Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
The Wellesley Town Clerk serves as the official record keeper for Town Meeting and Vital Records and the Administration of Elections and voter related activities.
Town Clerk serves for a 3-year term and is the only elected official in Wellesley who draws a salary.
Wellesley’s current Town Clerk is KC Kato. Her term expires in 2027.
A sampling of Wellesley, Mass., meetings and agenda items for the week of March 16, 2026:
Moderator’s meeting for Annual Town Meeting (March 19, 9am, town hall)
Open meeting(s) for Select Board and any other board(s) with a majority present; Moderator’s Introduction; Develop essential information for Annual Town Meeting Articles/Motions Maker(s) of Motion(s) Presenter(s) Time requested/allowed
Council on Aging Board (March 19, 4pm, Tolles Parsons Center, 500 Washington St.)
Chairs report: Board Member Appointments Consultant for Strategic Plan Wonderful Wellesley Weekend and Veterans Parade Richard Campana Kitchen Dedication. Director search subcommittee update; Programming for Kitchen
The Wellesley Select Board on March 10 spent most of its roughly two-hour meeting on possible traffic implications of a new bank planned in lower falls at the former Taylor Rental site at 26 Washington St. (see Wellesley Media recording).
First Citizens Bank plans to tear down the existing structure and build a new two-story one that will mainly be used for commercial banking when it opens in a couple of years. Its redevelopment effort is considered a Project of Significant Impact (PSI) in town, and is going through a thorough town approvals process, including a PSI Special Permit public hearing at the Planning Board (see Wellesley Media recording of March 9 meeting).
As part of that process, the Select Board reviews plans for pedestrian and traffic safety, and makes recommendations to the Planning Board. At its March 10 meeting, the Select Board approved a peer review by Tighe & Bond of the bank’s own traffic assessment as being professionally conducted. During the meeting, First Citizens reps outlined their responses to that peer review.
Overall, the board was impressed with the thoroughness of First Citizens Bank’s transportation analysis, which took into account current and forecasted traffic volumes, intersection impacts, crash data, and more.
The board also complimented the proposed design of the building, which takes inspiration from existing Wellesley structures, including the Sprague Memorial Clock Tower at Elm Park and a nearby church. Among the other property changes: Consolidating two existing driveways to one.
One area of confusion over the transportation analysis, and estimated new trips generated, resulted from First Citizens using Institute of Transportation Engineers data for drive-in banks (like retail ones) vs. walk-in banks, as this more business oriented office will be. As First Citizens and the peer reviewer explained, there’s limited industry standard data available for businesses like this to use. So the estimated 834 new daily trips presented by First Citizens is likely much higher than what will actually be. Plans are for the bank to operate 9am-5pm weekdays, and to be closed on weekends.
First Citizens reps acknowledged that stretch of Washington Street, in between Glen Road and River Street, gets congested, though claimed its project would have little impact on the current traffic situation.
The board also addressed the issue of being able to take left turns out of the future bank site, as the peer review had recommended considering this not being allowed. Board members spoke out against such a restriction, noting that left-hand turns, while challenging, are allowed for other businesses along the strip. So it wouldn’t be fair to saddle the bank with such a restriction.
Questions were also raised related to this project’s impact within the context of other possible developments in the area, but First Citizens reps said there isn’t enough in the way of actual plans for developments available to do that.
The Select Board meeting began with three citizens encouraging the board to allow the continued display of Wellesley resident and Council on Aging patron art at the Tolles Parsons Center, home of the Council on Aging (the Select Board had also received emails on the topic). Mark Maiden, a COA volunteer art co-ordinator, said more than 200 pieces of art by 30-plus Wellesley residents and COA patrons have been displayed in recent years. Concerns had been circulating ahead of the meeting about the current displays possibly having to be removed.
