We visited the Wellesley RDF for some aromatherapy—seriously

January 31, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Right now, the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility is the most fragrant place in town. In a good way. When we stopped by to deal with our weekly transfer station chores, we inhaled the freshest, most invigorating pine-y aroma as we separated glass from cans, and chipboard from newspapers (whatever those are). As we rounded the corner en route to the trash compactor, we found the scent source. A mountain of discarded Christmas trees towered over the adjacent leaf litter and grass clippings. It was at once both beautiful and sad.

We’re always on the lookout for a bargain to share with our readers. The Wellesley RDF’s self-serve aromatherapy treatments are hot (and free) right now.

Next time you’re at the RDF breathe in the fresh smell. I’m telling you, it’s as restorative as forest bathing. It’s OK to get out of your vehicle and admire the trees. Consider thanking them for their holiday-time service and for all the happiness they brought to Wellesley families.

Just don’t try to walk through the “forest.” Wandering around the yard waste disposal area is strictly against RDF rules. Apparently tripping hazards outweigh the potential health benefits. But you may gaze upon the scene and inhale…exhale. When you’re later asked why you exude such serenity, just smile. Only you need to know about the RDF pine tree pile, the cheapest aromatherapy option out there.

Never say we don’t have a nose for news.

Wellesley RDF hours

Monday-Wednesday, 7am-noon
Thursday-Saturday, 7am-3:45pm
Sunday-closed (Sunday hours will resume in April)

Please support our independent journalism venture

Does Wellesley need a new traffic light? Slow down before you drive to any conclusions

January 25, 2023 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

The Town of Wellesley is mulling over the pros and cons of installing a traffic light at what might be the toughest meeting place in town—the Cedar, Hastings, and Hunnewell intersection. That challenging area near Fiske Elementary School brings not only upwards of 7,000 vehicles a day, but a lot of baggage to the discussion on what do do with them all.

As things stand right now, the Town must decide if installing a traffic light would be significantly beneficial in this complicated location, and they’re looking for residents’ input. Share your thoughts at a Zoom meeting on Monday, Jan. 30 at 6:00 p.m. Please sign up in advance.

intersection hunnewell hastings

Where the rubber meets the road

In a report from the town’s Traffic Committee, a laundry list of challenges at the busy roadway were ticked off. Poor sight lines. The awkward geometry of the roadway. Ingrained behaviors of those who travel the route.

The town has looked at installing a mirror to aid drivers. Apparently, that wouldn’t be pretty. “A mirror is not a solution at this location based upon the sight distance, speed and volume of vehicles,” the Traffic Committee said in its report.

How about a roundabout? The research suggests that could work for the nameless, faceless 7,000 who zip through the current intersection daily. But for the six Wellesley homeowners who would have to give up significant land to the town to make a roundabout work? Not so much.

What about speed bumps? The Wellesley Traffic Committee isn’t a fan, citing expected limited effectiveness as well as undesirable results such as increased noise and exhaust, as well as vehicle damage.

How about one of those flashing yellow lights? The Committee says a flashing yellow light would likely have little to no effect on driver behavior. Seems the regulars know the terrain, they navigate it in their own way, and are unlikely to be bossed around by the kind of light that, let’s face it, most people take as a suggestion.

Perhaps make Hastings Street a one-way from Cedar St. toward Fiske School? The Committee says such a plan “would create less overall traffic at the intersection, since there would no longer be exiting traffic. It would remove the uncomfortable turn exiting Hastings St, thereby removing the most difficult sight lines for turning.”

Good points, but the Committee also points out that Hastings Street residents would have to leave their homes only in one direction, and Fiske school traffic would be forced onto surrounding streets. Doesn’t sound like a plan for neighborhood harmony.

The Committee, feeling that there are limited options to mitigating concerns at this intersection, is seeking a resolution that is, at the very least, “significantly beneficial at this location.” A full-blown traffic light could go up. Calling it a solution to the problem would be a stretch. The good news: ease of entering and exiting the minor roads (Hasting/McLean) would likely improve with the addition of a fully signalized traffic light. The bad news: the roadway sight lines are poor, which could cause an increase in rear end collisions. Traffic backups are likely, as is an increase in emissions from stop-and-go traffic.

This call-and-response of “here’s an idea” and “here’s why it won’t work” is what the Committee is talking about when they said in their report, “Addressing one situation will likely cause the worsening of a different situation.”

Share your thoughts at a Zoom meeting on Monday, Jan. 30 at 6p.m. Please sign up in advance.

