10am. Depending on whether you’re on the lookout for fast runners or plodders among the 30,000 participants, you’ll need to adjust your schedule accordingly. The pro runners, who start between 9:37-9:47am, should be hitting Wellesley Square before 11am after passing through Ashland, Framingham, and Natick.

Beware that roads in Wellesley that are on and near the course will be closing at 8:30am and many won’t reopen to at least 3:30pm (more details).

You’ve got quite a selection of spots in Wellesley to watch the race from. Many residents who live on the course and businesses located along the route party is up.

Things get really zany along the Wellesley College “Scream Tunnel” section, where students do indeed scream for—and sometimes smooch—sweaty runners. You’ll find some of the more clever, racy, and inspirational signs here as well. This segment used to feel more like a tunnel, with spectators on both sides of runners, but due to security and other changes over the years, fans are now located behind a barrier on just one side of the course.

boston marathon 21
Scream Tunnel

A short walk or run from there up to Wellesley Square is another festive site, with fans lined up on both sides of Central Street. Local businesses get in on the action a well, some with giveaways, some with their own outdoor exercise displays (stationary bikes or rowing machines, for example).

The segment of Rte. 135/16 in front of Town Hall and the library makes for good picture taking, with a great backdrop on either side of the street. Simons Park next to the library also offers a bit of running around space for kids and pups.

At the 13.5-mile mark, in front of the Tolles Parsons Center at 500 Washington St., will be a sensory friendly viewing area—cowbell free. Learn more if you plan to attend here.

The crowds are strong, but thin out a bit, as you head into Wellesley Hills. The race passes by Hunnewell Fields at mile 14, so that’s another area where if you’re there with kids they can take a break on the playground, courts and fields.

For some high flying action, consider setting up near the top of the hill past the 15-mile mark that zips past the Wellesley Recreation Center on the right. This is an especially wild spot for watching the wheelchair and hand-cycle racers speed by.

About 50 Wellesley residents are participating in the 2026 Boston Marathon, per the Boston Athletic Association:

BIBWAVE/CORRALLAST, FIRSTAGE
7881 – Red/1Defelice, David35
12541 – Red/2Li, Peide33
19081 – Red/2Collins, Luke25
28461 – Red/3Colavincenzo, John45
50351 – Red/5Juma, Adam20
117272 – White/8Foley, Brian59
126893 – Blue/2Li, Amanda27
133443 – Blue/3Haggerty, Sean56
139203 – Blue/4Dravenstott, Richard52
139333 – Blue/4Burch, Kathleen42
196814 – Yellow/6Mcnally, Lawrence66
200394 – Yellow/7Given, Sarah42
202834 – Yellow/7Huang, Yimei51
203134 – Yellow/7Foraste, Stephen58
252135 – Green/6Maul, Kate58
253935 – Green/7Collins, Bob65
254885 – Green/7Boland, Giles66
268066 – Orange/1Labadie, Jessica35
268236 – Orange/1Comella, Abigail23
268666 – Orange/1Kelly, Timothy53
269776 – Orange/1Fischman, Wendy54
270756 – Orange/1Daley, Heather67
271246 – Orange/1Kelly, Peter46
272196 – Orange/1Hoff, Caroline22
272916 – Orange/1Diamond, Sophia38
276506 – Orange/2Barlow, Lindsey43
277316 – Orange/2Boghosian, Richard38
277336 – Orange/2Flanagan, Ryan49
277366 – Orange/2Boghosian, Natasha36
281396 – Orange/2Flores, Omar21
285026 – Orange/3Huang, Alden22
288106 – Orange/3Eklund, Susie43
289246 – Orange/3Jacoby, Kerrie34
289896 – Orange/3Boland, Lindsay32
293626 – Orange/4Day, Michelle56
293636 – Orange/4Day, Courtney26
302496 – Orange/5Laudano, Emmie18
305406 – Orange/5Mccarron, Catherine23
306916 – Orange/5Joseph, Sara53
308376 – Orange/5Madden, Nathaniel19
309766 – Orange/5Houston, Neil46
309776 – Orange/5Corzo, Victor72
310646 – Orange/5Clark, Kevin59
311306 – Orange/6Cavallaro, Nicole40
321086 – Orange/7Barbary, Allison45
327026 – Orange/7Kim, Jayne54
327076 – Orange/7Campbell, Thomas45
327366 – Orange/7Lyne, Julia25
329736 – Orange/8Ellis, Faith24
332246 – Orange/8Freniere, Charlotte24

Learn about runners from Wellesley and/or running for Wellesley non-profits.

WCVB-TV visits Wellesley as part of its series on the marathon course.

