Thank you, Morses Pond staff

August 20, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Swellesley Report has woefully neglected Morses Pond all summer, so before it officially closes (Sunday, August 20 is the last day of the season), we stopped with a couple dozen donuts to say thank you to the hard-working staff. I even took a dip while I was there (see video), and it was so refreshing that I wondered why I didn’t do so every day of the summer. There’s always next year…

Brandon Fitts, Deputy Director of Recreation, said that the pond’s… “bacteria levels have been great all summer long and we haven’t had to close at all due to bacteria,” and although they… “hired police details on weekends at the beginning of the summer to help us get started…we have had zero issues that required the police to intervene for us. It’s been a great summer in that regard.”

Able Morses Pond staff, left to right: Luke Collins, Chris Wargo Ruby Kramer, Richie Smith, Mary Kate Milway.
The staff earns $11.50 –
$14 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and the number of years having worked at Morses Pond. If you know teens who are looking for work next summer, tell them to put in an application in the spring.

First & (probably) last #swim of summer at Morses Pond in #Wellesley MA @recwellesley

A post shared by theswellesleyreport (@theswellesleyreport) on Aug 18, 2017 at 8:06am PDT

3 Wellesley Town bylaws amendments now in effect

August 17, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Town of Wellesley reports that the Town Bylaw Amendments passed by the Annual Town Meeting in April of 2017 have been approved by the Attorney General and are now effective.

Three articles were affected:

Article 46C, Historic Preservation Demolition Review:

This Article was adopted by the Town to assure the preservation and enhancement of the Town of Wellesley’s historical and cultural heritage by preserving, rehabilitating or restoring whenever possible, buildings that have distinctive architectural features or historical associations that contribute to the historic fabric of the Town.

This means that any home that was built in whole or in part on or before December 31, 1949 requires a Demolition Permit in order to be demolished. Buildings owned by the Town of Wellesley and dormitories and residence halls owned by educational institutions used to house students or staff are not considered Eligible Buildings for purposes of this Article.

2. Article 55, Revolving Funds

15 individual Revolving Funds were authorized including:

Council on Aging Social and Cultural Programs Fund: $100,000.00
Funds programs for senior citizens, under the direction of the Council on Aging.

Recreation Summertime Revenues Fund: $30,000.00
Expenditures for summertime and special event programs and activities, under the direction of the Recreation Department.

Street Opening Maintenance Fund: $225,000.00
Expenditures under the direction of the Department of Public Works for administrative services related to issuing permits for work conducted in the public way and for inspection of that work to ensure compliance with town standards.

3. Article 14, Permanent Building Committee wording was revised.

MOPO Miler swim event postponed until Aug. 12

July 28, 2017 by bbrown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Morses Pond

The Wellesley Recreation Department has postponed the MOPO Miler swimming event originally scheduled for this Saturday, July 29, to Saturday, Aug. 12.

Here’s what Rec sent to those who already registered:

We are writing to inform you that we will be POSTPONING the MOPO Miler originally scheduled for this Saturday, July 29. This has been a difficult decision that was made with the safety of all our events registered swimmers.

The Towns weed harvester that removes vegetation from the surface of Morses Pond is disabled and out for repairs. The course route and area outside the beach swim area has become quite overgrown and difficult to swim in. Hosting the MOPO Miler before the weed harvester is repaired and has a few days to clean up the pond is a safety concern, therefore, we are postponing the event.

YOU HAVE 2 OPTIONS:

1.We are going to reschedule the MOPO Miler to Saturday, August 12th – 8:45am check in, 9:30am race start. If you are able and willing to participate on this date, please let us know so we can plan for your attendance!

2.If you are unable to attend on Saturday, August 12th please let us know and you will receive a full refund.

We apologize for any inconvenience but hope you can understand our safety concerns.

If you have any questions please contact the Recreation Office at 781.235.2370.

Save the date: MOPO Miler open water swim in Wellesley July 29

June 10, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The annual MOPO Miler open water swim at Wellesley’s Morses Pond will take place this summer on Saturday, July 29 at 9:30am.

It costs $20 to take part, and you get a t-shirt and entrance to the pond for the day. There are half-mile and 1 mile courses in this non-sanctioned event run by the Wellesley Recreation Department.

Here’s a registration form: Registration deadline is July 14.

Participants must be at least 16 years old, and those under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver.

MORE: Wellesley High wrestlers kick off 2017 with Monk Dunk into Morses Pond

Reconfigured Morses Pond beach open for business

June 8, 2017 by bbrown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Morses Pond Morses Pond in Wellesley (at the end of Turner Road) opens this week just in time to catch what’s expected to be a nice string of beach days.

Visitors will find several significant changes, most noticeably an expanded and enclosed dock area. Within this “center crib” water is typically 4-feet deep, so great for families with young kids who feared the previous Morses Pond drop-off. The right side of the beach is more open, for experienced swimmers. There’s also a new swim lane beyond the dock and in front of a new lifeguard’s raft. A swimmer’s raft has also been retained, and that’s the only place patrons are allowed to dive from at the beach.

Morses Pond Wellesley For Wellesley residents, season tags cost $170 for families of 4 and up; single tags go for $35 for kids up to age 16; $40 for adults and $35 for senior citizens. Season tags for non-residents are $45 for seniors, $70 for kids and $75 for adults. Daily tags cost $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents. Proof of residency is required for purchasing seasonal tags or daily tags, for residents.

Note that permits are required for using the pavilions and barbecue sites at Morses Pond. They go for $5 for 1.75 hours for residents and $50 for 1.75 hours for non-residents. Various deals are available too, such as $1 Mondays for middle schoolers and $1 daily passes for residents on opening weekend of June 10/11

For more info, swimming lesson info, BBQ pavilion rentals, visit the Wellesley Recreation Department website.

Lifeguards are on duty starting at 10 am (7 days/week). Once Lifeguards are off duty – Park Rangers will keep park and parking lot open until dusk (Town bylaw), then front gate will be locked for the evening.

Morses Pond is a booze- and drug-free environment.

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