Select Board member Colette Aufranc, liaison to the COA, addressed the issue toward the end of the meeting. She said the Select Board was approached by the COA Board in 2024 to help with their policy on art displays in the Tolles Parsons Center; there had been some tension about how art from COA patrons and from outside bodies was being displayed. The Select Board in mid-2024 discussed the need to develop a building use policy, and voted at that point to only allow art created during COA classes at the Tolles Parsons Center pending development and adoption of a formal building use policy by the Select Board (the Tolles Parsons Center is under the care, custody, and control of the Select Board). The board’s policy subcommittee subsequently took up the issue of a building use policy and the board early last year shared feedback on a first read, said Aufranc, who added that at a high level there are complications in displaying art in government-owned buildings related to allowance for free speech. Work continues on the policy.
“We want to make sure we work with the building users, and the Council on Aging is one of them, to understand what is it that the Council on Aging would like to achieve in displaying art, what are they trying to do for their patron population, and we would try to work to develop a policy that does that,” Aufranc said.
Aufranc said she recently reminded COA leadership of the rules in place, and to keep the m in mind for future displays as the Select Board works on a building use policy. The Select Board is not asking the COA to remove any current art, nor has it talked about doing so, she said.
Also at the meeting:
The Wellesley Board of Public Works at its March 9 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording) covered everything from drought status to projected water and sewer rate hikes to Annual Town Meeting prep.
Department of Public Works Director David Cohen said two Massachusetts regions adjacent to the one Wellesley is part of—Southeast—have been upgraded to Level 3 drought status by the Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA), while Wellesley’s region remains at Level 2. The drought upgrades, Cohen said, are “shocking to me, but that’s what the data tells them.” Wellesley property owners remain limited to one day of outdoor watering per week, and handheld watering at that. We might not quite be at outdoor watering season anyway, but spring’s coming fast. “I’m hoping by the time we come to April something changes, but I’m not terribly optimistic that’s what we’re going to see,” he said. EEA issues monthly updates on drought status.
Getting into the habit of reduced water usage could pay off for Wellesley property owners anyway with sharp rate hikes anticipated for water (20% for FY27 and perhaps 15% for FY28) and sewer (6% for FY27)—this could mean an average increase of about $213 in the coming fiscal year that begins in July. The good news is that stormwater management fees are holding steady.
Planned capital expenses for PFAS (aka, forever chemicals) treatment for the public water supply and establishing a second connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) are mainly behind the expected rate increases. “Our revenue’s not going to be enough to cover the cost of the ongoing program,” Cohen said, adding that more details will be forthcoming at a future board meeting, where different options will be presented. Receipt of additional PFAS settlement funds with manufacturers responsible for the spread of PFAS could whittle down Wellesley rate increases a bit.
The Board also heard updates on contracts, including for automated gates at the entrance to Morses Pond on Turner Road and for the Warren Park playground revamp. The bids received for the gates were competitive, and the board approved the lowest one. Automating the gates will give the town the ability to keep the gates open more often, though remotely close them at the end of the day (there will be protocols for getting people out whose vehicles might get locked in). Municipal vehicles will be equipped with chips that allow them to go in and out. “What we really are trying to do is provide access when the beach isn’t open,” said Cohen, who noted that both the Recreation Department and Natural Resources Commission have requested more public access. The thinking also is that the gates being open more often could alleviate some neighbors’ parking concerns on Turner Road.
The board also approved a contract with Green Acres Landscaping, one of six bidders for the renovation of the Warren Park playground (90 Washington St., adjacent to the Recreation Center). This led to some reminiscing about the old “Green Acres” TV show, and the Gabor sisters…
The playground will feature a poured-in-place rubber surface, largely for accessibility reasons, though the Natural Resources Commission is looking to use natural materials where possible for other playground projects.
Cohen and the board touched on prep for Annual Town Meeting, which includes a handful of Public Works warrant articles, including for a feasibility study regarding a DPW campus redevelopment. Though Town Meeting will deal with fewer Public Works warrant articles that looked to be the case a few weeks back. Cohen said that articles getting pulled relate to Great Plain Avenue work, additional MWRA connectivity, and PFAS treatment. “We’re doing our part to shorten up Town Meeting,” he said.
