The Swellesley Report

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

Wellesley Health Dept. can help residents have healthy holidays

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Warren Building, Wellesley
Warren Building, Wellesley

The Wellesley Health Department has a limited amount of the flu vaccine available at their office on the second floor of the Warren Building, 90 Washington Street. Call 781-489-4356 or email health@welleslyma.gov to schedule your shot for ages 6 and up. Flu mist and high dose vaccine available.

A couple members of our swell family this week got their registered nurse-administered flu vax at the Wellesley Health Department and found it to be an easy, uncrowded, civilized experience.

As a reminder, every home in the U.S. is again eligible to order free at-home COVID-19 tests. Order yours today at this link: https://www.covid.gov/tests.

The Health Department has a limited supply of free COVID-19 tests inside the rear entrance to the Warren Building, 90 Washington St., Wellesley.  Warren Building hours are Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm.

The Warren Building will close at noon on Fri., Dec. 23 and remain closed through Mon., Dec. 26. Regular business hours resume on Tue., Dec. 27.

The Warren Building will close at noon on Fri., Dec. 30 and remain closed through Mon., Jan. 2.

Regular Wellesley Health Department hours: Mon. – Fri., 9am-4:30pm

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Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley flu clinic set for Oct. 4; limited bivalent COVID vaccine available, too

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Wellesley’s Health Department is holding a flu clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 1-4pm for residents ages 18-plus.

Advance registration is required for the clinic, to be held on the ground floor of the Warren Health & Recreation Building (90 Washington St.). Vaccines are free, but you need to have health insurance and should bring your card. High-dose vaccines are available for those ages 65-plus.

Homebound residents are encouraged to schedule an at-home appointment. Call the Health Department at 781-489-4356.

The Health Department will have a limited supply of the new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine (Moderna only) available this this clinic for those who want to double dip. It’s only available to those who have registered for the flu vaccine clinic.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

School starts in Wellesley on Wednesday, Aug. 31 for all students

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Wellesley public school students go back to class on Wellesley on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Want to share Opening Day photos with us? Please do:  theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

The biggest change this year—Hunnewell Elementary School will not open its doors. It can’t. The school, built in 1938, was razed over the summer to make way for a new 76,500 sq. ft. 18-classroom school slated to open in February 2024. While construction is underway, staff and students have been divvied up among four of Wellesley’s five currently open elementary schools—Bates, Hardy, Sprague, and Upham—under a swing space plan. More on the school construction plans.

hunnewell cleared out
Hunnewell Elementary School was torn down over the summer.

District-wide, the school is returning to pre-pandemic operations meaning that, with the exception of all nursing offices, all school buildings and grounds will be mask-optional environments. In addition, the schools will no longer be supporting weekly, school-based viral testing. The remaining stock of rapid tests will be made available to students and staff on demand until supplies either run out or expire.

Other school updates

In a back-to-school message, Superintendent David Lussier reminded families that work on the new Hardy school will begin this winter behind the existing school, which will remain operational throughout the project. “The new Hardy school is slated to open in August of 2024, approximately six months after the opening of the new Hunnewell school.  I know I speak for the many people who supported the development and approval process of these projects when I say that it is incredibly gratifying to see these next-generation school projects underway,” Lussier said in his message.

In addition, a significant paving project was completed at the Middle School over the summer, one of many projects at WMS over the years that have included replacement of many windows, work on critical infrastructure such as piping, doors and cabinetry and a full kitchen renovation. After all those upgrades, it seems safe to say that WMS will remain standing and in service for many years to come.

wms pave
Smoothed over Wellesley Middle School parking lot, pre-painting of lines

 

As for the high school area, the Wellesley Natural Resources commission in July voted 3-2 in favor of the School Committee’s proposal to allow lights to be installed at the Hunnewell Track & Field. The next steps will include private fundraising of about $1 million for the lights, team rooms, and sound system, as well as additional town meetings and approvals before the lights can be installed. Wetlands, the Select Board, Design Review Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals all must sign off on the project before it can move forward. More information here.

Massachusetts has extended universal free school meals through the 2022-2023 school year. This means that breakfast at the Middle and High Schools, and lunch at all schools will continue to be served at no cost to all students.  Families will continue to be financially responsible for second meals, a la carte offerings, and beverages.

Even though meals are free for all, families must complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2022-23 school year to ensure district eligibility for various programs.

School calendar

First day off: Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day.

For more important dates on school schedule, see the 2022-23 academic calendar.

Colleges and private schools start-up dates

As for other educational institutions in town Babson College has the distinction of starting the earliest. Undergraduates at the four-year private business school head to class on Monday, Aug. 29.

