The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Sunday storm brings Wellesley Father’s Day gifts of downed trees

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We didn’t know that Mother Nature was known to give gifts on Father’s Day, but on late Sunday afternoon she whipped through Wellesley to drop off a few little things, like trees and over an inch of rain. How did she know that area dads had been dreaming of localized flooding and downed maples? If you happened to give the special dad in your life a sump pump and a chain saw, then congratulations. You have officially nailed the art of gift-giving.

Thanks to our sharp-eyed readers who sent along pics of Father’s Day Storm 2020:

Wellesley storm, Brook Path
A large tree blocks the Brook Path. Flo the dog seems unperturbed. Just another photo op, credit to RE.

 

Wellesley storm, Hunnewell tennis courts
A large pine tree came down on the aqueduct side of the Hunnewell tennis courts. With high winds came over an inch of rain. Photo credit: MC

 

Wellesley storm, Wildon Rd.
Tree down across the aqueduct at Wildon Rd. Photo credit, Elizabeth May
Wellesley storm, Wildon Rd.
Another angle of the tree down across the aqueduct at Wildon Rd. Photo credit, Elizabeth May

Earlier this month, another crazy storm roared through Wellesley. That one resulted in a tree blocking Rice St. and felled trees at the Wellesley Country Club and Great Plain Ave.

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With better weather, Morses Pond shaping up as next Wellesley hot spot

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Move over Brook Path. Now it’s time for Wellesley to figure out how to handle growing crowds at Morses Pond as the COVID-19 crisis continues.

Morses Pond mask signReaders have begun to ask about the beach area at Wellesley’s Morses Pond. Kids have been bugging parents to let them hang out there. But is it open? Can people swim in the pond? Good questions.

We checked in with Recreation Department Director Matt Chin, who said, “all State and Town regulations regarding face covering and social distancing  applies to anyone utilizing a Town park. As for swimming, there is signage at the Pond indicating that no lifeguards are on duty, and there are risks associated with swimming.”

Chin pointed out that the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) oversees and manages the pond and beach area, and that Rec manages programs there during the summer months. Because the gate at Turner Road is closed, the Morses Pond parking lot is not accessible.

However, people may park at the Turner Road area, as neighbors know only too well, and walk down to the pond. The trails system at the pond is open. The beach is also accessible, although the playground equipment is off-limits. The pond and beach area closes at sunset.

The NRC at this time has not put into place any additional rules related to the use of Morses Pond beyond those enacted at the  state and town level. But the NRC has a meeting on Thursday, May 7, so don’t be surprised if this comes up.

When we swung by the pond on Wednesday at around 530pm, with temps feeling colder than the 51 showing on the iPhone, the park and trails were peopled but not busy. We saw a smattering of people with and without masks walking dogs with and without leashes. And yes, we saw one of those dreaded packs of unmasked teens huddled on bikes and skateboards.

 

morses pond playground off limits
Morses Pond playgrounds, like other public ones in town, are off limits due to COVID-19 concerns

 

Governor Charlie Baker’s order requiring masks or cloth face coverings in both indoor and outdoor public places went into effect May 6 and says that anybody over the age of 2 in a public place “whether indoor or outdoor and is unable or does not maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet from every other person shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face.” There is an exception for people unable to wear masks due to medical conditions.

The Board of Health and the Board of Selectmen issued a supplemental order to Baker’s order, which includes specific guidelines for outdoor activities in Wellesley.  Based on DPH Guidance, this local order gives parents discretion for children ages 2-5.

Although we’ve seen pictures of large groups of people at the Morses Pond Beach area, it may be an exercise in futility for town officials to regulate and enforce that kind of behavior, particularly as the weather warms up. Town officials’ appetite for further enhancing regulations is likely not there given the recent brouhaha when the Boards considered banning runners and cyclists from the Brook Path.

The State is expected to update its orders on May 14. At that time, certain rules may be relaxed, perhaps leading the town to follow suit. In the meantime, it seems likely that the nicer and sunnier the days get, the more people will gather at MOPO.

Morses Pond

More: Recreation Commission: Wellesley summer camps registration is “paused”

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Snowy Wellesley, special April edition

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A surprise spring snowstorm hit Wellesley overnight and lasted through mid-morning, covering daffodils, forsythias, and magnolia tree blooms in a blanket of white. Count this last blast of winter as a mid-April shower, not a killing frost. Our hearty New England flora should all be fine once tomorrows temps rise into the 60s.

Click here to check out more on our Instagram, and follow us.

Last Wellesley saw late-season snow was back in March 2016. 