The DPW of course has been doing its part as well with winter road treatments and clean-ups, with higher numbers this winter than in recent years. One impact of the snowier season is that the DPW’s Park & Tree personnel won’t be able to get out in front of spring prep outside as much as they have in recent years.
The Wellesley Club is the town’s oldest civic club, established in 1889 for men from all over the still-new town to gather and discuss issues important to the life of residents. Well over a century later, the Club is still bringing together civic-minded Wellesley residents three times a year, hosting speakers who highlight current events, challenging topics, and fascinating history.
The upcoming 250th birthday of the United States inspired the Club’s most recent meeting on January 22, featuring Don Ryan, author of “Colonel William Prescott: Heroic Commander of the Battle of Bunker Hill.” A former economic analyst and consultant, Ryan began volunteering in 2018 for the National Park Service at Bunker Hill National Monument Park. He quickly became fascinated with the under-reported life of Colonel William Prescott and dived deeply into research, eventually turning his new hobby into a book.
Wellesley Club members always love a tale well told, and were lured in by Ryan’s descriptions of Prescott’s heroics on the battlefield against a far more formidable British military, and his service under George Washington until the British were ultimately driven out of Boston in 1776. Ryan also outlined Prescott’s participation in a series of major events during the Revolutionary Era leading to the establishment of the United States Constitution.
Town issues will be the focus of the next meeting of the Wellesley Club, the annual Town Affairs Night on March 16. This annual tradition will recognize members of Town staff and highlight the work of town boards including the Select Board, School Committee, and Advisory Committee.
Interested in exploring membership in the Wellesley Club? Please email info@wellesleyclub.org for more information.
A sampling of Wellesley, Mass., meetings and agenda items for the week of March 9, 2026:
Council on Aging senior services director search subcommittee (March 9, 9am, online)
Executive Session for initial interviews of candidates and to continue to discuss initial candidates and qualifications for the position of Council on Aging Director of Senior Services under M.G.L. C.30A, §21(a)(8) since having the discussion in an open session will be detrimental to the COA’s ability to attract qualified applicants for the position, and that Haley Reddish from the Town of Wellesley Human Resources Department be allowed to participate and the subcommittee will NOT return to open session at the conclusion of the executive session
Board of Public Works (March 9, 5pm, online)
Recognition and Correspondence • Encroachment Policy Support • Drought Status Update • Contract Award: Automatic Gate Controller • Contract Award: Warren Park Playground Installation • FY27 Budget – Water & Sewer V5 • FY27 Enterprise Rate Recommendations • FY27 Enterprise Fund Financials – December • Town Meeting Preparation • DPW Monthly Report – February
Planning Board (March 9, 6:30pm, online)
Review and Approve Written Decision for 592 Washington Street Wellesley Square Commercial District Special Permit; Project of Significant Impact (PSI) a. PSI-25-04 – 592 Washington Street – Continued From 2/23/26 b. PSI-26-01 – 26 Washington Street
School Committee (March 10, 6:30pm, online)
Discussion: METCO Job Description; Discussion: AI Advisory Steering Committee & Working Group Update; Discussion: Facilities: Air Conditioning, Hardy & Hunnewell Solar, Facilities Master Plan Task Force; Discussion: Policy JECA – Middle School Pathway Exploration Amendment; Discussion: Policy Subcommittee Policies: JBB – Educational Equity; Discussion/Vote: Updated School Committee Roles: Vice Chair, Policy Subcommittee Member, Climate Action Committee Member, Mobility Liaison, Student Nutrition Advisory Committee (SNAC) Liaison, AI Steering Committee Member
Select Board (March 10, 6:30pm)
Discuss and Vote Traffic Recommendation for PSI-26-01 at 26 Washington Street (First Citizens Bank project); Annual Town Meeting (ATM) Preparation; Executive Session (not public): M.G.L c. 30A §21(a)(3) to conduct strategy with respect to negotiations with the Wellesley Firefighters, IAFF, Local 179
Advisory Committee (March 11, 6:30pm, Town Hall)
Discuss and Vote ATM Warrant Articles* • Article 2 – Town Wide Financial Plan & Five-Year Capital Budget Program • Article 3 – Consent Agenda • Article 7, Motion 1 – Snow Supplemental • Article 8, Motion 1 – MLP Contribution • Article 8, Motion 2 – FY27 Municipal Operations Budget • Article 8, Motion 3 – FY27 School Budget • Article 8, Motion 4 – Free Cash to balance the FY27 Budget • Article 21 – Comprehensive Plan • Article 32 – Amend the Residential Incentive Overlay (RIO) District *Note: Articles may be discussed and voted out of listed order.
