To the editor:

Schools. The vital institute of learning for the youth to develop skills to better our world. As the future steps foot through the school doors, a problem arises. In much of our state, the air quality is unacceptable and can affect learning. In fact, the American Lung Association gave nearly half of the counties in Massachusetts a “C” or lower rating for air quality.

However, you may be asking yourself: why does this even matter? Wellesley Public Schools, from my personal experience, don’t seem to have air quality issues. In fact, MERV13 filters were installed in fall 2020 in all Wellesley Public Schools, which are advertised by FilterBuy to capture 98% of airborne particles. 

Unfortunately, the long line of single-occupancy vehicles departing and arriving at every single school in Wellesley has an impact on air quality and our greenhouse gas emissions. “Greenhouse gas emissions, including ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter from fossil fuels, not only cause climate change but also pollute the breathable air, causing many public health problems,” reports Climate Nexus.

Not only does transportation create approximately 40% of emissions in Wellesley, Rolling Stone reports, “that a single car releases about 4.6 metric tons, or 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.”

So, what are some solutions? Walking, biking, scootering, carpooling, taking the school bus, and other means of public transportation.

Have you tried taking the MBTA commuter rail that stops behind Caffe Nero on Washington Street? How about the MWRTA Catch Connect’s curb-to-curb MicroTransit system? This van services any address within the Town of Wellesley, as well as: Newton Wellesley Hospital, Natick Community Center, Woodland MBTA station, and Waban MBTA station. It runs from 6:45am-6:45pm, Monday-Friday making it an option to and from school and activities. It’s available for students 12 and older, as well as adults.

Personally, I find biking to school a great source of exercise and a great way to wake up in the morning before class. My friends and I meet up every morning around 15-20 minutes before the first bell rings at Wellesley High and are never late to school. It is also much faster on the way home than buses and cars, as the long lines to exit the schools are bypassed. We have seen elementary school families biking or walking in groups to and from school (sometimes called walking school buses). Maybe give that a try this spring.

As we drive by on our bikes we notice a lot of idling cars. This month there will be a town-wide Idle Free in 2023! campaign happening. Idling is unhealthy, expensive, and illegal. For air quality sake alone, please take the pledge to go idle-free.  

Wellesley still, unfortunately, has gas-powered buses, but since they have an occupancy of 20-30 people rather than a single-occupancy vehicle, the emissions-per-student ratio decreases. The good news is that school bus pricing is decreasing in Wellesley (with an aim to remove it completely over time), and ridership on Wellesley school buses is up. Now is the time to get even more students on buses (even one way) and start planning for electric school buses. A recent WBUR report states that some MA communities are using electric school buses which are not only quieter and more energy efficient than a traditional school bus, “they use about 60% less fossil fuels.” Plus, who wants the diesel fumes that, as reported by Carrie Jung, “can lead to eye irritation and nausea, and it can sometimes cause asthma and even lung cancer.”

Sure, we live in New England and winter can seem like a challenge, however, single-occupancy vehicles are not the only means of getting to and from Wellesley Public Schools. No matter the condition—rain, snow, or shine—there are always healthier, more climate-friendly options at every student’s disposal. I hope you will try a different means of transportation today, for our air quality and our future.

Kavin Shah
9th grader at Wellesley High School

To the editor:

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed installation of lighting at Hunnewell Field regarding the potential impact it will have on the wildlife in the Skating Pond and Fuller Brook area. I believe that the installation of lighting will significantly affect the breeding, behavior and migration patterns of many species of birds and other animals, as well as alter the ecology of the area.

As such, it is imperative that a truly independent consultant is engaged to evaluate the likely effects of this project on the wetlands in our town. We cannot take risks with our environment, and we cannot rely on the testimony of one “expert” hired by the group in favor of the installation. We must ensure that all development projects are properly and fairly evaluated to minimize any negative impacts on our wetland areas.

The Wetlands Protection Committee has a duty to maintain the integrity of all wetlands in our town and to stop public and private developers from nibbling away at the borders of these areas. It is worth noting that a proposed extension to the Whole Foods parking lot will also impinge on the same wetland area. This is unacceptable, and we must ensure that our wetlands are protected from further encroachment.

We cannot allow the availability of funds in our wealthy and privileged town to allow us to flout established guidelines that prioritize the climate and environment when new projects are proposed. We have a responsibility to ensure that every new development is sustainable and environmentally responsible.

I urge the Wetlands Protection Committee to take all necessary steps to protect the wetlands in our town, and to prioritize the health and well-being of our environment and wildlife.