Wellesley forsythia

The beloved Great Plain Ave. forsythia, weighed down under a load of heavy, wet snow.

 

Wellesley forsythia
Wellesley forsythia, Great Plain Ave.

 

 

Wellesley magnolia, snowy day
A pink magnolia tree, Benvenue St., Wellesley.

 

These masked snow people don’t look to be 6 feet apart, but they’re family (photo shared by Jack Blatz)

 

maugus hill fortress snow
Maugus Hill Fortress in progress. Pictured left to right, Samantha Marsh, Ethan Haroutunian, Sebby Haroutunian, Henry Marsh (thanks to Caitlin Remby, the Haroutunians’ mom, for sharing)

 

cherry blossoms elizabeth cohen
Chilled Cherry Blossoms, shared by Elizabeth Cohen

 

Centennial Park, Wellesley, snowy day

I headed over to Centennial Park for a walk in the snow. The popular spot was a Wild West of unleashed dogs and un-masked people.

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Waban Arches part of Wellesley post-storm clean-up

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A huge tree fell on and beneath the historic Waban Arches in Wellesley as a result of this week’s storm. It looks like the Department of Public Works already has been on the job atop the bridge, located by the Charles River and Nehoiden Golf Club. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has been contacted as well.

More: Wellesley Police field dozens of storm-damaged tree, car & house calls

Wellesley hikes — the Waban Arches and Sudbury Aqueduct

big tree down at waban arches stormbig tree down at waban arches stormbig tree down at waban arches stormbig tree down at waban arches storm

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Wellesley Police field dozens of storm-damaged tree, car & house calls

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The Wellesley Police Department shared this list of a few dozen calls to the Emergency Communications Center on Monday, April 13 about trees and branches coming down during the storm. We rounded up some of the dramatic photos on Monday, and here are a couple more.

The police note that “there were many other tree branches that came down and were removed from the roadways by officers or called into the Park and Tree Department but were not logged by the Emergency Communications Center because the roadways were passable.”

 

 

Wellesley College president tree storm
Wellesley College’s presidents temporarily got a new view after this tree branch collapsed on Washington Street

 

tree house storm
Photo by PC

 

tree house storm
Photo by PC

 

  • 10:53 a.m. 828 Washington Street – tree down blocking road and on power lines
  • 11:22 a.m. Route 9 @ Bancroft – tree down blocking road
  • 12:28 p.m. Grove Street @ Sabrina Farm – tree on power lines
  • 12:32 p.m. Route 9 @ Edmunds Road – tree down blocking Route 9 west traffic detoured
  • 12:49 p.m. Pond Road @ Washington Street – tree down blocking road and on power lines.
  • 12:49 p.m. Walnut Street @ Washington Street – tree down blocking road, moved by officer to side of roadway
  • 1:06 p.m.  Cleveland @ Weston Road – tree down blocking road
  • 1:14 p.m. 277 Linden Street – tree down blocking road, traffic detoured
  • 1:16 p.m. Elmwood Road – tree down blocking road and on power lines, road closed between Cavanagh & Ingersoll
  • 1:24 p.m. Great Plain Ave @ Brook – tree down partially blocking roadway
  • 2:08 p.m. Weston Road @ Pine Plain Road – tree down blocking road, officers moved to side of road
  • 2:18 p.m. 400 Wellesley Ave – tree down blocking road and on power lines, road closed between Brookside and Hunnewell
  • 2:21 p.m. Spruce Park – tree on a house
  • 2:23 p.m. Russell Road – tree on a house
  • 2:43 p.m. Brook Street – tree blocking road, struck street light
  • 2:51 p.m. Hunnewell @ Comeau Street – tree down blocking road and on power lines
  • 2:55 p.m. Amherst Road – tree down blocking road
  • 2:58 p.m. Wilson Street – tree down blocking road
  • 3:14 p.m. Benvenue Street – tree on a house
  • 3:16 p.m. Washington Street @ Forest Street – light pole down
  • 3:22 p.m. MacArthur Road @ Bradley Ave – tree on wires
  • 3:33 p.m. Albion Road – tree branch in roadway
  • 3:56 p.m. Scotch Pine Road – tree into a house
  • 4:12 p.m. Seaward Road – tree branch partially blocking road
  • 4:18 p.m. Highland Road – tree in roadway
  • 4:22 p.m. Audubon Road – tree in roadway, road closed
  • 4:32 p.m. Route 9 @ Mulherin Lane – tree branch in roadway, officers moved to side of road
  • 4:32 p.m. Forest St @ Franklin Road – tree blocking road, road closed
  • 4:41 p.m. Rice Street – tree blocking road, road closed
  • 4:41 p.m. Thackeray Road – tree on car
  • 5:01 p.m. Beechwood @ Shirley Road – tree in roadway
  • 5:07 p.m. Inverness Road @ Lincoln Road – tree blocking road, 1 lane open after officer partially moved tree
  • 5:13 p.m. Mulherin Lane – large tree down
  • 5:34 p.m. Boulder Brook Road – tree on a car
  • 5:39 p.m. 100 Worcester Street – traffic signal light damaged – State DPW notified
  • 5:54 p.m. The Waterway – Tree in the road
  • 6:37 p.m. 575 Washington Street – large tree blocking sidewalk and parking spots