Council on Aging Board (March 11, 4pm, online)
Funding for consultant to assist with search for Director, Senior Services (Vote)
Natural Resources Commission (March 12, 7pm, Town Hall)
Recap FY26 Annual Goals and Initiatives ▪ Town Meeting Preparation ▪ Arts and Craft Swap Sponsorship; Project Updates: Pond Dredging Update, Land Conservation Plan, Miyawaki Forest, Ouellet Field
Permanent Building Committee (March 12, 7:30pm, online)
Warren Building HVAC Project Update; Department of Public Works Recycling & Disposal Facility Administration Building Project Update; Morses Pond Beach and Bathhouse Project Update; School Solar Panel update and discussion
Recreation Commission (March 13, 8am, online)
Morses Pond Operations 2026; Summer Camp 2026 update; WellesleyVeterans Parade: Commission representation; Trail conditions and potential recreation programming support
According to unofficial election results released on Tuesday night, Wellesley Select Board incumbents Beth Sullivan Woods and Tom Ulfelder retained seats for their fourth terms in what was a tense three-candidate race. Contender Marc Charney, seeking to bring a new perspective to a board he said was too set its ways, finished third; he’ll remain chair of the Planning Board.
Sullivan Woods was the top vote getter with 2,624, and won all eight precincts, according to the unofficial results (write-ins and ballots that need to be researched will be added by the end of the week). She was followed by Ulfelder with 1,969 votes and Charney with 1,576.
The incumbents earned new three-year terms on the Select Board, which serves as the town’s chief executive body.
Sullivan Woods in the Select Board race emphasized making sure resident voices are heard on budget and other issues. Ulfelder said his experienced leadership would be valuable as the town faces challenges on the budget, capital spending, and housing and commercial development fronts.
Unlike with the Select Board, none of the four candidates in the only other contested town-wide race—running for two School Committee seats— were incumbents.
The top two vote getters were Costas Panagopoulos with 1,967 and Bob Sullivan with 1,803, both of whom earned three-year seats on the School Committee, which develops and manages school policies, and much more. Panagopoulos led voting in six of 8 precincts, with Sullivan capturing the other two.
Candidates Ayla Lari tallied 1,489 votes and Michael Robert Cave received 703.
Panagopoulos, a PhD, is a political science educator at Northeastern University, while Sullivan has a background in finance and business. And yes, it was a big night for the Sullivan family overall, as Bob Sullivan and Beth Sullivan Woods are siblings.
Overall, 20% of registered voters cast ballots (up from 17% last year).
Among the uncontested races, Mark Kaplan remains town moderator, Odessa Sanchez stays on the Housing Authority board, and Stephen Burtt is back with the Board of Assessors. New office holders include Maria Gallo Ashbrook and Aunoy Banerjee on the Board of Library Trustees, Joseph Schott and Melinda Arias-Voci on the Natural Resources Commission, and Susan Ecklund on the Board of Health.
See the complete unofficial results for all town-wide and Town Meeting seats.
Congrats to all who ran for office as well as everyone who voted and helped to run the town election.
Wellesley Media, on Comcast 8, Verizon 40, and WellesleyMedia.org, will present a short show on Tuesday, March 3 at 9pm to announce unofficial election results ahead of when the unofficial results make it to the town website later in the night. This announcement on Wellesley Media will be based on machine-tabulated numbers.