If you are unable to take part in the Zoom meeting, please email comments to dpw@wellesleyma.gov

A swell memory

If you sense that Mrs. Swellesley seems just a teensy bit more excited about traffic reporting than your average journalist, you’d be right. Her dad was a transportation engineer for the City of New Haven. Working through thorny traffic problems like the one above was regular dinner conversation. By the time I could see over the dash of the family Oldsmobile, I could point out a jug-handle turn; tell you why a particular intersection experienced high-efficient (or low-efficient) traffic flow; and knew why signs that said, “don’t event THINK of parking here” weren’t funny. Answer: parking is serious business, not a joke, missy.

Keep the clouds moving in a free-flow manner up there, dad.

Wellesley town-wide office candidates for 2023 election

January 18, 2023 by Deborah Brown

Candidates seeking town-wide office in Wellesley had until Jan. 17 to collect 50 signatures in support of their candidacy and turn in their nomination papers to the Town Clerk. Below is the list of those willing to contribute their time and talents to the town’s local government.

A few things to note… the order in the table below is based on when candidates pulled nomination papers. The ballot order will be determined by a random drawing on Feb. 1. And yes, there will be no candidates on the ballot for Recreation Commission.

Voters will have a handful of contested races to mull, including Select Board, School Committee, and Natural Resources Commission.

Forgot to turn in your nomination papers but still want to run for town-wide office? A pathway is still open. Residents interested in being write-in candidates are encouraged to declare their intent with the Town Clerk prior to the March 7, 2023 election.

Subscribe to Swellesley’s daily email
This is just one of many Town Election 2023 posts we’re planning. Please elect to contribute to Swellesley, and help us run on more than our journalistic ideals.

Beyond Wellesley: All were welcomed to Needham MLK Day celebration

January 17, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

In past years Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was celebrated in Wellesley at a community-wide breakfast sponsored by World of Wellesley (WOW), in partnership with other groups that varied year to year. Although remembrances in Wellesley for Dr. King were held virtually in 2021 and 2022, WOW took a pause on putting together an in-person event for 2023.

MLK Day 2023, Needham — Keynote speaker Michael D. O’ Neal and Odessa Sanchez, who attended the MLK Day event as a representative of the Wellesley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce.

Since sticking close to home for an in-person program honoring the civil rights leader wasn’t an option this year, many Wellesley residents instead attended the Needham Diversity Initiative‘s observances of the national holiday at Needham High School. We heard the program was wonderful, which is unsurprising given that part of the grassroots organization’s mission is to create “positive and genuine relationships, friendships, and amity between individuals, communities, and institutions.”

The program featured keynote speaker and Needham resident Michael O’Neal. The Needham High School graduate is a professional life coach, and has served as director of the Young Fathers’ Program at the Urban League.

Also part of the MLK Day celebration: a dramatization of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, by the Eliot Elementary School chorus; music by the Plugged In Teen Band program; a reading segment by WOW co-president Rama Ramaswamy of MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail;” and more.

Thanks to the Initiative for welcoming your neighbors.

More: Natick celebrates spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wellesley business buzz: Lululemon has relaxed opening; FIXT Dental bites on additional space; Starbucks bucking for expanded hours

January 12, 2023 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Lululemon has relaxed opening

Fashion retailer Lululemon has opened a 4,500 sq. ft. goldmine—er, shop—at 50 D Central St. in Wellesley Square. The Vancouver-based business has had a rabid following for years among Wellesley fashionistas who want to look good but stay comfortable while attending Zoom meetings, running errands, and yes, working out.

Lululemon, Wellesley Square — There are so many different styles on Lululemon’s wall ‘o leggings, we couldn’t fit them all into the picture.

Perhaps best of all is the addition to the retail landscape of a sizable men’s section. Lululemon joins Orvis in Linden Square and the recently reopened E.A. Davis on Washington St. in helping to fill the void in menswear left when the Gap moved out in 2020

FIXT Dental bites on the real estate left open by LAER Realty

After about five years in Wellesley, Laer Realty Partners, which has a presence from here to Florida including about two dozen offices Massachusetts, has closed its office in the Belclare complex in Wellesley Square.

FIXT Dental, Wellesley — Drs. Jason Tubo (right) and Marc Bou-Abboud at FIXT’s grand opening last year.

FIXT Dental (590 Washington St., across from Smith & Wollensky), which opened under the leadership of Dr. Jason Tubo in 2022, snapped up the space adjacent to their already commodious office. Seems that the dental practice recently hired a full-time ceramicist who needs space to work creating crowns, bridgework, veneers, and more on-site.

