Wellesley seniors news: COA kitchen survey; Masks still required; Happy 50th!; Director search; Health Fair in October

September 20, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley seniors news:

Council on Aging kitchen survey

Wellesley’s Facilities Management Department is conducting a feasibility study on the Council on Aging’s kitchen to determine the best way to move forward and get the kitchen licensed for use. The Tolles Parsons Center commercial-grade appliances currently can’t be put to use.

Have your voice heard on the topic via this survey, which is open until Friday, Sept. 23 at 12:30pm.

Masks still required

The Board of Directors for the Council on Aging decided at its Sept. 15 meeting (discussion starts about 70 minutes into the Wellesley Media recording) to keep the mask and COVID-19 vaccination requirements that have been in place since early in the year. Results from a survey of senior center users found that the majority favored keeping restrictions in place, though there was some call to separate mask and vaccination requirements (so say, masks could be optional but proof of up-to-date vaccinations would be required).

There was sentiment from a couple of senior center users who called in, as well as some on the board, that masks should be optional. But most of the board felt it should wait to approve a change in the policy until we see how things go with COVID early this fall, and until more people get a chance to secure the new bivalent boosters. Anecdotes were shared of people trying to get those boosters and getting shut out of late due to supply chain issues that are expected to lessen soon.

The board plans to revisit the issue at its next meeting.

Happy 50th!

The Wellesley Council on Aging celebrates its 50th anniversary today. The group’s first meeting was held on Sept. 20, 1972.

Director search continues

The Council on Aging Board this week held a couple of preliminary screening sessions as it attempts to find a new director of senior services. The board was unable to come to terms with its choice following a selection process during the summer.

The board has narrowed a field of about 40 applicants to fewer than 10, and has begun interviews. Hopes are to get a new director in place in early November.

Health fair on Oct. 13

Come to the Wellesley Health & Wellness Fair presented by the Wellesley Council on Aging on Oct. 13 from 11am-2pm at the Tolles Parsons Center at 500 Washington St.

The Council has assembled more than 40 health and wellness professionals and exhibitors for this free event. Free health screenings will be available.

• Hear about the latest trends in fitness & nutrition
• Explore home health care and residential living opportunities
• Find answers to legal or financial questions specific to seniors

More information from the Friends of Wellesley Council on Aging.

Wellesley Council on Aging still searching for a director

August 4, 2022 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

Less than two weeks after the Council on Aging Board made its selection for a new director of senior services on the heels of a public interview process, the seniors group is once again on the lookout for a leader. The two parties couldn’t come to a contract agreement.

The Wellesley Council on Aging Board had chosen Robert Connors, pending negotiation of compensation and benefits. He was to have replaced Heather Munroe, who left in April after a little more than two years on the job (the 2021 annual town report listed her salary at about $95K).

Connors had been chosen over another finalist, Elaine Eliopoulos. The Council on Aging received more than 40 applications for the job posting, held four executive sessions to process that information, and whittled down finalists from six to two.

Update (8/10/22): The job posting is online

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Wellesley Council on Aging selects new director

July 22, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Council on Aging Board this week made its selection for the next director of senior services, choosing between two finalists with very different skill sets. One with a deep financial and business background, though also with solid credentials in elder services, and one with background as an attorney and more recently involved in gerontology research.

Following more than 90 minutes on interviews with the candidates followed by discussion, the Board chose Robert Connors, pending negotiation of compensation and benefits. He would replace Heather Munroe, who left in April after a little more than two years on the job (the 2021 annual town report listed her salary at about $95K).

(Update 8/2/22: A recording of the July 21 interview meeting has been pulled from Wellesley Media at the request of the Council on Aging.)

Connors explained a career shift into elder services over the past 10 or so years as having stemmed from the unexpected death of his father, who had big plans for post-retirement life cut short. “It was time for me to focus on things that had a little more personal and social impact other than just making money…” said Connors, who earned a master’s in gerontology in 2013.