St. John School, the private Catholic school that educates students up to grade 6, starts classes on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

School gets going at both Tenacre Country Day School (private pre-K through grade 6) and at Dana Hall (private grades 5-12, boarding and day) on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Classes begin at MassBay Community College  and Wellesley College on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Our kids have made it through the Wellesley Public School system. We can use your help if you have kids in the system or if you work for the system to please pass along any school memos you think might be of interest to the Wellesley community at large: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Wellesley Health Department update on COVID-19 vaccines for the very young

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COVID-19 vaccines are now available for anyone ages 6 months or older. The Wellesley Health Department’s updated website includes information on the vaccine as well as information on where to find local providers offering COVID vaccines for all ages. The Health Department will continue to update the list of providers as they become available. Not all providers will vaccinate under age three, so be sure to verify before making an appointment.

As a reminder, COVID vaccines are free for everyone. Please talk with your health care provider regarding questions or concerns about the COVID vaccine.

Call and Haul, Wellesley

Wellesley investigating possible wastewater tracking for COVID, drugs

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COVID-19 watchers have been keeping an eye on wastewater across the state to spot trends in the disease’s prevalence, and Wellesley is weighing whether it should start sampling its sewage for this, too.

The topic was raised at recent Wellesley Select Board and Board of Health meetings.

We reached out to town officials about this in April after hearing mentions at various board meetings of such possible testing, but didn’t hear back. Select Board member Lise Olney had more luck in directing a question about this to Public Health Director Lenny Izzo during the May 24 Select Board meeting (see Wellesley Media recording at the 1-hour, 7-minute mark).

To date, Wellesley has relied on the southern grouping of data from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, according to Izzo, who last week took part in a call with the group monitoring wastewater for the state. Biobot Analytics, based in Cambridge, has worked with the state, Boston, and other individual communities, including Cambridge and Gloucester.

Izzo said Wellesley was awaiting more detailed pricing information, though indicated it could be a little bit less expensive than he anticipated based on the initial briefing. “One thing I did like about their program is that they have the ability to test for high-risk substances,” he said. “It’s definitely worth a conversation.”

The Health Department could coordinate with the Department of Public Works on sampling wastewater, then rely on a testing partner for analyzing the presence of COVID-19 as well as substances such as nicotine and fentanyl. COVID reports could be delivered weekly, and drug reports monthly.

The town is exploring the possibility of getting into the state testing system, possibly as soon as July.

The Board of Health briefly discussed the topic as well at its May 25 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording at about 28 minutes in). Wellesley resident Dr. Shira Doron, who heads up epidemiology at Tufts Medical Center, posed the question of what Wellesley would get from its own testing vs. what it gets from Boston-area testing regarding COVID. But that it would have the potential for measuring the prevalence of other diseases down the road.

Board member Linda Oliver Grape said that there could be a window of opportunity to get this funded with non-town monies, so that it’s worth at least learning more about the cost if this could be used to track additional illnesses, opioid use, etc.

On the opioid front, Board member Marcia Testa Simonson said that before-and-after wastewater testing data could help to measure the effectiveness of intervention programs.

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COVID-19 vaccination clinic to be held in Wellesley for ages 18+

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The Wellesley Health Department will hold a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Thursday, May 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Wellesley Health Department (90 Washington Street)

This clinic is free and open to all eligible individuals 18 years and older. You do not need to live in Wellesley to take part in this clinic.

Nurses will be offering the Moderna vaccine. First or second doses, or booster shots are all available.

Sign up online for an appointment and have your insurance information available. If you do not have insurance, you may still register for an appointment.

For questions or assistance with appointments, contact the Wellesley Health Department nurses directly at 781-489-4356.

From the Financial District to Wellesley Hills: Pandemic brought Sleek Salon’s new owner to town

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It took a certain amount of courage for Roya Dowlatabadi, the new owner of Sleek Salon in Wellesley Hills, to leave behind years of success running her own business in Boston’s Financial District and make the move to the suburbs. Although she lives in the Metrowest area, the hair stylist felt like she didn’t have a handle on the culture of this area.

In Boston, Roya’s clients were mostly business people who commuted to the office five days a week. Her base wanted to show up to work looking polished and professional, and they didn’t want their roots to show before important meetings. Business was great back in the pre-pandemic days when the Financial District still bustled with in-person activity.

Roya, Sleek Salon, Wellesley
Roya, owner of Sleek Salon in Wellesley, faced business challenges during the pandemic.

But once COVID hit and Boston’s business elite transferred their moving and shaking from the boardroom to Zoom, it began to seem unlikely that Roya would once more have a full schedule of in-city clients.

One of her regulars told her about Sleek Salon, and how the owner at that time was not only looking to rent a chair, but perhaps wanted to transfer the business altogether, to the right person. Roya wasn’t sure about the idea, but the longer the pandemic lasted, the better a big change sounded. It was time to face facts.

“Finally I convinced myself I have to move on, I have to do something because I cannot survive like this,” Roya said. “I had to accept it. I can’t change destiny, sometimes it is out of our control.”