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Wellesley kicks off Affordable Housing Trust 5-year action plan process

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The Wellesley Affordable Housing Trust—previously the Wellesley Housing Development Corp.—this past week held a public meeting with a consultancy that will work with the town to create a 5-year strategic action plan for affordable housing (see Wellesley Media recording of April 10 meeting).

The plan—not to be confused with the complementary Strategic Housing Plan or Unified Plan (at some point to be replaced by a Comprehensive Plan)—costs $30k and is being paid for from the trust’s existing funds. The trust’s mission is “to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Wellesley for the benefit of low- and moderate-income households” (Annual Town Meeting approved the trust’s creation last year).

Consulting firm JM Goldson started off by doing consultancy things, asking members of the now full Affordable Housing Trust board to introduce themselves and share a word or phrase about housing here (“complicated,” “important,” etc.). JM Goldson, led by Jenn Goldson, previously worked with the town on its Housing Production Plan.

Board members were earlier asked to fill out a questionnaire to help guide the plan’s direction, and cited a desire for a focused plan, and one that syncs with the Wellesley Housing Authority, which manages public housing properties on Barton Road and elsewhere. The Housing Authority has gone through a period of instability, and is in the midst of arranging a management agreement with the Cambridge Housing Authority.

A past feasibility study looking at possible redevelopment of the 16-plus-acre Barton Road public housing property proved to be largely a bust, but was cited as a resource for JM Goldson to at least look at as the town takes a possible fresh look at how to maximize this large property with just 88 units on it. Trust board chair Micah O’Neil noted that the organization needs to proceed somewhat cautiously, as this Lower Falls area of town is ripe for all sorts of other development with key commercial properties changing hands. “How do we smartly develop Barton Road but also keep in mind what else is happening in that part of town?” he said.

Wellesley currently meets the state’s guidance for having at least 10% of housing stock deemed affordable, though the town keeps a sharp eye on that percentage in the face of any possible new multi-family housing developments that could lack an affordable component. The state’s Affordable Homes Act, curiously, doesn’t include an affordable unit requirement… so possible development on the MassBay property designated as surplus by the Commonwealth could skew Wellesley’s affordable housing percentage. This MassBay situation “will hang over everything for the moment” in terms of development in that part of town, said Kenny Largess, the Select Board’s liaison to the trust, though he also said the Barton Road property provides the greatest opportunity for consensus on affordable housing development in town and could offer “the biggest bang for the buck.”

Goldson raised the issue of how to proceed with the trust’s action plan given the town is also awaiting its start on a broader comprehensive plan (Annual Town Meeting voted against funding yet another pricey study for now, with some portion of Town Meeting looking for Wellesley to first hire a new planning director). Executive Director Meghan Jop said “If anything, this plan I would argue is going to inform the Comprehensive Plan in terms of some of the goals and strategies for affordable housing.”

The questionnaire brought to light possible obstacles to affordable housing plans in town, including state funding rules that limit redevelopment and resident fatigue around multi-family housing discussions despite a general acknowledgement that Wellesley needs more housing diversity.

affordable housing

Thinking creatively will be required to come up with new affordable housing opportunities in town. One idea would be to create a land trust that will enable developers to seek more types of funding for projects.

A working session involving the consultancy and members of Wellesley boards/committees/staff with a say on housing matters is slated for May. From there, the consulting firm would come up with a draft plan in June and a final product in July.

 

 

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New theatre company at Wellesley’s Temple Beth Elohim to launch with ‘Fiddler on the Roof’

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TBE Players
Rehearsing for “Fiddler on the Roof” (courtesy photo)

 

Wellesley’s Temple Beth Elohim is returning to the musical stage after more than a decade, with a new troupe aiming to build a lasting theatre tradition starting with “Fiddler on the Roof” in late April and early May.

A team of about 100 people are part of the TBE Players team bringing “Fiddler” to the synagogue as a celebration of Jewish tradition, resilience, and community. The musical is directed by Rachel Humphrey and Tess Rosen, produced by Jane Brown, and supported by Cantor Shanna Zell, staff liaison. Rehearsals take place a few days a week, and have been happening since February.

After moving to a Boston suburb during the pandemic, Humphrey joined Temple Beth Elohim in 2023 as the world re-opened. She found a community filled with theatre-lovers and experienced cast and crew members.

“Reportedly, there was a meaningful interest in starting some kind of theatre program in the synagogue for years before I came. Then I showed up, by happy coincidence… with experience running a synagogue-based theatre program, and an eagerness to try to start one here,” she says. “I didn’t know about the interest… I just wondered if they wanted my help. The rest is history!”

TBE PlayersHumphrey, who outside of TBE Players is a medical oncologist running a biotech firm, participated in theatre in high school and (after spending some time as a lead singer in rock bands) returned to the stage years later at a synagogue-based theatre group in Woodridge, Conn. She directed, produced, and/or acted in Woodridge performances, including “Fiddler,” and the last play she directed there was “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” in 2008.