The Council on Aging received more than 40 applications for the job posting, held four executive sessions to process that information, and whittled down finalists from six to two. Those two were Connors and Elaine Eliopoulos, an attorney who has also run an acupuncture business in Weston and is currently working on a Ph.D. in gerontology.

During the interview process with the board, Connors discussed his interest in the changes taking place in the world of elder services fueled by a “Silver Tsunami” in which 10,000 Americans a day are turning 65. Changes in everything from social to housing to tech will be “a launching point for a lot of things coming down the pike,” he said. While Connors works in elder services now, he acknowledged frustration with lots of turnover at his current workplace as one reason for possibly leaving.

In Wellesley, some 6,500 people out of our roughly 29,000 residents are seniors, according to Council on Aging board members. Connors said one thing that captured his attention after seeing the job opening was the Tolles Parsons Center that serves as senior central in town. The state-of-the-art nature of the facility “showed me a commitment to this cohort in the Wellesley community,” he said.

Connors said his goals would include bringing as many services as possible to a broad group of seniors.

Council on Aging Board Search Committee Chair Marlene Allen said during the post-interview discussion: “What I particularly like about Robert is his breadth of involvement in different things from deep into finance, and deep into business and deep into working with seniors…,” Allen said, noting his work as well in state and federal programs.

More: Wellesley Council on Aging kitchen all the talk

Wellesley Senior Living project proposed for top of Pond Road

July 5, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Pond Road is known for its winding and hilly course through dense forest. It’s abutted by farmland, Lake Waban, Wellesley College property, and stately homes, including some owned by the Hunnewells. It’s officially a scenic road, though has experienced a change of scenery since two homes were built near the street over the past year. Also, when you now look across Rte. 135 from the top of Pond Road you see a chain link fence topped with barbed wire in front of the railroad tracks.

Now the scenery at the top of Pond Road, near Rte. 135, could be changed significantly again. The property owner, who sold to the developer those homes at 194 and 196 Pond Road, has now apparently sold 200 Pond Rd., to an investment firm. Plans are to build a multi-story, 130,000 sq. ft. assisted living and memory care facility where a 10,000-plus sq. ft. Georgian Colonial estate with a pool and tennis court now stands. That 1990 home, on property spanning some 9.6 acres, has gone on the market in the past for nearly $10M (see dramatic realtor video).

While the address for 200 Pond Rd., is in Wellesley, the long, meandering driveway leads to a compound situated across the town line in Natick.

So exactly how the approval process for this proposal will play out in the neighboring towns remains to be seen. We reached out last week to Natick officials and will update this post if we hear back.

Wellesley officials have had an introductory briefing on the project and have shared information both during the June 27 Select Board meeting (about 27 minutes into the Wellesley Media recording) and in a follow-up email.

The Wellesley Senior Living project comes from HYM Investment Group, Balfour Senior Living & Welltower, and Robert A.M. Stern Architects. We reached out to Balfour in late June, but have not heard back.

The project team’s pitch for the 130-unit facility includes that it will “establish a world-class senior care community in a bucolic landscape” and “preserve the nature of Pond Road” in part by screening the project’s view from those traveling along the road. During summer, when the trees are full, you can’t see much of the 200 Pond Rd., property from the street, though you get a pretty good view of it from those two new homes.

The developer’s presentation to the Wellesley officials included plans to improve the 175 feet of Pond Road (which stretches 6,200-plus feet overall) between the driveway and Rte. 135.

wellesley senior living — Wellesley Senior Living presentation

Project planners point out that most residents won’t have vehicles, and that employee traffic will be spread out and reduced via shuttles to public transit. Still, with visitors, employees, deliveries, etc., there’s no doubt that the introduction of such a facility will make crossing Pond Road at the Rte. 135 intersection dicier for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers both during and after construction.

Balfour is an experienced developer of such projects, and has a senior living facility planned in Brookline for 2024.