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Storm & downed trees pile on Wellesley

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Monday’s rain and high winds are giving Wellesley residents quite a show, breaking up the routine that many of us have become accustomed to in recent weeks during the coronavirus stay-at-home advisory.

This huge tree, across from Dover Saddlery on Washington Street at the edge of Wellesley Square, came crashing down on Monday afternoon on top of an iron fence. One silver lining of people staying home is that no one was parked in the spaces that the tree now occupies.

594 washington st tree storm
Photo by Duncan Brown

After the storm

594 Washington St tree
Via Google Street View (before the storm)

 

594 washington st tree storm
Photo by Duncan Brown

 

Swellesley reader MC sent these shots of tree damage next to the ropes and climbing structure at Wellesley High School. Guess it’s a new feature of that apparatus.

Rice Street tree down stormRice Street tree down storm

Linden Street was not left unscathed either. Thanks to Victoria Ostler for sharing the photo below.

Linden Street tree down
Tree down on Linden Street (photo by Victoria Ostler)

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Wellesley forsythia forcing follow up: it’s a bright-yellow party at my house

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Last week I took Swellesley readers through a how-to on forcing forsythia, that workhorse shrub of cheerfulness that busts out its golden bells in early spring. In time, forsythia, will, of course, simply bloom all on its own outdoors. The earlier varieties are starting to do just that. Still, given my skill set, waiting on spring seemed unnecessary. My patience is being tested in so many ways right now, why must I wait for a riot of color in my life? I wanted to make something happen, to move and shake in some small way. I can’t control the flowering of a global pandemic, but I can control the flowering of forsythia. Gardener or a control freak? Sometimes I wonder.

Wellesley forsythia blooms

From the suburban wilds of my backyard to the confines of a vase, the forsythia shrubs got a good shearing all in the name of floral design. They were unwieldy anyway, their branches shooting out this way and that. A good cutting has made for a tidier shrub outside, and a wild-looking arrangement to be taken inside. The natural world turned upside down.

Forcing forsythia, Wellesley

Several days later, a party burst out in confined quarters. That’s what happens when you throw a bunch of branches together into a warm-water bath, a hot-tub for flowers, if you will.

Forcing forsythia, Wellesley

I do it all for Mr. Swellesley, who demands fresh flowers at his workspace at all times. My co-editor may be high-maintenance, but he gets results, so I put up with his demanding nature.

Forcing forsythia, Wellesley

On my kitchen windowsill, a secondary arrangement gazes out the window as yesterday’s snow starts.

Snowy topiary, Hunnewell, Wellesley

The best time to go for a walk while maintaining social distancing is most definitely during a March snow squall. Deer sightings outnumbered the people (8 to 6). I accessed the Lake Waban path from Pond Rd., and kept to the Hunnewell property part of the path so as to avoid Wellesley College. The school is closed to visitors now to protect the students who remain on campus, some of whom have medical conditions and take the need to quarantine themselves seriously.

Wellesley cows, Hunnewell

Cows at Hunnewell Farm. By this point in my walk I was weary and longing for a hot cuppa tea. The final stretch was a trudge, my sneakers wet, my vision blurred as I battled a headwind. I let my sodden gear drop on the mud room floor and opened the door to the house proper. A wall of central heating hit me as I made my way further into the coziness of hallway, family room, and finally, dining room.

“Hey there, how was your walk?” shouted the forsythia. It’s in full bloom now, and can’t keep quiet for anything.

“Quiet, lonely, desolate, blustery, cold,” I replied.

“Never mind that now,” said the forsythia. “Things are just fantastic here. I’m loving these warm temperatures you have going on. Very nice.”

That’s the thing about forsythia indoors. The blooms may be forced, but the cheerfulness isn’t. Just what I need right now.

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