It’s taken about a year to pull together the intergenerational TBE Players team, which includes both Temple Beth Elohim members and non-members, experienced cast and crew, as well as newcomers.

“When I first approached the synagogue staff to consider starting a theatre program, we all felt it was important to assemble a solid group of dedicated theatre-lovers to help ensure success,” Humphrey says. “That took time—as we made personal outreaches to folks we thought would be great additions to the team. It expanded from there by word of mouth as more people, including those who were trying theatre out for the first-time, began to join.”

The performances will also feature an assembly of talented musicians, who will be situated in an open pit to one side of the stage at Temple Beth Elohim, which will accommodate 300-plus show goers per performance.

The TBE Players will play “Fiddler on the Roof” straight—”no twists this time…”—sticking to the script, music, and choreography from the original in the 1960s. But Humphrey assures that “Fiddler,” even though it’s set in the early 1900s, will resonate for modern audiences with its themes of community and the importance of tradition and faith in a complex world.

“The themes… are just as relevant now as when the show first came out,” she says.

TBE Players’ “Fiddler on the Roof” at Temple Beth Elohim at 10 Bethel Rd., Wellesley

  • Thursday, April 30 | 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, May 2 | 7:00 pm
  • Sunday, May 3 | 4:00 pm

Tickets ($18) are available online and will be available at the door as well.

 

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Education

Wellesley Public Schools appoints Dr. Diana Guzzi as next Schofield Elementary principal

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Dr. Diana Guzzi, principal at the Bowen Elementary School in Newton for the past 17 years, has been appointed as the next principal of Wellesley’s Schofield Elementary School (27 Cedar St). Guzzi, who starts July 1, had previously been a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Newton.

She’d also recently been a candidate for a principal’s position at a Westwood elementary school, but withdrew from that process in March.

Dr. Guzzi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education from Boston College, a Master’s Degree in education with a specialization in literacy from Lesley University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston College.

Wellesley Public Schools posted the Schofield principal job opening earlier this year, as Dr. Stephen Goodwin was hired last year as principal on an interim basis.

According to state data, Schofield has enrollment of 274 students for 2025-2026.

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Today, April 9, is Local News Day in Wellesley & beyond

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While every day is Local News Day at The Swellesley Report headquarters, a coalition of journalists, nonprofit leaders, and media innovators in Wellesley and far beyond have united to promote April 9, 2026 as the official Local News Day.

The goal is to reconnect people to trusted local outlets, empower newsrooms to grow, and spark a national movement that sustains local news for generations in a world that’s become used to getting its news for free.

We’ve been publishing Swellesley in Wellesley for more than 20 years now, and have appreciated all of the community support we’ve had along the way, from news tips (not just press releases…) to photos to contributed articles. Send ’em here: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

This is our actual job. Believe us, we don’t plow through more than 12 hours of recent Annual Town Meeting proceedings entirely for the fun of it. (And what the heck are those “cost-of-living adjustments” they were talking about at Town Meeting anyway? We don’t see any of those doing what we do…)

Reader support: The financial support of readers—who since last year have been able to make tax-deductible donations thanks to our partnership with the non-profit Tiny News Collective. Donations have been career sustaining for this self-employed couple. Your contributions help us to cover costs for the glamorous stuff—web hosting, newsletter software, tech support—that enables us to do our jobs. Contributions even make a dent in our health care premiums, which have risen some 80% this year.

Advertising support: So have all the sponsorships from local businesses and non-profit organizations who advertise on our site and in our email newsletter. Their support allows us to provide the news stories we report on for free—no paywall here.

We also are thankful for state agencies (MassDOT) and town departments and bodies (Celebrations Committee, Climate Action Committee, Health Department, Natural Resources Commission, etc.) that support us by paying for legal notices and promotions. As you may or may not know, municipal governments are required by outdated state law to post their paid legal notices in “print” newspapers even though the information would reach many more people through online sites like ours. Some state reps, including Wellesley Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch, are working to change this.

Grants: New for us over the past year as well have been grants from organizations such as the Wellesley Cultural Council, Needham Bank, Truly’s, and The Village Bank. These allow us to pay stipends to student interns. We’re thankful to organizations that recognize not only non-profits are providing valuable community services, and that organizations like ours amplify what many non-profits do.

Education: We also thank Boston University and its BU Newsroom for partnering with us. This semester we have three students who as part of a journalism class have been writing for Swellesley. We’ve been in this program since last spring, and also have begun partnering with Wellesley College journalists.

Our peers: We find great cooperation among our peers running news operations in communities such as Boston, Brookline, Needham, Newton, and Lincoln. We learn from them, and vice-versa.

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Wellesley in Bloom starts May 2!

Wellesley in Bloom starts May 2!