Wellesley Business Buzz: An even less industrial town

December 17, 2018 by bbrown Leave a Comment

Here’s a round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Wellesley industrial taxpayers dwindling

Not that Wellesley is known as an industrial superpower, but in 2019, the town’s base of 3 taxpaying industrial properties will be down to 2 next year, according to the Board of Assessors.

John G. Shelley, a rubber and related products maker hidden away on Mica Lane in Lower Falls and in business since 1927, sold its assets to Greene Rubber at the end of 2016. The building is being converted to offices. We tried over the years to get a tour of John G. Shelley, but its contact info proved to be a black hole for us at least.

Shelley rubber plastics — John G. Shelley plant: A shell of its former self

The remaining industrial properties in town are Boston Gas at 66 Walnut St., and Verizon New England at 11 Laurel Ave.

Nearly nine-tenths of the property value in Wellesley is residential, according to the Assessor’s office.

Wellesley Merchants Holiday Stroll Scavenger Hunt winners

The annual Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association Holiday Stroll was a little extra jolly and festive for the five winners of the Scavenger Hunt. They include some very happy people from Holliston, Wellesley and Weston. Each winner walked away with $1,000 in gift certificates provided by 42 Wellesley Square merchants. Now that was worth the hunt.

Welleslely Square, Scavenger Hunt — The Duffy family from Wellesley celebrates their big Holiday Stroll Scavenger Hunt
win. John (Dad) and Lisa (Mom), with Bridget and Connor.

Town buzz — NRC gets new Environmental Education & Outreach Coordinator

The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission welcomes Lisa Moore as its new Education and Outreach Coordinator. Moore is a Wellesley resident and has taught biology and environmental science for more than 20 years. She is currently a teacher naturalist for Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary and the Naturalist in Residence at Pine Hill Elementary School in Sherborn. Moore looks forward to sharing information about the NRC’s environmental education and conservation efforts. She can be reached at 781-431-1019 ext. 2290, or by email at [email protected]

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Free home energy savings seminar at Tolles Parsons Center, December 19

December 14, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Winter heating costs have you worried? Do you want to cut your utility bills?

Learn ways to reduce your energy usage and make your home more comfortable and efficient. The seminar will review available programs that help you reduce energy usage. The 2018 Town Wide Energy Assessment Campaign sponsored by the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant and National Grid is offering no-cost energy audits, free light bulbs and significant rebates and assistance on insulation, heating equipment and appliances. The seminar will familiarize you with the audit process

You are encouraged to bring your oil, gas and electric bills with you. Volunteers will help you determine your benchmark energy rating and assist with the audit process.

WHEN: The seminar will be held Wednesday, December 19th

TIME: 1pm – 2 pm

WHERE: Tolles Parsons Center, 500 Washington St. Wellesley.

Sign-up with the Council On Aging at 781-235-3961. Walk-ins are welcome.

This program is sponsored by the Wellesley Sustainable Energy Committee.

Wellesley vernal pool boardwalk construction about to begin

December 13, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) project to enhance the vernal pool at the North 40 with a boardwalk and a stone dust path will break ground any day now. A group of core volunteers will meet at the site Friday morning to assess site conditions and make plans for moving forward. The project, which was approved by the Wetlands Protection Committee and the Design Review Board, will feature a boardwalk and educational signage that will be accessible from Turner Rd., which is located off Weston Rd.

Wellesley North 40 Vernal Pool. Photo credit: Rotary Club of Wellesley

The North 40 Vernal Boardwalk Narrative put together by the NRC lays out the primary reasons for proposing the work. According to the Narrative, the main goals of the project are to improve accessibility to the North 40 for users of all abilities including those with limited mobility, young children, and users with strollers; enhance visitor access to the vernal pool while preventing user impacts to native vegetation; and allow visitors to experience the vernal pool and adjacent wetlands with a wildlife viewing.

In addition, the platform that will overlook the resource area is intended to improve the trail connection within the North 40 for use in all seasons; promote stewardship and appreciation for the Town’s other vernal pools; and guide visitors to stay on the path so that the site is conserved and protected from overuse (i.e.soil compaction, which is a disturbance that can encourage the growth of invasive species).

I checked in with NRC Director Brandon Schmitt for more info, and here’s what he said about the project:

The Swellesley Report: How long will the boardwalk be. What will be its start and end points?
Schmitt: The actual boardwalk is flanked on either side by a stone dust path similar to that at Fuller Brook park that runs from Turner Road to the North end of the Weston Rd. Community Gardens. The stone dust path sections were installed by the DPW this fall. Once the path enters the 100’ buffer zone around the Vernal pool, it will be a raised boardwalk that will travel approximately 400 feet.

