Wellesley Veterans Parade will be one big wonderful Tea Party

January 21, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Celebrations Committee has announced that its theme for the 2023 Veterans Parade, slated for Sunday, May 21 at 1pm, will be “Birth of America: Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.”

As the Committee behind Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend summarizes: In 1773, a group of American colonists stole aboard ships of the East India Company and dumped their cargo of tea into Boston Harbor, in protest against British tax policies. The event known today as the Boston Tea Party is a significant milestone in American history.

“We are proud to honor our veterans as we organize the 55th annual Wellesley Veterans Parade in May,” Roy Switzler, Chair, Wellesley Celebrations Committee said. “We look forward to the special events held during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend and the opportunity for our community to celebrate together.”

The Wellesley Celebrations Committee was established by the Select Board to plan and carry out activities that honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend includes the Veterans Parade, a town picnic, concert and fireworks.

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Wellesley business buzz: Board business liaison phased out; Help ID top business leaders of color; Hospital taps new president

January 20, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Board business liaison phased out

During a Jan. 19 meeting at the Wellesley Police Station, the Wellesley Select Board eliminated the Business Liaison position, an assignment that currently partners Select Board member Beth Sullivan Woods with Wellesley’s business community as a whole. Over the past approximately 20 years, a liaison from the Board has served as a point person between the town’s businesses and Town Hall staff.

Demian Wendrow, president of the Wellesley Square Merchants Association and owner of London Harness, during Citizens Speak said, “We strongly oppose getting rid of the position of liaison for the merchants.” He likened such a move to taking away a line of direct communication between the town and over 100 businesses in Wellesley Square, Linden Square, and other areas of town, particularly as merchants come out of the challenges of COVID.

Board members against eliminating the Business Liaison position agreed with Wendrow that to do so would signal a loss of support from the Town.

Board members in favor of eliminating the position cited the leadership of Town staff and said that all five Select Board members were available to listen to comments and concerns and lend support at any time.

The Board voted 3-2 to eliminate the Business Liaison position with Lise Olney, Tom Ulfelder, and Colette Aufranc voting to eliminate the liaison position and Ann-Mara Lanza and Beth Sullivan Woods voting to keep the liaison.

Help identify the most influential Business Leaders of Color

The Charles River Regional Chamber is partnering with Colette Phillips Communications and Get Konnected! to compile the

50 Most Influential Business Leaders of Color list for 2023. It will recognize leaders and emerging talent within Greater Boston’s western suburbs, including Wellesley.

You can nominate candidates between now and Feb. 6. The list will be published this spring, and an event will be held to celebrate the honorees.

Hospital taps new leader

Ellen Moloney newton-wellesley — Ellen Moloney

Newton-Wellesley Hospital has named Ellen Moloney as its next president and chief operating officer, effective March 1. She succeeds Dr. Errol Norwitz. She’s actually held the COO role for the past 8 years. She will become the hospital’s first woman president.

Moloney joined Newton-Wellesley in 1997, and her accomplishments include the development and significant expansions of cancer, breast imaging, and ambulatory care services, as well as the implementation of the hospital’s electronic medical record system.

Moloney previously served as the hospital’s Director of Clinical Ancillary Services and as Senior Vice President for Outpatient Services.

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Wellesley outdoors: ‘Very robust’ lawn conversion plan taking shape; Conservation Land Trust updates

January 19, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Catching up on some of Wellesley’s outdoors-related news:

‘Very robust’ lawn conversion plan taking shape

The Natural Resource Commission this spring will begin expanding upon the lawn conversion pilot rolled out last year at Simons Park next to the main library branch on Washington Street. The effort is designed to show the beauty of ditching plain old lawn for a variety of native species in a habitat more friendly to at-risk critters, including bees and butterflies.

NRC Director Brandon Schmitt shared an update during the NRC’s Jan. 5 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording about 12 minutes in) and acknowledged being both excited and concerned about what he described as “a very robust plan” that will include a meadow, bee nesting strip, flowering grassland, and more. It sounds as though the ambitious project will be done in phases, with trees and “woodies” planted early in the process.

NRC Commissioner Michael D’Ortenzio said he’s excited about the project, which he described as a “see to believe” kind of concept that could win over people across town.

Among those likely to be most excited about the project are rabbits, who were all over the pollinator garden planted near the police station, said NRC Commissioner Laura Robert. So steps will be taken to ensure the bunnies don’t mess things up at Simons Park.

About 10,000 sq. ft. of the open space will be used for the project, leaving plenty of traditional grass for other uses.

Conservation Land Trust updates: Pickle Point work, leading guided walks, board openings

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust seeks volunteers to help carve out a new entrance trail to Pickle Point Sanctuary from the Crosstown Trail on Morses Pond. Some of the work will be heavy labor, and includes raking, brush removal, bench cutting, digging, and hauling. Weather permitting, the work is planned for Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 26-28, from 8am to 12pm each day. All tools will be provided, but bring appropriate work gloves.

