Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
The Wellesley Council on Aging has shared a 7-question survey asking how it’s doing. It wants to know how you like the programs you’ve attended and what else you’d like to see in 2026.
Responses are due by Jan. 14.
This comes on the heels of a broader research study conducted on behalf of the Council on Aging regarding senior needs.
UMass Boston researchers earlier this month revealed findings from a senior needs assessment they conducted on behalf of the Wellesley Council on Aging (COA) about the town’s large and growing population of older adults. The study is designed to help the COA with strategic and program planning, as well as support the town at large in serving a demographic that’s expected to soon exceed a quarter of the total population.
Wellesley Media recorded the Dec. 10 briefing, and the COA has posted the UMass Boston study (“Wellesley Council on Aging: Planning for the Future”) and an executive summary on its website.
The COA in January engaged UMass Boston to conduct the study of the town’s 60+ population. This consisted of a survey taken by about 1,500 people (30% response rate, which is good), in-person focus groups and phone interviews, plus discussions with town leaders, including the police and fire chiefs. The age distribution of respondents was relatively in line with the age distribution (60-69, 70-79, 80+) in Wellesley’s population, and for most seniors, staying in Wellesley is somewhat or very important to them.
The study cost $35,000 and was paid for via the New Era Fund. (Graphics in this post are from the UMass Boston study.)
Presenting at the COA were Caitlin Coyle, director of the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging at UMass Boston’s Gerontology Institute, backed by colleague Beth Rouleau.
Some findings were predictable: People like it here because of the culture, proximity to Boston, and walkability/trails, etc.
Their top concern is skyrocketing property taxes and cost of living even as incomes are flat or reduced. Other concerns are maintaining homes, alternatives for downsizing, and access to transportation/ability to remain independent. For those who limit their driving, finding information about what transportation options are available has been a challenge, survey respondents said.
You might be surprised to learn that about half of homeowners in town are age 65+, and that about a third of those age 80+ live alone.
Of those age 65+, a quarter said they have a disability that limits their community involvement. Another sometimes hidden factor affecting older residents’ participation in the wider community is their responsibility for caregiving at home or elsewhere, the study found, and that these people need help providing help.
UMass Boston’s Coyle zeroed in at one point on how the town’s older residents get social contact. While 70% get together with others in person daily or weekly, the rest have no in-person interactions on more than a monthly or yearly basis. “When we think about the global dispersion of families and sort of busyness in general, we see how that might occur,” she said. (To be clear, in-person interaction is complemented in many cases with phone or online communications.)
The study also showed worrying statistics on people’s access to others in the area who they can rely on for help. Another finding was that older people who have lived here a long time are less enthused about support from local policy makers.
During the last part of the UMass researchers’ presentation they focused on respondents’ views of the Council on Aging and its home, the Tolles Parsons Center. While the resources are valued, people surveyed indicated their additional wants and needs.
One finding: The older people get, the more often they visit the COA. One challenge for COA employees and volunteers is that they are dealing with a diverse clientele—a mix of regulars and much less frequent visitors. Half of participants only come a few times a year, including to special events. Among those who don’t come, some cite the fact that they still work and that they don’t find the programs of interest. Regular and non-users say they might come more often if there were more night and weekend programs. Lectures, tech skills, and educational courses are among the wants.
The consultants concluded with recommendations, including that the COA become a “champion for healthy aging” both at the Tolles Parsons Center and beyond. This would include collecting information about senior needs on a more regular basis.
One specific recommendation was to create something like a “Senior Civic Academy” to empower and encourage senior activity in town government and decision making. The COA can also have a larger role in ensuring people have access to information on housing, transportation, and financial support programs, the researchers concluded.
Following the presentation, COA Board members Patty Chen and Barbara Searle both wondered how Wellesley compared to other communities. While the researchers didn’t specifically assess the town by a senior-friendly measure, as Chen asked about, Coyle said having a study like the one conducted would be one step in a process for the town to achieve an age-friendly designation if pursued. Coyle said the town’s walkability, access to Boston, and other features does make Wellesley age-friendly, but that there’s also work to be done on fronts such as people feeling welcome regardless of economic status and general affordability concerns about remaining in town.