SW: Who will build it?
Schmitt: Besides the aforementioned stone dust path that was installed by the Department of Public Works (DPW), the plan is for this to be a 100% volunteer led effort. There may be some finish work that may require the DPW’s expertise, but we anticipate the majority of work to be done by volunteers.

SW: What type of volunteer opportunities will be available for the project?
Schmitt: We will need volunteers to help construction of the board walk, including minimal brush clearing in areas, installation of the helical piers and framework, and then decking. We will also be looking for input on the educational signage. Interested volunteers can sign up either by contacting the NRC or through the Wellesley Rotary Club.

SW: When do you anticipate that it will be completed?
Schmitt: This is unclear at this point, as the weather will play a big factor, as well as the fact that we will need to halt construction in the spring so as not to affect the reptilian and amphibian residents of the pond.

SW: How is the project being funded?
Schmitt: This project was funded entirely by the Wellesley Community Preservation Committee (CPC), and we are very grateful for their support. The funding was completed in two stages. The CPC funded an initial $15,000 for design in FY18 and another $50,000 for construction this fiscal year. We did save funds by having the design completed free of charge by resident Bill Giezentanner, and expect the project to cost less than the total $65,000 that has been allocated.

SW: Do you anticipate that it will become part of the EcoCamp experience?
Schmitt: This is also unclear. We have not discussed this with the Wellesley Conservation council, but it’s definitely a possibility.

Private school spotlight: Charles River School in Dover

December 13, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: Regardless of age or grade, students at Charles River School in Dover experience hands-on science with real-world applications as part of the curriculum. Experiences like these are supported by the school’s innovative curriculum and unique facilities like its Wetlands Lab and state-of-the-art middle school science lab.

For example, 5th graders are participating in a Citizen Science project supporting and monitoring the presence of salamanders in the CRS Wetlands Laboratory, and sharing their findings with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Students measured a 10-meter by 5-meter transect near the school’s vernal pool, placed 50 untreated pine boards within the space, and monitored the areas beneath the boards for the presence of salamanders. Since salamanders are an indicator species that helps gauge the health of a wetland, the students have been excited to document the salamander sacs beneath the boards.

Charles River School, Dover — Students participate in a Citizen Science project that supports and monitors the presence of salamanders in the CRS Wetlands Laboratory,

This fall, middle school students have undertaken a collaborative, cross-disciplinary study of climate change in their science and social studies classes. They have explored evidence of climate change and both human and natural causes of it, and researched climate-related policies in countries around the world. “The students are gaining an understanding not just of the science involved, but also the practical application of scientific knowledge,” explains teacher Chris Raskin. The unit’s culminating project will be a Model United Nations simulation held at the Dover Town Hall where students will represent points of view from various international governments, and also demonstrate a deep understanding of the science behind the policies.

Call the Admissions Office to learn more or to plan a visit:508-785-0068, or email [email protected] CRS is also hosting drop-in Information Sessions on December 14 and January 11.

Wellesley DPW director retires after almost 20 years on the job

December 12, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

He’s tried hard to keep a pretty low profile for almost two decades, but at his retirement celebration last night departing Wellesley Department of Public Works director Mike Pakstis finally got the attention he never sought. Although not a limelight kind of guy, Pakstis nevertheless dressed up for his party and went out in style after 19 years with the Town. Current and former town officials and staff, DPW board members, local legislators and residents were on hand to recognize Pakstis for his outstanding leadership and many achievements that have benefitted the town.

Mike Pakstis, Wellesley — Dave Hickey, Town Engineer; Mike Pakstis; Dave Cohen, Assistant DPW Director. Photo credit: SH

“Mike has helped us restore the reputation of the DPW as a very efficient and responsive organization with a business management focus,” said long-time DPW board member Dave Donohue. “He has achieved so many significant milestones for Wellesley and we are all very grateful.” Board chair Jeff Wechsler and vice chair Paul Criswell also shared comments about Mike’s warmth and expertise.

Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Norfolk) presented Mike with a proclamation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the DPW honored him with his own Wellesley street sign and a promise not to bother him during the next blizzard. A new DPW director has not yet been named.

Wellesley projects that benefitted from the Pakstis Pizzazz:

Sprague playing fields
Hunnewell Athletic Complex
Fuller Brook Park
DPW facility
Wellesley’s state-of-the-art Recycling and Disposal Facility

This is only a partial list, mind you. We could go on (and on, and on), but Mike’s embarrassed enough already by all the attention.

Our personal favorite Mike Pakstis moment took place in September of 2013, when he and the DPW’s Mike Quinn gave us an exclusive look inside the Sprague Clock Tower at Elm Park in Wellesley Hills.

Thanks for everything, Mike. We wish you well.