Starbucks bucking for expanded hours

The limited hours of the Wellesley Square Starbucks over the past year (the shop temporarily closed in November 2022 due to the hiring squeeze) has had coffee lovers looking for caffeine in the downtown area in a bind. Although the location has been opened at least during mornings for some time now, a sign on the door has updated customers on the current situation. Through Jan 22, hours will be 6:30am-noon, and mobile order pickup will end at 11:30am. The good news: management says for now afternoon hours will be devoted to training new staff, “so that we may open again with full hours.”

So if you find the doors are locked at Starbucks in Wellesley Square, but you see people in there who look perfectly able to pour you a chai latte, don’t pound on the door in desperation. Have patience. Barista reinforcements are coming.

Here’s all you need to know about Wellesley’s 50+ dining options.

How to advertise on Swellesley

Wellesley Educators Association takes its case to the community in public webinar

January 10, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Educators Association (WEA), frustrated by working without a contract since last summer, and by the School Committee’s recent move to file with the State for mediation, held a public webinar on Jan. 4 to plead its case to the community. About a dozen WEA members and panelists were on hand to make a presentation explaining point-by-point their “Fair Five” contract campaign, and to field questions from among the 67 attendees.

Wellesley Educators Association, Hardy School. Photo credit: WEA Twitter feed — Wellesley Educators Association, Hardy School, during an end-of-day walk-out on Friday, Dec. 2. Photo credit: WEA Twitter feed

In a Dec. 7 email notification to Wellesley Public Schools families regarding the decision to file for mediation, the School Committee said although the two sides have reached agreement on a significant number of contract points, “we have been unable to make further progress on the remaining items. As such, we believe negotiations are at an impasse…”

The WEA, which wants to return to the bargaining table, couldn’t disagree more, and in response exercised its right to file for an objection to mediation with the State.

The School Committee’s request for mediation and the WEA’s objection to such will be reviewed by the state’s Department of Labor Relations, which will direct the two sides to either return to the bargaining table (the WEA’s preference) or accept the step of working with a mediator to come to an agreement (the School Committee’s preference).

The WEA’s “Fair Five Now” platform spans issues such as parental leave; due process during individual contract disputes; wages (particularly for teaching assistants and paraprofessionals); prep time for elementary school teachers; and specialists’ scheduling. The WEA provides details on its website.

The School Committee says that it does not comment on in-process contract negotiations. Linda Chow, vice chair of the School Committee, in an email said, “Out of respect for the process, no members of the administration or School Committee were in attendance at last night’s webinar. We do not have information on when mediation might begin. We do know that the WEA has filed an objection to our petition for mediation with the Department of Labor Relations. We are waiting to hear from the DLR about next steps. The School Committee believes that a neutral mediator can help resolve the impasse we have with the WEA to reach a fair settlement. We are looking forward to the process and hope to reach agreements as soon as possible.”

The School Committee held an executive session (behind closed doors) on Tuesday, Jan. 10 to discuss its collective bargaining strategy.

What families wanted to know

During the Q&A part of the one-hour WEA webinar, families asked for details about the proposed parental leave. “So what is it that staff is looking for? Is it one month? Three months?” asked one attendee.

Kyle Gekopi, president of the 713-member WEA union, took on that question. “We’re asking for eight paid weeks that are not taken out of vacation, not taken out of sick time. These are paid parental weeks. And then an additional four taken with sick days,” for an all-encompassing 12 weeks of parental leave.

He noted that some school systems have opted into the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave program that took effect Jan. 1, 2021, however, Wellesley was not one of them. That program, funded through employee and employer contributions, offers up to 26 weeks of paid leave for family or medical reasons to eligible employees in Massachusetts.

Another question on families’ minds concerned the financial implications and the budget limitations of the WEA’s asks.

WEA union member Ryan Liacos kicked the money question back to the audience member, suggesting they ask the School Committee about the budget implications of the union’s requests. “I think they’re having a similar forum tomorrow. That would be an awesome question to ask them.”

Although the School Committee did, indeed, hold a meeting the next day for high school families, it was part of its regular and informal school-by-school Q&A tour, not a public forum put together in response to the WEA webinar. The School Committee says that it does not publicly discuss in-process contract negotiations. (A source tells us that a hot topic at that meeting was standards-based grading at the high school.)