In a subsequent Council on Aging Board meeting on Dec. 18 (see Wellesley Media recording), board members debriefed on the study.
Chair Judy Gertler said at this meeting “I think we have some really good information to work with going forward.”
Update (1/7/26): The Council on Aging Board, after interviewing one of two finalists for the COA director job on Wednesday afternoon in a public session, announced after about a 20-minute intermission that the meeting would end and that the second candidate would not be interviewing that day. An “administrative issue” was cited for the change of plans and there was mention of scheduling a new meeting.
The Wellesley Council on Aging, whose director was placed on leave last April and resigned over the summer, may soon have a new leader.
Assistant Director Kathy Savage has been serving as acting director in place of departed director Deborah Greenwood.
The Council on Aging Board is holding a special meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 4pm at the Tolles Parsons Center to interview and vote on a director of senior services.
Two experienced candidates were listed on the agenda.
During the Dec. 18 Board meeting, Secretary Pat Decker said six candidates were interviewed.
Among the items on the new director’s agenda will be the opening of the Tolles Parsons Center kitchen, which has been undergoing major construction after being underused for years due to design and permitting issues. A recently completed senior needs assessment will also provide the new director with plenty to chew on.
The COA Board introduced Greenwood as director at the start of 2023. Hiring had proven challenging, with more than 100 resumes reviewed over several months. After a series of interviews, the Board for the COA was twice unable to close the deal with its choices.
Previous Wellesley COA Director Heather Munroe left in April of 2022 after a little more than two years on the job. Before that, Gayle Thieme led the COA for 16 years.
Registration for Wellesley Council on Aging programs for January and February begins Dec. 30 for residents and Dec. 31 for non-residents.
Upcoming highlights include a Valentine’s brunch on Feb. 13 and a Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 19.
Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
When Wellesley launched its volunteer-led Civil Discourse Initiative five years ago, it did so with a goal of bringing community members together for small group discussions. Some of the results of 250 people participating in programs might be hard to measure, but a series of holiday parties being held this season for Wellesley seniors in subsidized housing is as tangible as it gets.
Civil Discourse attendee Nancy Joyce tells us that when she learned there were no holiday events planned specifically for Wellesley seniors in public housing, she reached out to Wellesley Housing Authority Chair Maura Renzella and and Wellesley social worker Wanda Alvarez to see if anything could be done.
They decided to put together three parties, one at each senior housing location in town. The Weston Road and River Street events have already been held, and one more is slated for the Washington Street complex on Dec. 21 from 2-3:30pm. More than 150 people live at those three residences, and those who can’t attend the parties are being given gift bags.
“We only started planning a month ago, but we have been able to get support from so many people and organizations in this short time!” Boyle says. Wellesley Friendly Aid offered to be the fiscal agent, to enable acceptance of tax-free donations. Organizations and individuals ranging from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Wellesley Village Church to Needham Bank, Fells Market, Roche Bros., realtor Teri Adler, were among those making donations or supplying goods and gift cards.
The Hardy and Schofield school neighborhoods came forward with baked goods and donations, while the Wellesley High School Choral Department arranged for singers from a cappella groups Inchordination and Ladies First to entertain party guests (“I think that’s the highlight,” Joyce says).
Wellesley Girl Scouts are serving as party staff, assembling gift bags of items donated by others, and importantly, mingling with residents.
“Everyone just rallied,” Joyce says.
(This is all not to say the Wellesley Council on Aging didn’t have holiday events, including the annual Thanksgiving luncheon with the Fire Department, open to the town’s public housing residents. Also, the Police and Fire Departments were hosting a holiday party at Barton Road, and gifts were being organized for kids in that complex.)
Joyce credits Renee Spencer, the Wellesley Housing Authority’s resident board rep, for bringing the seniors’ needs to her attention in the first place at a Civil Discourse Initiative meeting.
Spencer, in turn, says Joyce has been “a powerhouse” in spearheading the events.
“I enjoyed seeing the children with the seniors, they both had fun,” Spencer says.
Joyce says she learned during the Civil Discourse Initiative that since COVID, support for the communities in subsidized housing has declined for a number of reasons. Some religious and charitable organizations focused their philanthropy in other places, including beyond Wellesley, she was told.
