Thank you to Nancy Thompson, who took this photo of a rainbow over Morses Pond in Wellesley after the storm blew through on Thursday evening.
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Nature
Wellesley storm ends with a rainbow
Drought conditions worsen in Wellesley’s region
The drought status for the southeast region of the state that includes Wellesley has been raised from a Level 0 designation (normal conditions) by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to Level 1 (mild drought). Wellesley last month saw its designation drop from Level 2 (significant drought) to normal conditions, after which the Board of Public Works rescinded one-day per week outdoor watering restrictions that had been in effect since February.
Expect the board, which meets on May 13, to have something to say about the latest designation.
Despite the previously improved drought status, the Wellesley Water Department was still discouraging business and property owners from going wild with their water, both for conservation purposes as well as for lawn health. They were recommending a voluntary conservation program of two outdoor watering days per week, and to irrigate before 9 am and after 5 pm to reduce water loss from evaporation.
Here’s what the state recommends for residents and businesses in Level 1 communities:
- Minimize overall water use;
- Consider installing a rain barrel to collect rainwater for lawn and garden watering
- For any upcoming outdoor water use, limit watering to one day a week (only from 5:00 pm – 9:00 am), or less frequently if required by your water supplier
- For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities;
You can track your water use via the Water Customer Portal.
Contact the DPW Water & Sewer Division with questions at (781) 235-7600 extension 3355.
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What drought? Wellesley rescinds outdoor watering restrictions
The drought status for the southeast region of the state that includes Wellesley has been decreased from a Level 2 “significant drought” designation by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to normal conditions. As a result, Wellesley’s Board of Public Works has rescinded one-day per week outdoor watering restrictions that had been in effect since February.
“I’m surprised, I did not see that coming,” Department of Public Works Director Dave Cohen said during the Board of Public Works meeting on April 13. “I thought that perhaps we would get to a Level 1 [mild drought] but they brought us all the way back to a Level 0.”
Despite the improved drought status, the Wellesley Water Department still discourages business and property owners from going wild with their water, both for conservation purposes as well as for lawn health. They’re recommending a voluntary conservation program of two outdoor watering days per week, and to irrigate before 9 am and after 5 pm to reduce water loss from evaporation.
You can track your water use via the Water Customer Portal.
Contact the DPW Water & Sewer Division with questions at (781) 235-7600 extension 3355.
Expand your reach by advertising on Swellesley.
Public service announcement—Are you or someone you know having trouble heating your home?
In the final weeks of the winter season, Massachusetts residents are finding it increasingly more difficult to heat their homes, as a colder-than-average season continues and fuel costs rise due to global turmoil.
But there is still time to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a critical resource that helps eligible households pay for winter heating costs.
The free statewide program assists eligible residents with covering heating costs, providing supplemental funding that allows eligible renters and homeowners to keep their homes safe and warm.
Bay Staters can learn more about eligibility and apply for HEAP by visiting mass.gov/heat.
Winter weather
Blizzard in Wellesley by the numbers
We asked Wellesley’s Department of Public Works to share some numbers from this week’s blizzard. Jeff Azano-Brown, assistant director of the DPW, followed up:
Snowfall Accumulation: 14 inches
Peak snowfall rate (inches/hour): 3”/hr
Peak wind: 45 MPH
Duration of storm: 18 hours
Duration of response: 26 hours initially; continuing on sidewalks/lots all week
Salt used: 244 tons
Emergency issues: 1 pole down from accident
Tree-related issues: 2 trees down
Resident John Maccini had a front row seat to watch the town impressively restore power in his neighborhood within a few hours after a plow truck crashed into a utility pole and snapped it on Monday during the blizzard.
More: Won’t you adopt an adorable Wellesley hydrant?
Weather
Wellesley Public Schools closed again on Tuesday due to snowstorm; Town Hall to re-open
Wellesley Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 24 as a result of the winter storm. It was closed on Feb. 23 as well (along with just about everything else).
“The winter storm that arrived last night will continue to affect our area into this evening,” Supt. David Lussier wrote to the community. “After consulting with our Department of Public Works and other Town leaders, I don’t believe we can safely open schools tomorrow, as we all continue to dig out from the storm. As such, the Wellesley Public Schools will remain closed for classes and all operations on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. All WPS buildings will be closed throughout the day and all afternoon and evening activities are also canceled…”
Town Hall will reopen for regular hours. Residents are asked to hold off on heading to the Recycling & Disposal Facility if possible to allow staff to handle other duties.
The Wellesley Free Library Main Branch will open two hours late at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and will close at 9:00 p.m. Other branches will be closed, as will the Tolles Parsons Center
Blizzard taking its toll on Wellesley
This week’s blizzard has Wellesley Public Safety departments working non-stop, with the police sharing updates on social media about visibility, downed trees, and power outages.
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Meanwhile, at Wellesley College, student Iris Zhan has shared with us photos from inside dorm windows.
Feel free to share some of our own: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
Weather
Wellesley Public Schools, Town Hall closed Monday due to expected winter storm
Wellesley Public Schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23, due to the expected winter storm. So February vacation week lasts a little bit longer.
All afternoon and evening activities are off as well.
Wellesley Town Hall and all non-emergency municipal buildings will be closed all day on Feb. 23. This includes the Recycling and Disposal Facility, Tolles Parsons Center/Council on Aging, the Warren Health & Recreation Building, and Wellesley Free Library. All afternoon and evening activities are also canceled.
Town staff will be working remotely where feasible.
Assorted local businesses have been announcing plans to close for the day as well.