The Swellesley Report

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

Letters-to-the-editor day in Wellesley—important election-time updates

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The Swellesley Report accepts letters to the editor. Letters must be of general local community interest and must be signed. Community shout-outs are also accepted and encouraged. For example, a non-profit may thank an organization for a donation received.

How to submit your letter to the editor

The deadline is Wednesday at noon for letters to appear on Friday EXCEPT the week before the Tuesday, March 7, 2023 Town election.

The week before the Town election, the deadline for letters to the editor is Friday, Feb. 24. Those letters will run  Tuesday, Feb. 28.

No letters to the editor will run on Friday, Feb. 24 OR Friday, March 3.

Submitting a letter to the editor does not guarantee that your letter will be posted on The Swellesley Report.

Review of dates for letters to the editor during election season

  • Wednesday, Jan. 25, noon—deadline to submit a letter to the editor
    Friday, Jan. 27—letters to the editor run
  • Wednesday, Feb. 1, noon—deadline to submit a letter to the editor
    Friday, Feb. 3—letters to editor run
  • Wednesday, Feb. 8, noon—deadline to submit a letter to the editor
    Friday, Feb. 10—letters to editor run
  • Wednesday, Feb. 15, noon—deadline to submit a letter to the editor
    Friday, Feb. 17—letters to editor run
  • Friday, Feb. 24—no letters to the editor will run
  • Friday, Feb. 24, noon—deadline to submit a letter to the editor
    Tuesday, Feb 28—letters to editor run
  • Friday, March 3, no letters to the editor will run

Letters must be written for The Swellesley Report only—we do not accept form-type letters sent to multiple news agencies.

Please review detailed guidelines for letters to the editor here.

Send letters to the editor to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Election letter guidelines

Letters endorsing candidates; pro/con on ballot initiatives; “get out the vote” type letters; etc. are accepted.

As a general policy, if a sampling of letters on a particular issue has already been published, subsequent letters on that same issue may not be published.

Generally speaking, we are willing to run a few letters of endorsement per candidate as well as a few letters about any one issue over the course of the campaign. We would not run letters that are virtual carbon copies of each other.

What Swellesley wants to avoid is serving as a platform for a concerted campaign that is trying to shut out other voices by trying to flood our letters to the editor page with their own agenda.

Please limit the number of signers…we contact letter writers to confirm authenticity and don’t have time to reach out to multiple signers.

No election-related letters will be published the week before the election.

Please review detailed guidelines for letters to the editor here.

Linden Square, Wellesley
Riverbend, Natick

Wellesley business buzz: Board business liaison phased out; Help ID top business leaders of color; Hospital taps new president

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The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Board business liaison phased out

During a Jan. 19 meeting at the Wellesley Police Station, the Wellesley Select Board eliminated the Business Liaison position, an assignment that currently partners Select Board member Beth Sullivan Woods with Wellesley’s business community as a whole. Over the past approximately 20 years, a liaison from the Board has served as a point person between the town’s businesses and Town Hall staff.

Demian Wendrow, president of the Wellesley Square Merchants Association and owner of London Harness, during Citizens Speak said, “We strongly oppose getting rid of the position of liaison for the merchants.” He likened such a move to taking away a line of direct communication between the town and over 100 businesses in Wellesley Square, Linden Square, and other areas of town, particularly as merchants come out of the challenges of COVID.

Board members against eliminating the Business Liaison position agreed with Wendrow that to do so would signal a loss of support from the Town.

Board members in favor of eliminating the position cited the leadership of Town staff and said that all five Select Board members were available to listen to comments and concerns and lend support at any time.

The Board voted 3-2 to eliminate the Business Liaison position with Lise Olney, Tom Ulfelder, and Colette Aufranc voting to eliminate the liaison position and Ann-Mara Lanza and Beth Sullivan Woods voting to keep the liaison.

Help identify the most influential Business Leaders of Color

The Charles River Regional Chamber is partnering with Colette Phillips Communications and Get Konnected! to compile the

50 Most Influential Business Leaders of Color list for 2023.  It will recognize leaders and emerging talent within Greater Boston’s western suburbs, including Wellesley.

You can nominate candidates between now and Feb. 6. The list will be published this spring, and an event will be held to celebrate the honorees.

2023 BPOC Email Header

Hospital taps new leader

Ellen Moloney newton-wellesley
Ellen Moloney

Newton-Wellesley Hospital has named Ellen Moloney as its next president and chief operating officer, effective March 1. She succeeds Dr. Errol Norwitz. She’s actually held the COO role for the past 8 years. She will become the hospital’s first woman president.

Moloney joined Newton-Wellesley in 1997, and her accomplishments include the development and significant expansions of cancer, breast imaging, and ambulatory care services, as well as the implementation of the hospital’s electronic medical record system.

Moloney previously served as the hospital’s Director of Clinical Ancillary Services and as Senior Vice President for Outpatient Services.