But with some on-the-fly coordination and lots of holiday spirit, Wellesley seniors were served.
“I am really happy with how the parties turned out and I look forward to having a little more time to plan next year!” Joyce says.
Separately, high school Girl Scouts made lasagna—”Lasagna Love”—and helped bring it to Barton Road residents.
The scouts hail from six different high schools, both private and public.
The Friends of the Wellesley Council on Aging this past week presented a Health & Wellness Fair at the Tolles Parsons Center and it drew a big crowd.
“The attendees mentioned they liked the wide variety of services that were represented. And the vendors said they had lots of interested attendees at their booths,” according to Friends’ volunteer Rick Mongeau.
The Oct. 16 event included free health screening, snacks, and raffles and more.
Representatives from Jumbo Capital, which has entered into an agreement for the 888 Worcester St. office complex in Wellesley and an increasing number of other commercial properties in town, said the real estate investment firm is looking to build a senior living project at the Rte. 9 east spot. The roughly 6-acre property at 888 Worcester is currently home away from home for some town employees who were in on this past Monday’s Planning Board meeting, where Jumbo officials and an attorney representing the firm spoke (see Wellesley Media recording of Sept. 29 meeting).
We first posted in June about the possibility of a senior living development coming to the site, which has served as a temporary Town Hall location and currently is home to the Planning Department, Health Department, and more. Planning Director Eric Arbeene said town officials began speaking with Jumbo months ago, but timed the public introduction of possible plans to the fall when more people are back in town. Jumbo reps said they are readying to reach out to neighbors.
“This represents a significant investment in Wellesley,” said Peter Tamm, a Goulston & Storrs attorney representing Jumbo. Tamm has made the rounds in town in the past related to real estate projects at the Wellesley Park site that’s home to The Nines apartments (we reached out to Tamm for an update on Wellesley Park, by the way, and will report separately on that area if there’s anything new).
Wellesley is headed for a huge redevelopment transition, with underused office space and older commercial space changing hands. Jumbo is just the latest entity proposing a housing development in town, with others envisioned for Oakland Street, Walnut Street, and 192-194 Worcester St. Often cited during project proposals or reviews are the town and state’s housing shortage, and recommendations in Wellesley’s emerging Strategic Housing Plan for more diverse housing stock.
Tom Powers, director of acquisitions for Jumbo, said there would be no conceptual plans to show yet, as the real estate development, management, and investment firm is in the feedback gathering stage about the future of the dated office property. The property sits next to the Boston Sports Institute at 900 Worcester St., and contains about 70,000 sq. ft. of office space across two buildings.
A challenge for Jumbo will be getting town approval to amend zoning for the property, which mainly occupies Administrative & Professional Districts. Town Meeting would need to approve any change, and then a project would need to navigate the usual maze of town department and board sign-offs.
“Some flexibility is going to be necessary to redevelop this site,” Tamm said.
Jumbo’s Sam Weissman, director of development, described a possible facility that would include independent living, assisted living, and memory care with proximity to amenities such as the town’s trail network. A facility is pictured that would include an indoor pool, a salon, and other features. The site could accommodate a project similar in some ways to Waterstone in lower falls, though larger.
Planning Board members said the project could be an improvement on the current site, which is heavy on parking and light on usable outdoor space. Jim Roberti expressed support for Jumbo’s direction, though warned that going the residential incentive overlay (RIO) zoning route would best be avoided in light of some recent failed attempts (Tamm confirmed RIO would not be the team’s direction). Roberti also noted that neighbors raised concerns about the height of the sports complex next door when it was being conceived, so that Jumbo should be aware of that.
The Board’s Patty Mallett and Kathleen Woodward agreed with these points, and said they felt optimistic that the town might support such a project given the desire for more senior options. Chair Marc Charney said: “This site is an example of where development and redevelopment fits…”
The Jumbo team said they’re looking to address issues like traffic, fiscal impact, and sustainability ahead of bringing anything to Town Meeting, whichever Town Meeting that might be, and will be reaching out to neighbors—as well as other town bodies and departments—in coming weeks (We welcome neighbors to pass along any Jumbo communications to us to help us keep the entire community informed).
Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com