To the editor:

As the community engagement process for Wellesley’s new Strategic Housing Plan continues this fall, it’s not lost on me that the biggest housing issue for many town residents is the continued rash of teardown-rebuilds of single-family homes. However, I rarely hear an acknowledgement of the fundamental economics of the situation. When the land itself is worth more than $2 million per acre (which, in Wellesley, it is), it simply makes no sense to put one modest-sized home on a large lot. No developer is going to find it financially viable to do so, and few home buyers who can afford to buy land at $2 million per acre are going to be satisfied with a small, aging home.

The existing bureaucratic processes we have in Wellesley for scrutinizing mansionization cannot overcome the economics. Whether led by developers or owner-occupants, there’s too much money in teardown-rebuilds in Wellesley for the Demolition Review bylaw to significantly deter most property owners. Meanwhile, the Large House Review bylaw was never intended to disincentivize teardowns at all, but rather to reduce the negative impacts of the new, larger homes.

A more effective method of preserving the scale and facade of existing homes in Wellesley requires giving property owners additional redevelopment options that are more appealing to them than the teardown-rebuild model.

For this reason, Wellesley should legalize single-family to multi-family conversions in older buildings if the property owner agrees to subsequently place a preservation restriction on the property. This approach could not only aid in historic preservation, but also improve housing affordability and availability for downsizing seniors and small families. The alternative is to continue to try to use lengthy and punitive review processes to discourage teardown-rebuilds, which needless to say is not working.

Andrew Mikula
Wellesley resident

Dear Editor,

As the current legislative session winds down, our Massachusetts representative and senator have the opportunity to follow the Town of Wellesley’s lead from a few years ago to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. The bill is now in the Senate’s Administrative Committee. It needs to moved out of this committee and forward for a vote in the Senate. Time is of the essence!

I moved to Wellesley just six years ago and was proud when our Town made this change, recognizing the importance of the original stewards of the land that we now occupy. The settlers displaced the Native people living in this area, and we need to recognize the importance of our Indigenous brethren’s stewardship of the land, repair the harm done to them, and to honor their teachings of respecting Mother Earth. We have much to learn from them in this time of climate disaster.  Our state may derive its name from an important tribe in the area—the Massachusett—but we have not recognized them in a way that counts.

Let us now replace the name for the holiday held on the second Monday in October of a European “explorer” with the Indigenous People who were here then and are here now—Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Sally Watts
Wellesley resident

To the editor:

On behalf of the Wellesley older adults who will benefit by their support, Springwell would like to applaud the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club for their efforts to fund critical needs in the community. Springwell is an independent, non-profit organization, and the grant we received this year will help older adults and caregivers who rely on our Meals on Wheels program for nutritional support.

Engaged community civic organizations like the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club are a critical source of support for Springwell’s programs. While we receive a baseline of government funding for many of our programs, the need always exceeds this baseline. The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club’s gift, raised through their year-round fundraising activities, will go to
immediate use helping Wellesley seniors receive nearly 20,000 nutritious meals from Springwell in 2024. The majority of Wellesley seniors receiving meals live on fixed incomes and nearly one in four lives in poverty.

Springwell is here for Wellesley community members. In addition to our Nutrition Programs, we help seniors and caregivers navigate the support systems that can help older adults and their caregivers as they face the challenges that come with aging. I welcome readers to call Springwell at 617-926-4100 if it’s possible that the Home Delivered Meals Program—or any of our 20
programs or services—could be of assistance for yourself or a loved one.

Once again, many thanks to the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club for their generous support of Springwell and our work helping Wellesley seniors.

Trish Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Springwell

To the editor:

One Can Help, a leading non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to supporting system involved vulnerable children and families across Massachusetts, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant from the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club.

This prestigious grant will enable One Can Help to expand its innovative efforts to provide the missing. resources underserved children involved with the Juvenile court and/or the Department of Children and Families (DCF) systems, need to improve difficult lives and build better futures.

The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club is well-known for its commitment to strengthening local communities and supporting organizations that make a profound impact. This grant will allow One Can Help to significantly enhance its capacity to serve vulnerable children who often face immense challenges within the juvenile court and DCF system across Massachusetts.