The Land Trust is also launching a 4-session training program for Leading Guided Nature Walks. No prior experience or skills required—just an enthusiasm for nature and helping to share it with others. Upon completion, participants will be expected to volunteer to lead at least 2 future guided walks on Land Trust sites. Training will take place in Wellesley open space over the winter and spring. Additional training programs (Invasive Removal training and How to Monitor Conservation Properties) are in development for 2023. Fill out this form if interested.

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust has 2 openings on its 11-seat board. Members must attend monthly evening meetings (the second Tuesday of each month except July & August), volunteer on various committees, and perform activities between meetings. In you’re interested in joining the board or have questions, please email info@wellesleyconservationlandtrust.org.

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Wellesley Public Works news: A PFAS warning; Weston Road construction on tap for summer; Wood recycling hot, pricey; Town Meeting article preview

January 18, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The amount of activities handled by the Wellesley Department of Public Works can make your head spin. Even though Mother Nature has taken it easy so far this winter on the DPW, the department has a ton going on, as summarized at the Jan. 10 Board of Public Works meeting (see Wellesley Media recording).

A PFAS warning

To date, Wellesley’s primary problem with unwelcome PFAS chemicals in its drinking water has been at its Morses Pond wells, and that’s been getting treated since the summer. However, DPW Director David Cohen gave a heads up that his team is seeing “discouraging” PFAS numbers at the Longfellow/Rosemary wells, and as of Jan. 10 was bracing for December numbers that could put the town in violation of state thresholds. That would mean the town would need to go through a public notification and education process as it did when its Morses Pond numbers were too high for 3 straight months.

Wellesley gets about 150,000 gallons of water a day out of Rosemary/Longfellow, whereas it gets about 800,000 gallons a day at Morses Pond, where PFAS treatment is in effect. But the town has also been planning upgrades to the Rosemary/Longfellow site so that it could produce more like 600,000 gallons a day there.

Cohen recommended against going ahead with a $659K well replacement contract for now in light of the PFAS numbers and unclarity on the regulations front. It initially seemed like the replacement would pay for itself within a few years, but the possibility of temporary or permanent PFAS treatment has caused the town to rethink things. One possibility would be putting a contract out to bid for the Rosemary well, but not the Longfellow one, where higher PFAS numbers have surfaced.

The town continues its research into possible sources of PFAS in its water, and while the Morses Pond data is looking inconclusive, there is some indication that Wellesley might be dealing with more of a surface water than ground water situation at Rosemary, which is near Rte. 9.

The town is also continuing talks with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on building a second connection to it to allow for possibly more use of its water supply. The town relied heavily on MWRA water when the Morses Pond treatment system was down. Wellesley would prefer to rely on its own supply, giving it more control, but the emergence of PFAS has forced the town to consider different options.

This is all happening against a backdrop in which it’s unknown what sort of actions the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency might take regarding PFAS.

Weston Road construction on tap for summer

The next high profile roadway fix-up in town is set to be Weston Road, the high traffic path between Weston and Wellesley Square, with Rte. 9 in between. Weston Road was called Blossom Street back in the day, before being accepted by the town around 1950. The road has taken an expected beating given its heavy use, and the sidewalks overall are in rough condition (fortunately, beneath the road, pipes are generally in good shape). Weston Road was last given a full paving in 1986.

The DPW is already working on the design (funds were set aside for a survey, design and bidding in its FY22 capital plan) for this 3,800-foot-long road, and Wellesley plans to go out for bid on the project this spring. It will look to Town Meeting for funds—construction is estimated to cost $3.5M.

Town Engineer Dave Hickey shared a presentation with the Board of Public Works. Neighbors can expect to hear from the town on this as well, as Wellesley looks to get the project out to bid in the February-March timeframe.

The project has its fair share of challenges, including trees along the sidewalks and narrow rights of way (this, Hickey said, will make adding bike lanes difficult). The big challenge, though, might be that there is no easy way to route detours around this major north-south route that is mostly residential. Roughly 10,000 vehicles head up or down Weston Road each day. “I don’t see a way right now to get this work done without having a significant amount of it be done at night, which we hate to do in residential neighborhoods,” he said.

The hope would be to start construction in June and finish within the season.

Wood recycling hot, pricey

The Wellesley Recycling & Disposal Facility has seen about a 20% increase (vs. its budget) in wood tonnage for recycling. That’s great, as the wood is being kept out of landfills. The troubling thing is that the cost to recycle it is up 70% vs. what was budgeted. It’s unclear at this point if there’s an increase in any particular sort of wood products being brought to the RDF.

New Water & Sewer superintendent

Steve Olson was introduced as the town’s new water & sewer superintendent, succeeding longtime town employee Bill Shaughnessy, who recently retired.

Going electric

The DPW recently took delivery of its first all-electric vehicle, a 2023 Chevy Bolt partially funded with a $7,500 grant from a state grant program.

The Bolt, boasting a range of 247 miles when fully charged, will largely be used for project oversight and inspections in town.

The DPW is prepping for delivery of another 7 electric vehicles that will replace gas-powered ones.