Liacos said questions premised on budgetary and funding concerns “kind of implies that there’s a ceiling that you can put on paying a living wage for people. Wellesley Education Association is not going to settle for less than a living wage for our educators, and that’s kind of the bottom line. Budget funding shouldn’t come into play when we’re talking about a living wage for our educators.”

Families also wanted to know, in the opinion of the WEA, where cuts could be made. Professional development was one area where educators thought money was being wasted. “We spend a lot of money on professional development,” one educator said, questioning the wisdom of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on programs of questionable value rather than “still not paying for our teachers working with our most vulnerable students.”

The “S” word

Yes, the word “strike” came out in response to an audience question. It’s a step no one seems to have an appetite for. Not the educators on the panel who stressed over and over how much they loved their jobs, their students, the families. Not families who stressed over and over how much they respected educators and the jobs they did.

“That’s the last thing we want to do,” said elementary school music teacher Matthew Polletto. “We absolutely want to avoid that, which is why we’re reaching out to you.”

Desperate times, desperate measures

Hardy Elementary 3rd grade teacher Karen Poole laid it on the line for webinar attendees. “We love what we do, that’s why we do it. We’ve been through a lot, especially during the pandemic, and one of the things that really struck us as educators is how much kid had to change, parents had to change, educators had to change.”

She said during the pandemic they felt the community’s support.

“With this contract, Poole said, “what makes it really difficult is that we feel that the School Committee is not behind us, that they don’t value us, they don’t value the work that we do. So we’re reaching out to you tonight to get your support. Although we love what we do, we can’t continue to be taken advantage of. We need to stand up for what’s right.”

Next steps

Besides waiting for the Department of Labor Relations’ decision on whether a mediator will get involved in contract negotiations, the WEA will continue their protests by wearing their red WEA shirts on Wednesdays, and black on Fridays with the sticker indicating the number of days without a contract. Bumper stickers, yard signs, and additional action steps may follow.

We love it when school parents/guardians/students pass along school memos to us (they are public records): theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Wellesley Fire Chief Rick DeLorie caps off a 30-year career with department

January 6, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

At a farewell ceremony to mark the retirement of Wellesley Fire Chief Rick DeLorie, over 200 friends, family members, fire chiefs from all over the state, and town employees gathered to say goodbye at the Wellesley Fire Department headquarters on Route 9. DeLorie spent 30 years with the WFD, 14 of those as the top dog leading the town’s 50+ firefighters, administrators, and the special services team.

Wellesley fire department, Rick DeLorie — Select Board members present retiring fire chief Rick DeLorie with a resolution and a framed picture. From left: Rick DeLorie; Colette Aufranc; Tom Ulfelder; Ann-Mara Lanza; Beth Sullivan Woods; and Lise Olney. Photo credit: Stephanie Hawkinson

During a light-hearted ceremony, DeLorie was roasted, applauded, and thanked as he showed up in a professional capacity for Wellesley one last time, looking natty in his dress blues. All DeLorie could do was chuckle warmly when he was tweaked by speakers eager to sing his praises (with a dash of pester).

I’ll spell it out for you

Superintendent David Lussier noted DeLorie’s faithful participation in the yearly town spelling bee, as well as his lackluster performance. “We all had to tell him there was only one ‘r’ in fire,” Lussier said before bragging that “we couldn’t be prouder of our graduate of Wellesley public schools.”

Police Chief Jack Pilecki, never one to miss a chance to give Rick the business, this time delivered accolades. Pilecki’s so-long basically boiled down to one big lug punching another big lug in the arm so neither one would burst out in tears.

DeLorie climbed many ladders during his career. Some led into burning buildings. Some led to a bachelors and a masters degree from Framingham State. But the one that led to the job as chief was the ladder that most allowed DeLorie to bring others up with him. Whether he was somehow procuring rare personal protective equipment for his department and residents during COVID, serving in industry positions, such as chair of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, and metro chief of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, or working with the Special Olympics, the needs of others always came first.

Some parting gifts

Before the program was done, DeLorie had been given certificates galore (from the Select Board and from Representative Alice Peisch’s office); received swag bags of doodads; and was sent off with wardrobe additions of sweatshirts and t-shirts to wear in retirement.

At the end of the program, DeLorie delivered remarks. Now that he’s leaving, I can admit it. Rick, I’ve never been able to understand a word you said when you spoke into a microphone. So no direct quotes from Rick in this story. But I’m willing to wager he thanked one and all profusely.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Swellesley Report (Wellesley) (@theswellesleyreport)

Subscribe to Swellesley’s daily email
Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
If you like what we do and want to help, please consider making a completely non-deductible contribution