“We are incredibly honored and grateful to receive this grant from the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club,” said Anne Bader-Martin, Esq., Executive Director of One Can Help. “This generous support will enable us to extend our reach and make an even greater difference in the lives of many of our most vulnerable children. We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.”

One Can Help’s unique mission is to provide the “tools” needed to overcome adversity. The organization works collaboratively with the Juvenile Court, DCF, and other agencies to address the unique needs of children involved in the juvenile justice system or at risk of entering it.

By leveraging this grant, One Can Help intends to create a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and families, fostering positive change within the juvenile court and DCF system. For more information about One Can Help and their programs, please visit www.onecanhelp.org or contact info@onecanhelp.org

Anne Bader-Martin, Esq.
Founder/Executive Director

To the editor:

The warm weather is here, and many residents and their four-legged friends are hitting the trails all around town. Wellesley is a pet-friendly community and as the town’s Animal Control Officer, I wanted to share a few tips to help ensure the outdoor space is enjoyable for all.

Pet owners are expected to be responsible and considerate to ensure that their pets do not disturb other residents, and to preserve the beauty of our town. The Town does require that dogs are either leashed or under the control of its owner while outdoors at all times. The Town bylaws require that “any dog on the streets and sidewalks in Wellesley must be on a leash not exceeding seven (7) feet.  On all other Town property, a dog must be under the control of its owner according to regulations adopted by Town boards and commissions for that specific Town property.”

When enjoying the Town’s Parks and Conservation Land the bylaws specific to this space require that “pets must be under the immediate control of the owner at all times in order to protect plants, wildlife and the enjoyment of other visitors.”

What does immediate control or immediate voice control mean? The dog must respond to one command of COME (or whatever your recall word is) and remain beside the owner or keeper. Come means come now. It is not an optional command. This command could save your dog’s life by preventing it from chasing a bunny, squirrel, or other animal across a street. It also keeps your dog from approaching other walkers who may be fearful of dogs, are allergic, or are walking a dog who does not want to say hello or interact with other dogs.

To ensure owners maintain immediate control, dogs should always stay within their owner’s eyesight. This helps to ensure they do not run up to, jump on, chase or assault other dogs, their owners or other individuals who are enjoying the outside space. Many dog owners enjoy socializing their dogs with other dogs while utilizing Town property. It is always best to ask before letting your dog approach another dog or a person. Please also ensure your dog does not run into the yards of abutters while walking on town property, and remember to be a courteous owner and pick up after your dog.

Let’s all work together to ensure that everyone can enjoy our town’s beautiful outdoor space together.

If you witness or encounter an aggressive dog please contact Wellesley Animal Control at the Wellesley Police Department to report it. The more information about the dog (name, breed, size, color, etc.) the more likely we will be able to identify the dog and its owner and educate them about the Town bylaws and any undesired behaviors.

Jenny Smith
Animal Control Officer
Animal Inspector
Wellesley Police Dept.
485 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
781-235-8460

To the editor:

On behalf of the Wellesley S.T.A.R.S. (Striving to Achieve Recreational Services), I would like to publicly thank the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) for its ongoing support of our teams. Created by parents and run by an amazing and talented group of volunteers, the Wellesley S.T.A.R.S. is an organization that provides an opportunity for friendship, competition, and achievement for athletes with a variety of disabilities. The financial support of the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club enables us to offer our athletes a competitive program in which they would normally not be able to participate.

The Wellesley S.T.A.R.S currently offers opportunities in both swimming and track. Led by our Special Olympics Hall of Fame coach, Karen Bernardo, our swim team competes in Special Olympics regional meets in Massachusetts as well as in selective national and international events. Our Special Olympics track team practices at Dana Hall throughout the winter and spring. In addition to Karen, we have many other dedicated coaches and volunteers who work with our athletes every week, providing a warm and welcoming environment for all.

The Wellesley S.T.A.R.S. is fortunate to have the support of the community, and we are very grateful to the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club for its support over the years. We encourage others to continue to support the fundraising events of the Wellesley Hills Junior Woman’s Club. The success of their efforts is crucial to the long term success of the Wellesley S.T.A.R.S. and other
local organizations.

For more information on joining or volunteering for the Wellesley S.T.A.R.S., please visit our website at www.wellesleystars.org or email at wellesleystars@gmail.org

Sincerely,

David Abraham
President, Wellesley S.T.A.R.S.