The Swellesley Report

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

Upcoming Wellesley RDF events: shredding event, paint recycling, and more

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wellesley dump
Photo by Dennis McCormick

The Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility has a few dates for you to put on your calendar. Let them help you keep things ship-shape in your home by getting rid of your old documents and paint.

Shredding event

The RDF has hired a professional, full-service document destruction company to provide this service. The company is bonded and insured, guaranteeing the highest level of security. No binders or x-rays will be accepted.

DATE: Sunday, September 23, 2018
TIME: 11am – 3pm

Paint drop-off day

Bring your old latex and oil-based alkyd paint to the Wellesley RDF for recycling at the paint shed. This is the last paint drop-off day until Spring 2019.

DATE: Saturday, October 6, 2018
TIME: 9am – 1pm

Columbus Day, RDF closed

The RDF will be closed on Monday, October 8, 2018 in observance of Columbus Day, which is a federal government holiday.

Wellesley RDF hours:

Monday – Wednesday, 7am – Noon
Thursday and Friday, 7am – 3:45pm
Saturday, 7am – 4:45pm
Sunday, through Nov: 11am – 3pm

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What’s closed in Wellesley on July 4th, and where to see fireworks

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Here’s what’s closed in Wellesley on our nation’s 242nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence:

Parking meters in Wellesley will be free.

Wellesley’s RDF will be closed.

Wellesley town offices will be closed.

Wellesley Free Library will be closed for the 4th, and closed on Sundays for summer hours through August 25.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday, so Post Offices will be closed on the 4th, and there will be no home delivery of mail. It is also an official holiday for UPS, but scheduled UPS Critical Express and UPS Holiday packages should still arrive.

Liquor stores are open.

In general, the mean streets of Wellesley are pretty quiet on and around the 4th, so if you’re looking for excitement I recommend you head over to Natick’s parade. The parade starts on July 4 at 9am at Wilson Middle School (22 Rutledge Rd.) and travels down Route 27 to the Natick Common and concludes right after St. Patrick’s Church.

We’ve enjoyed the parade a few times over the years. We like to bring our chairs and set them up toward the end of the route, just across the street from St. Patrick’s Church. That way we get a good look at all the fun while watching the parade as geographically close to Wellesley as possible, so we don’t suffer separation anxiety from our town.

Where to find fireworks displays

July 3, 9:30pm, Needham High School parking lot, 609 Webster St. They’ve also got a whole lotta fun going on all day long.

July 3, 9:30pm, Walpole at Joe Morgan Memorial Field, 22o School St.

July 4, 9pm, Newton at the Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex.

Here’s a list of every (legal) fireworks display in the state (make sure you scroll down to the second page), so whether you’re on the Cape or in the Berkshires, The Swellesley Report has the information you need. Aren’t you glad you checked in with us?

And not that we’re trying to rush the summer along or anything, but registration for the 2018 Wellesley Turkey Trot is now open. The race sold out in early November last year; sign up early to guarantee your entry.

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Take this survey for the Wellesley Cultural Council

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The Wellesley Cultural Council wants to hear from YOU!

The Wellesley Cultural Council (WCC), the local presence of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), is eager to learn what residents of Wellesley think of the state of their cultural lives in town. We on the WCC are conducting a survey of Wellesley residents to we can learn what sorts of programs and events in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences we might help fund that could possibly enrich the quality of your life in Wellesley. We would be very grateful if you would take just a few moments to complete this brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLNM2VY. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Fun fact: Mrs. Swellesley was a 2016 recipient of a Wellesley Cultural Council grant. I called my project “Wellesley Dump Art.” 

The idea behind it was simple: to create still-life arrangements on-site at the RDF  using exclusively items that came into the Give-and-Take area and flowers from my yard. I then photographed the completed arrangements. The project was part temporary installation, part performance art, and part photography shoot. It was community participation, cool tunes in the air, and a sense of fun. There were strange looks, some nervous laughter, and requests to take some of the props home (the answer: but of course!).

“A Bit Disheveled,” by Deborah Brown. This Wellesley Dump Art photographic gem currently hangs in my shed, guarded closely by chipmunks and brought out only for very special occasions.

To make it all happen, I applied to the WCC and asked for a couple hundred dollars for supplies. From there I got my approval, got the various permissions I needed from town agencies, and later turned in my receipts for reimbursement. It was easy and fun and just thinking about it again makes me want to cook up another idea. I highly recommend you unleash your inner artist, too.

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Upcoming RDF events: paint recyling, household hazardous waste day, shredding

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Saturday, May 5: Paint Recycling day:  The following materials are accepted: Interior and exterior latex paint, interior and exterior oil based alkyd paint, and solidified paint. Materials that are not accepted are: creosote and turpentine, other solvents, and unmarked containers. These materials may be brought to the RDF on Household Hazardous Products Collection Day.

Sunday, May 6: This is your opportunity to dispose of any hazardous items in your home at the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility, and to have documents shredded. Please see the attached list of items that can/cannot be brought to the RDF on this day.

Contact the Wellesley Fire Department for guidance on getting rid of explosives, fireworks,  and radioactives.

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