Wellesley residents urge opioid treatment center reps to reconsider location

October 23, 2018 by bbrown 2 Comments

wellesley bos opioids

Wellesley residents came out in force at Monday’s two-and-a-half-hour Board of Selectmen’s meeting, which was devoted to discussion of the Coleman Institute opioid and alcohol treatment center that’s readying to treat patients at a Lower Falls office building by year-end. It presented residents with their first opportunity to hear directly from the healthcare organization and for the organization to hear straight from residents about their concerns regarding the outpatient facility slated to open at 30 Washington St., nearby several schools as well as Warren Park.

While company officials heard from supporters, and were assured numerous times by residents that Wellesley is open to having a treatment facility, they mostly got an earful from parents concerned that the office is located so close to where their kids go to school and play. Parents expressed concern that addicts being treated, and those turned away, could be a threat to their kids. Parents also criticized Coleman for not engaging sooner with the community about its plans, and asked the Board of Selectmen pointed questions about why it wasn’t taking steps to at least delay the office’s opening until the community can further explore the issue.

Our report in September that the Coleman Institute would be opening caught town officials by surprise and resulted in parents organizing a meeting to hash out their concerns in anticipation of Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. The Board announced in late September that it would be inviting Coleman reps to attend its Oct. 22 meeting.

More than 100 people, some standing, jammed into Great Hall. Three reps from BayMark Health and its Coleman Institute business — including founder Dr. Peter Coleman — answered questions (through the Board of Selectmen) from more than 2 dozen citizens. The majority of those who spoke identified themselves as parents of children who attend St. John School and/or Schofield Elementary School, both situated near Coleman’s planned office. (You can watch a Wellesley Public Media recording of the meeting below.)

Doctors and other healthcare professionals were among residents and former residents who spoke. They all empathized with the need to treat addicts, though differed on whether the current location is appropriate.

Dr. Patricia Helm, a pediatrician and Wellesley resident with a child at St. John, described herself as an advocate for all children, including those affected by the opioid crisis. “My concern lies only with the specific location that the Coleman Institute has selected. There is no community that is untouched by this epidemic. This disease is in Wellesley. The [Read more…]

Wellesley Halloween activities, 2018

October 22, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Theatre Project, Halloween party, October 27

Dana Hall School of Music Halloween Open House, October 27

The Dana Hall School of Music will hold its eighth annual Halloween Open House with musical trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 27, from 2–4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Families and children of all ages are invited to come in costume. Behind every door, there will be a different instrument to explore, from piano and violin to harp and trombone. Children can participate in a musical scavenger hunt to find each instrument along with some musical trick-or-treating. There will also be a guided “rhythm instrument petting zoo” for the kids to get a chance to make some music of their own. RSVPs are requested but not required. The School of Music is located at 103 Grove Street in Wellesley. For more information, please email [email protected] or call (781) 237-6542.

Halloween Trick or Treat Parade, October 27

This fun annual event starts and ends at Clock Tower Park. Fun and games ghoul-ore.

UU Wellesley Hills Haunted Maze

When: Saturday, Oct, 27th 11am – 1pm

Location: Near the Clock tower, in front of UU Wellesley Hills, 309 Washington Street

After the Wellesley Hills Halloween Stroll, continue the fun in our monstrously mysterious maze and then stop by our treat table to recharge! Located near the clock tower in front of UU Wellesley Hills. Ages 0-8 No charge, but donations are welcome and appreciated. For more info, go to: http://uuwellesley.org/haunted-house or email [email protected].

UU Wellesley Horrific Haunted Hallway

When: Saturday, Oct, 27th 11am – 1pm

Location: 301 Washington Street, Wellesley Hills

Teen and Tweens are invited to scare up some fun in our Horrific Haunted Hallway! $5 per youth ($10 max per family) for unlimited walkthroughs. Cider and treats available for purchase. For more info, go to: http://uuwellesley.org/haunted-house or email [email protected].

Frankenstein screenings at Wellesley Free Library:
October 31, 7pm
This showing is regarded as the definitive film version of Mary Shelley’s classic tale of tragedy and horror in which ‘Frankenstein’ made unknown character actor Boris Karloff a star and created a new icon of terror. The 1931 film’s greatness stems less from its script than from the stark but moody atmosphere created by director James Whale. Frankenstein was greeted with screams, moans, and fainting spells upon its initial release, obliging Universal to add a disclaimer in which Edward Van Sloan advises the faint of heart to leave the theater immediately. If they don’t: ‘Well…we’ve warned you.’ Join us for a viewing of this classic horror tale on Halloween night! 71 min.

You’re not really going to let your kids eat all that candy, are you?