She left Boston and made the move to Wellesley. First on her agenda as a Sleek employee was to figure out the culture of the area. Turns out her new clients wanted pretty much the same thing as her city clients—regular cuts so as to avoid that shaggy dog look, custom color, and modern dos for special occasions like weddings and prom. Within a year she decided to take on ownership of the business. Things have gone so well that she’s currently looking to rent out a booth in the salon, or hire a stylist.

Roya now has more than ever in common with her clients—the positive lifestyle change that comes with reduced daily travel. “I don’t miss the commute all the way to Boston, ” she says. “Not at all.”

From the Hills to the Square

Empty storefronts are starting to fill up in Wellesley as business owners gain confidence that customers are once again willing to re-enter the world of in-person dining, shopping, and self-care. Just a few examples: Laughing Monk, an imaginative Thai cuisine spot, is expected to open soon in Wellesley Square, and La Toscano Pizzeria has opened at the former Upper Crust space; Home Decor Group opened in Wellesley Hills in March, and Jejes Coffeehouse is coming to that end of town in late spring or early summer; and Oath Pizza and Tatte Bakery are moving forward with renovations in preparation for their grand openings (soon!) in the Linden Square complex.

This flurry of activity has come about in part to to the town’s efforts to take a more collaborative approach in working with both business owners and property owners to fill vacancies. According to Amy Frigulietti, Wellesley’s Assistant Executive Director, the town has been addressing roadblocks to filling empty storefronts within its jurisdiction, such as licensing and permitting. “We’re thrilled that momentum from the storefront art project the Town supported last year is continuing this spring, with the Wellesley Society of Artists exhibit at Webster Bank. Overall we feel good about the current interest in our commercial districts, and the Town will see several new retailers and restaurants moving into our vacant storefronts soon,” she said.

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COVID-19 vaccination clinic to be held in Wellesley for ages 18+

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The Wellesley Health Department will hold COVID-19 vaccine clinics during the spring.

Clinic dates, times, and locations are as follows:

  • Thursday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Wellesley Health Department (90 Washington Street)
  • Thursday, May 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Wellesley Health Department (90 Washington Street)

These clinics are free and open to all eligible individuals 18 years and older. You do not need to live in Wellesley to take part in this clinic.

Nurses will be offering the Moderna vaccine. First or second doses, or booster shots are all available.

Sign up online for an appointment and have your insurance information available. If you do not have insurance, you may still register for an appointment.

For questions or assistance with appointments, contact the Wellesley Health Department nurses directly at 781-489-4356.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics to be held in Wellesley for ages 18+

by Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Health Department will hold COVID-19 vaccine clinics during the spring.

Clinic dates, times, and locations are as follows:

  • Thursday, March 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Tolles Parsons Center (500 Washington Street)
  • Thursday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Wellesley Health Department (90 Washington Street)
  • Thursday, May 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Wellesley Health Department (90 Washington Street)

These clinics are free and open to all eligible individuals 18 years and older. You do not need to live in Wellesley to take part in this clinic.

Nurses will be offering the Moderna vaccine. First or second doses, or booster shots are all available.

Sign up online for an appointment and have your insurance information available. If you do not have insurance, you may still register for an appointment.

For questions or assistance with appointments, contact the Wellesley Health Department nurses directly at 781-489-4356.

Wellesley mask restrictions in most municipal buildings to end March 7

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Wellesley, COVID, masksAfter six months during which wearing a mask in Wellesley’s municipal buildings has been mandatory,  indoor mask wearing will become optional in town starting March 7. This follows the State’s guidance that starting March 1 only high-risk and/or unvaccinated individuals should wear masks indoors.

The Wellesley Select Board and Board of Health voted in mid-February to discontinue the mask mandate. Like the state, the two Boards strongly advise individuals with weakened immune systems, those who are at risk for severe disease, or those who are not vaccinated to continue to wear masks indoors.

On March 7, Wellesley Public Schools (WPS) will transition to a new COVID-19 mitigation plan developed by Health and School officials and approved by the School Committee. This transition plan includes moving to a mask-optional environment for all students and staff, with the exception of health offices, individuals who are returning between days 6 and 10 of a COVID-positive diagnosis, or individuals who have had known, prolonged exposure to someone with COVID-19.

The transition plan includes details on changes to school lunches, visitors and volunteers, performing arts and athletics, field trips, and specific COVID mitigation measures.

Exception to the rule

Due to the vulnerable population served by the Wellesley Council on Aging, the COA Board has voted a policy requiring that individuals participating in in-person COA programs and activities at the Tolles Parsons Center be vaccinated and continue to wear masks at this time.

Massachusetts downsizes “Stop the Spread” sites

Due to a significant decrease in the need for COVID-19 state-sponsored testing sites, and the wide availability of rapid antigen tests, Massachusetts will downsize “Stop the Spread” testing sites to 11 locations by April 1. The Framingham site, which is closest to Wellesley, will stay open through at least May 15 and will continue to offer free PCR testing to any Massachusetts resident, with no ID or insurance required. Locations for other test sites in the Commonwealth here.

Deland, Gibson, Wellesley
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