Sincerely,

Peter A. Watson
Wellesley resident

The town of Wellesley, Massachusetts currently relies on a private trash hauling system, where residents contract with private companies to dispose of their waste. However, I would like the town to implement public trash pickup in Wellesley.

One of the main arguments in favor of a public trash hauler is that it would provide greater accountability and transparency in the waste management process. Currently, residents have little control over the operations of private waste haulers, and there have been reports of issues such as missed pick-ups and questionable disposal practices. A public trash hauler, on the other hand, would be accountable to the town government and would be subject to greater oversight and regulation.

Another advantage of a public trash hauler is the potential for cost savings. Private waste haulers charge different rates based on the size of the container and the frequency of pick-ups, which can be costly for residents who generate a lot of waste or require frequent pick-ups. A public trash hauler could offer standardized rates and potentially negotiate lower costs through bulk purchasing, and greater bargaining power.

In addition to cost savings, a public trash hauler could also have environmental benefits. Although Wellesley has a goals of reducing its waste output, reaching these goals has been challenging due to the limitations of the current waste management system. A public trash hauler could offer greater opportunities for recycling and composting, as well as more efficient waste disposal practices.

In conclusion, there are numerous benefits to Wellesley switching to a public trash hauler. From promoting sustainability and reducing waste to potentially lowering costs and improving the appearance of the town, the advantages are clear. It’s time for Wellesley to take the necessary steps to make this change and lead the way in sustainable waste management practices.

Public trash pickup could be the next step in making Wellesley better. Let your Town Meeting representatives know that this is something you care about and want to see change.

Sloan Marmer
Wellesley Middle School, 8th grade

To the editor:

Road accidents and complaints about road safety are at an all time high. There are many potential solutions, but we want to focus on adding street lights.

In 2021, 390 car-related deaths were recorded in Massachusetts, according to Spada Law Group. This has marked a record high since 2012, which recorded a total of 364 deaths. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are caused by the lack of streetlights. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2005–2007, poor road design and trouble seeing signs and signals contributed 1,000 accidents respectively to the amount of accidents in the US.

We believe with better lighting these accidents could have been completely averted.

This is especially important for Wellesley students who walk. While now in April there is more light, during much of the late fall and winter, it is still dark out by the time school starts in the morning. This is also a problem for after school or evening events, when students need to get home late. Fortunately, street lights have been proven to make an area feel safer overall and reduce most forms of crime: The Newark Public Safety Collaborative reported that better street lighting can reduce crimes such as sexual assault, murder, and robbery by as much as 36%.

The other side of the argument suggests that pedestrians can simply wear reflective clothing at night to become more visible. However, reflective gear is often ineffective. The Jividen Law Offices states that even when cyclists or pedestrians wear these types of clothing, they can be hard to see without adequate lighting, as they have such a small profile. Additionally, many people do not use high-visibility wear—and teenagers often refuse to do so.

If street lights were added, there would be far fewer worries for both pedestrians and drivers. Traffic would likely run more smoothly and parents would be able to worry less about their children who walk or bike in the dark.

Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP) is in charge of installing streetlights, once the Wellesley Police Department has determined that lighting will improve safety in an area.

We think there should be more lights around WMS, and when we surveyed Wellesley residents, we got several other recommended locations.  If you know of an intersection or area that you think needs another streetlight, let the WMLP know and help improve safety for everyone.

Luna Lu
Wellesley Middle School, 8th grader

Jacey Zhang
Wellesley Middle School, 8th grader

Dear Wellesley Residents,

Thank you for entrusting me to join Wellesley’s School Committee. I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve our community. I promise to work for ALL of our students. I look forward to working with the School Committee and the broader community to ensure that every student receives a world-class education.

I am deeply appreciative of the students, educators, friends, colleagues, advisors, donors, voters, and my family who supported me. I can’t express enough my deep admiration for my amazing campaign team who taught me so much throughout the process. We worked on the campaign together with a common vision and passion for our community. I am so happy my priorities and the cornerstones of my campaign, “Excellence, Equity, and Empathy” resonated with you.

On behalf of my campaign team we thank you for your donations to our campaign. As a team we decided to donate any unencumbered funds to charities consistent with my campaign priorities. We are proud to report that we will make a donation to the Wellesley Food Pantry, the Best Buddies Program at the Wellesley Middle School and More Than Words in the next few weeks.

If you are not yet familiar with who I am, I would like to share a bit about myself and why I ran for School Committee. I have more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, METCO leader, and educational consultant. I bring the wisdom of an educator who has worked nationally with multiple stakeholders to deliver educational excellence and equity. I believe my experience, coupled with volunteer work, locally and statewide, will be valuable assets to our community. If you are interested in learning more about me, I invite you to visit my campaign website.

Sincerely,

Christina Horner