Wellesley Dental Group will hold its 11th annual Community Candy Drive to benefit the U.S. Troops serving overseas. From November 1 – November 8, they will be collecting candy, handwritten notes and cards for our soldiers. Then on November 9 at 10am, the yearly dramatic display of all the loot will take place outside of the 5 Seaward Rd. office. Schools and organizations are invited to attend.

The goal is to teach the kids lessons in giving by encouraging them to share the extra Halloween candy with our troops oversees. The packages will be sent via CarePacks, a non-profit organization, along with oral hygiene supplies.

To schedule a candy drop-off, please call (781-237-9071) or email us ([email protected]).

Have a Halloween event we haven’t mentioned above? Email us at [email protected].

Wellesley Business Buzz: Belclare block party, WMS merch, B/Spoke fundraiser for depression awareness, Halloween happenings & author visits

October 18, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Here’s a round-up of the latest Wellesley MA business news:

Belclare block party, Thursday, October 18

With the Wellesley Square Belclare retail shops spaces filling up, the new tenants have decided it’s something worth celebrating. On Thursday, October 18 starting at 5pm, stores will host special promotions and entertainment. Look for special sales at CouCou, Legit Activewear, Agnes Vision, La Mia Moda and more; hobnob at soon-to-be-opened Barber Walter’s; get a complimentary brow shaping at Lash L’Amour; and enjoy nibbles at Laer Realty. Nearby Bocado will also supply some tastees.

Get your Wellesley merch in time for the holidays

The Wellesley Middle School Online Spirit Wear store is now open until October 28. Merchandise will be delivered in time for the holidays.

B/Spoke riders to raise funds for depression awareness

The public is invited to take a B/Spoke fitness class at 4:15pm on Tuesday, Oct. 23 to raise funds for the Mass General Hospital Department of Psychiatry’s Depression Clinical & Research Program (DCRP). All proceeds will go to DCRP.

Following class, you can stay for refreshments & brief remarks from MGH reps. You can sign up for the riding class at the 50 Central St., studio as well as donate directly to DCRP as a member of the B/SPOKE or Wellesley community.

All the spooky Wellesley Halloween happenings

Don’t miss out on the fun. Find out about all the spooky Wellesley Halloween happenings here.

Pumpkin Fair, House Decorating Contest, Frankenstein screenings, Trick-or-Treat parade, Haunted Maze, Horrific Haunted Hallway, Cheer’oween Clinic, and what to do with all that candy.

Upcoming author visits in Wellesley

Wellesley Books will host picture book authors Josh Funk, Emilie Boon, Ioana Hobai, Nancy Tupper Ling, & Annie Cronin Romano; middle-grade authors Elly Swartz, Sarah Jean Horwitz, Lauren Magaziner, Susan Tan, & Jarrett Lerner; and former New York Times writer and Valley Forge author Tom Clavin.

More details on Wellesley Books author visits

More: Past editions of Wellesley Business Buzz

Got other Wellesley business tips on openings, closings or whatever, feel free to email us here: [email protected]

You can also email us if you’re interested in sponsoring our weekly Wellesley Business Buzz roundup.

Planned Wellesley opioid detox center near schools prompts parents to launch petition

October 13, 2018 by bbrown Leave a Comment

BayMark Health Services’ plan to open an opioid treatment center in Wellesley Lower Falls has spurred concerned parents to launch a Change.org petition aimed at stopping the facility from being located too close to schools for their comfort. The petition starts off: “The Wellesley Concerned Parents need your support to oppose the operation of a drug addiction detox facility in close proximity to our schools and parks!”

The Coleman Institute, which uses a combination of Naltrexone therapy and long-term case management to lead patients to recovery, would be located at 30 Washington St., not far from the St. John School, Schofield Elementary School, a couple of nursery schools and Warren Park. The center would serve as a regional facility, according to BayMark.

Concerned parents met recently to air their thoughts in advance of a Wellesley Board of Selectmen meeting on Oct. 22 to which Coleman reps have been invited. One of the group’s missions will be to ask the town “to amend the zoning bylaws to prevent drug addiction detox/treatment facilities from operating within proximity to our schools and parks.”

The group states that access to opioid treatment is needed, just in another location in town or elsewhere.

BayMark has been planning to open its facility by the end of next month. As the Swellesley Report first reported in September, BayMark has more than a dozen Coleman Institutes across the country in many major cities, and has been operating such facilities for about 20 years.

When we first reported the story, Coleman’s impending arrival was news to town officials, though the Board of Selectmen acknowledged BayMark’s plans and residnts’ concerns in a statement issued at the start of its meeting the following week.

Elmwood Christian Pre-school Open House in Wellesley, October 16

October 12, 2018 by admin 1 Comment