Four charging stations have been installed at DPW headquarters.

bolt dpw — DPW’s Bolt (Town of Wellesley photo)

Town Meeting articles

DPW leaders will present their FY24 budget proposal and Annual Town Meeting warrant articles (including 1 regarding a stormwater enterprise fund) before the Advisory Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The meeting begins at 6:30 and can be viewed on cable TV and online via Wellesley Media.

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School news: Wellesley High Class of 1982 reunion set for Jan. 21; WMS Winter Choral Concert; Lots of scholarship deadlines

January 18, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., school news:

Wellesley High Class of 1982 reunion set for Jan. 21

There’s still time to sign up connect with old friends at the WHS Class of 1982 reunion, happening Saturday, Jan. 21 from 7-11pm at the Italo American Educational Club at 75 Pleasant St., in Wellesley. Registration is open for the 40th reunion event.

WMS Winter Choral Concert & WHS One Acts

The Wellesley Middle School grade 6 & 7 Winter Choral Concert will take place at the middle school auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7-8pm.

At Wellesley High School, One Acts performances will take place on Thursday and Friday from 3:30-5:30pm in the WHS Little Theatre.

TBB Scholarships deadline: Feb. 28, 2023

Reminder: TBB Scholarships, Inc., is accepting applications for scholarships from young women who will be graduating from high school in the spring of 2023. Candidates must reside in or go to school in Wellesley, Newton, or Brookline. They must have sound academic standing and be in need of financial aid.

The TBB website provides an application form and additional information. Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2023. Interviews for candidates will be held during the week of April 17 to 21.

WHJWC scholarships deadline: March 1, 2023

The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) annually awards college scholarships to both graduating high school seniors and college undergraduates. The charitable organization typically give between $60,000 and $70,000 each year, with each scholarship ranging between $1000-4,000.

Learn more about how to apply for a WHJWC scholarship.

Wellesley Scholarship Foundation deadline: March 1, 2023

The deadline to submit an application for a Wellesley Scholarship Foundation award is March 1, 2023. There are two different types of scholarship funding each year:

Need-Based Scholarships: Any Wellesley High School graduate (regardless of residence) and any Wellesley resident (regardless of school) are eligible to apply for our need-based scholarships. If demonstrated financial need exists, students are eligible to receive award funding for four years of college but MUST reapply annually and maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average.
Merit-Based Scholarships: Applicants must be high school seniors that are Wellesley residents (one male/one female) that have demonstrated a superior level of distinction in scholarship, citizenship and character, as well as strong extracurricular interests and activities. These two merit awards are renewable annually for four years provided the recipient maintains acceptable academic performance (certified with yearly college transcript) and maintains their Wellesley residency.

Last year WSF awards ranged anywhere from $500 to $15,000, with a median award of $4,000. These awards were funded by WSF dollars as well as contributions from several community partners such as Wellesley Kiwanis, Wellesley Historical Society, Wellesley Patrolmen’s Organization and Wellesley Turkey Trot Foundation.

Learn more about how to apply for a Wellesley Scholarship Foundation award.

Wellesley Educators Association Scholarships deadline: April 1, 2023

The WEA offers four scholarships:

The Future Educators Scholarship, which each year benefits one Wellesley High School senior who plans to pursue a career in education.

The Samuel M. Graves Scholarship, which benefits Wellesley High School students who have shown academic excellence and demonstrate financial need.

The Peebles Scholarship, established to honor the memory of Principal James M. Peebles who served at Wellesley Junior High School for 25 years. The scholarship benefits WEA members’ children who are graduating from any high school and pursuing further educational opportunities.

The Jennifer Rainey Memorial Scholarship, which benefits one Wellesley High School student who has demonstrated resilience, tenacity, and zest in their educational experience as an English language learner.

More information here.

Wellesley’s newest public art: Heart sculpture at Temple Beth Elohim

January 16, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley (10 Bethel Rd.) has unveiled a sculpture in its courtyard that is clearly a heart but holds so much more meaning once you take a closer look and read what the artist has to say about it.

The sculpture, from temple member and mixed media artist Caron Tabb, had previously been displayed in Boston. Wellesley is now its home thanks to a gift from Diane and Gary Glick and the Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts).

The art is titled “Prisoner a-7713: Antisemitism = Racism = Hate Sliding Back in Time Or, Did We Actually Ever Move Forward?” and was created in collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League as part of a larger “Be the Change” project in partnership with JArts.

In an interview published on the Temple Beth Elohim website, Tabb reveals that the title of the sculpture gets its name in part from the concentration camp prisoner number of Nobel laureate, author and Holocaust survive Elie Wiesel. The sculpture’s materials include concrete, chicken wire, yarn, wood and paint, all of which have meaning.

It’s unclear whether the sculpture will remain a fixture in the courtyard, says Temple Beth Elohim Communications Manager Elise Lublin, as the temple has not had such permanent art there before.

Though it sounds as though Tabb loves where it is.

“When we put it down in the courtyard at TBE, I had serious chills,” she says in the temple blog post. “I felt like first of all, it had arrived home. There was a deep sense of pride that I was able to put that piece where it is right now. That you can sit in the sanctuary and look inward and outward and think about what we have survived as a community…”