The Swellesley Report

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

Wellesley residents urge opioid treatment center reps to reconsider location

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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…]

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Breaking Wellesley news: Wellesley Housing Authority to remain managed by Needham temporarily

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Just last week the Wellesley Housing Authority (WHA) gave the thumbs up in a vote to hire a candidate they interviewed to fill the position of Interim Director. The candidate, currently a Housing Authority Director in a community about 15 miles outside of Wellesley, was to guide the WHA during the separation process from the Needham Housing Authority (NHA).

Today, however, the WHA announced to staff that “Needham will remain temporarily the management agent for the WHA until a permanent Executive Director is hired. A search is ongoing,” a WHA representative said.

The agency started looking for an Interim Director back in September after the WHA said that it would separate from the NHA. Last week the WHA got as far as extending an offer to a qualified candidate for that position. Things were looking positive, but the candidate ultimately decided not to sign on.

The WHA will not search for another Interim Director. It will instead focus its efforts on hiring a permanent Executive Director.

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Early voting starts Monday, October 22 in Wellesley (and other places)

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First early voter
John Gray was the first early voter in Wellesley at 8:00 AM on Monday. Seen here with poll worker Diane Hall

 

In an effort to encourage voter turn-out, Wellesley is offering early voting at three locations in town for Wellesley registered voters. According to Town Clerk KC Kato, “Early voting has started at the Warren Building at 90 Washington Street. So far, we have received 186 early voting ballots. We encourage everyone to early vote at the Warren Building, basement level. We will be there through November 2, 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday; and during special extended hours of  8 am – 8 pm on Thursday, and 8am – 2pm on Saturday.”

If you need to cast an absentee vote, Kato says, “The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is noon on November 5th. However, the voter needs to allow for mail time. Only ballots received by November 6 at 8pm will be counted.”

Here are all the important dates, times, and places for voting early and getting a flu shot while you’re at it.

Vote early at the Warren Recreation Building

Early voting will be offered at the Warren Recreation Building, 90 Washington St. through November 2, 2018:

Monday through Friday from 8am – to 5pm

Special extended hours:
Thursdays 8am to 8pm
Saturday October 27, 8am to 2pm

Get your flu shot at the Rec Building while you’re at it. Here are the dates and times.

Vote early at the Elizabeth Seton Hall Residence

Early Voting will also be offered at the Elizabeth Seton Residence at 125 Oakland Street on Sunday October 28, 2018 from 2pm – 4pm.

Vote early at Waterstone

Early Voting will also be offered at Waterstone at 27 Washington Street on Monday October 29, 2018 at 5pm to 8pm.

View the Town’s Early Voting document for more information.

Vote absentee

Absentee ballots are available for registered voters who will be unable to vote Early or at the Polls due to:

absence from the Town of Wellesley during normal polling hours; or
physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
religious beliefs

How to find out which precinct you’re in

Mass.gov has a nifty page where you can plug in your address and it will tell you not only where to vote, but who our Town Clerk is (that would be KC Kato), the names of our elected officials and district representatives and links to their pages that include their phone numbers, emails, and other information.

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Wellesley sending off Meghan Jop in style

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Meghan Jop farewell
From left to right: Wellesley Police Chief Jack Pilecki, Rick Brown (former Wellesley planning director), Meghan Jop, and Hans Larsen

Current and former town officials and staff, as well as residents, turned up at a farewell gathering earlier this week at Town Hall for outgoing assistant executive director Meghan Jop, who is headed to a new job in North Andover that’s closer to home. Her last official day is Oct. 26.

Board of Selectmen chair Jack Morgan, Town Executive Director Blythe Robinson and her predecessor Hans Larsen all shared comments on the impact Jop has made on so many town projects.

Wellesley Meghan Jop farewell
Farewell gifts included a chair with the Town seal and signed memorabilia from many of the town departments Jop worked with during her more than 16 years in Wellesley.
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