Wellesley Senior Living will be located just over a mile from a new “luxury senior living” facility in Natick on Rte. 135 dubbed Anthology, which doesn’t appear to include information on its website about pricing (“If you have to ask…”). The large assisted living and memory care facility will have 86 units, and replaced a handful of houses along the Boston Marathon route.

Wellesley Select Board member Ann-Mara Lanza asked during the recent Select Board meeting whether any affordable units might be part of the Wellesley Senior Living plans. Town Executive Director Meghan Jop said she wasn’t sure, though that would be up to Natick, and whether it has an inclusionary zoning provision. The presumably kitchen-less units in such a facility wouldn’t count toward Wellesley’s housing totals, but would provide more nearby housing for seniors.

The Wellesley Senior Living plan could necessitate a rezoning of the land in Wellesley given intentions to use it for commercial activity, Jop said. The project is expected to formally go before the Wellesley Select Board at some point, and then Town Meeting after that if it proceeds.

The project developers are expected to aim for zoning approval in Natick in the fall.

More: Resources for seniors in Wellesley

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Wellesley Business Buzz: Nail salon closes; Waterstone celebrates 10 years

May 2, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our roundup of the latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Nails Studio closing

Nails Studio at 451 Worcester St., has informed customers that it was closing on May 1 due to the high cost of leasing its space. “We hope that we have been successful in offering excellent service and maintaining good customer service,” the message to customers reads, in part. The business refers customers to Aer Nailbar in Brookline.

Waterstone celebrates 10 years

Waterstone at Wellesley, an independent living and assisted living facility in Lower Falls on Washington Street, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

One impressive feat is that 10 team members who began their careers at Waterstone are still there.

These include Susan Dellorco, Business Office Manager; Maureen Horan, Wellness Director; Thomas W. Slamin, Facilities Maintenance Director; Cathyann Hansen, Caregiver; Felicie Leon, Caregiver (not pictured); Shannon Costello, Wellness Nurse, Mary Ann Deneault, Concierge; Genielle Homicil, Caregiver (not pictured); Ismaela Jean, Caregiver (not pictured); Victor Norvil, Dietary Team Member (not pictured).

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Wellesley Council on Aging seeks new director

April 23, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Council on Aging‘s Director of Senior Services, Heather Munroe, has announced her resignation effective April 28. She’s been named town administrator for Paxton, Mass., which is in Worcester County.

tolles parsons — Photo credit: Tolles Parsons Center

Munroe joined the Council on Aging early in the pandemic, and Board Chair Marlene Allen said during a meeting this week that the outgoing director’s accomplishments included helping patrons score COVID-19 vaccine appointments early on, led a technology transition that helped staff work remotely and patrons enjoy online programs, improved the lunch program, and overall brought policies and procedures up to date.

“Heather was clear with us from the beginning that her intent was to return to town administration, we just didn’t know when,” Allen said, making the announcement about 3:30 minutes into the Wellesley Media recording.

Munroe previously served as an interim town administrator in Barre and as town administrator in Ashburnham, according to her LinkedIn profile.

A director search/staff plan is on the agenda for the April 26 Council on Aging Board retreat.

More: Wellesley Council on Aging kitchen all the talk (February, 2022)

Wellesley Weston Lifetime Learning offers low-cost courses to seniors

February 14, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley-Weston Lifetime Learning is offering a number of engaging and interactive spring 2022 courses for area seniors. The ten-week Zoom sessions will cover a mix of high-interest topics with course titles such as Famous Trials; Poetry for the People; American History through a Cinematic Lens; Wollen Sie Deutsch Sprechen?; Bright Moments of Jazz and Rock; Stories of Conflict through a Narrator’s Lens; Writing your Story; and others.

COURSE DATES: March 14 – May 23, 2022
TIME: Mondays, 10am-11am and/or 11:30am-12:30pm
LOCATION: via Zoom
COST: $25 registration fee covers one or two courses for the ten-week semester
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: www.wwllcourses.org