 

 

 

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Wellesley Lacrosse

Sign up now for summer camp in Wellesley (and beyond)

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SPONSORED CONTENT: Thanks to NEOC (pronounced nē-äk) for their swell sponsorship of The Swellesley Report’s Summer Camps page.

NEOC is a premier summer day camp experience that connects campers to nature through encouragement of their personal interests. Additionally, NEOC is a throw-back to vintage summer camps where children explored and played outside at an easy pace and without any technology at all. The NEOC team offers attentive customer service and convenience-focused amenities to support the needs of parents and families. REGISTER HERE.

Check out more great summer programs at The Swellesley Report’s Summer Camps page.

NEOC, Wellesley

 

Wellesley Friendly Aid

Wellesley Cotillion makes a strong comeback

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The Wellesley Cotillion returned on Jan. 7 after a pandemic hiatus, and organizers say the entirely volunteer-run event was a rousing success. That looks to be the case based on these photos.

Congrats to the 625 students, their families and some 100 volunteers for bringing back the winter formal, held at Lombardo’s in Randolph, in style.

The Cotillion Committee said: “We can’t thank all of the students enough for their ‘elegant’ behavior —the staff at Lombardo’s as well as the parent chaperones were very impressed by the pleasant and polite demeanor of each and every attendee.”

Not to be overlooked were the efforts of volunteers. From gathering mailing lists and stuffing envelopes, to wrangling buses and working at check-in, from taking amazing pictures and chaperoning the actual event, the volunteers helped create a memorable evening for Wellesley teens.

Organizers will be looking for new volunteers to replace the “graduating” committee members. If you are the parent of a current junior or sophomore and would like to help with the planning for next year’s event, please email WellesleyCotillion@gmail.com for more information.

(Photos courtesy of The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee)

The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee

The 2023 Wellesley Cotillion Committee

Wellesley outdoors: ‘Very robust’ lawn conversion plan taking shape; Conservation Land Trust updates

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Catching up on some of Wellesley’s outdoors-related news:

‘Very robust’ lawn conversion plan taking shape

The Natural Resource Commission this spring will begin expanding upon the lawn conversion pilot rolled out last year at Simons Park next to the main library branch on Washington Street. The effort is designed to show the beauty of ditching plain old lawn for a variety of native species in a habitat more friendly to at-risk critters, including bees and butterflies.

NRC Director Brandon Schmitt shared an update during the NRC’s Jan. 5 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording about 12 minutes in) and acknowledged being both excited and concerned about what he described as “a very robust plan” that will include a meadow, bee nesting strip, flowering grassland, and more. It sounds as though the ambitious project will be done in phases, with trees and “woodies” planted early in the process.

NRC Commissioner Michael D’Ortenzio said he’s excited about the project, which he described as a “see to believe” kind of concept that could win over people across town.

Among those likely to be most excited about the project are rabbits, who were all over the pollinator garden planted near the police station, said NRC Commissioner Laura Robert. So steps will be taken to ensure the bunnies don’t mess things up at Simons Park.

About 10,000 sq. ft. of the open space will be used for the project, leaving plenty of traditional grass for other uses.

Conservation Land Trust updates: Pickle Point work, leading guided walks, board openings

 

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust seeks volunteers to help carve out a new entrance trail to Pickle Point Sanctuary from the Crosstown Trail on Morses Pond.  Some of the work will be heavy labor, and includes raking, brush removal, bench cutting, digging, and hauling. Weather permitting, the work is planned for Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 26-28, from 8am to 12pm each day. All tools will be provided, but bring appropriate work gloves.

2008wellspicklepointnov22_opt

The Land Trust is also launching a 4-session training program for Leading Guided Nature Walks. No prior experience or skills required—just an enthusiasm for nature and helping to share it with others. Upon completion, participants will be expected to volunteer to lead at least 2 future guided walks on Land Trust sites. Training will take place in Wellesley open space over the winter and spring.  Additional training programs (Invasive Removal training and How to Monitor Conservation Properties) are in development for 2023. Fill out this form if interested.

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust has 2 openings on its 11-seat board. Members must attend monthly evening meetings (the second Tuesday of each month except July & August), volunteer on various committees, and perform activities between meetings. In you’re interested in joining the board or have questions, please email info@wellesleyconservationlandtrust.org.

Deland, Gibson, Wellesley
Rick Cram, leader

Wellesley town-wide office candidates for 2023 election

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Candidates seeking town-wide office in Wellesley had until Jan. 17  to collect 50 signatures in support of their candidacy and turn in their nomination papers to the Town Clerk. Below is the list of those willing to contribute their time and talents to the town’s local government.

A few things to note… the order  in the table below is based on when candidates pulled nomination papers. The ballot order will be determined by a random drawing on Feb. 1. And yes, there will be no candidates on the ballot for Recreation Commission.

Wellesley election candidates 2023

 

Voters will have a handful of contested races to mull, including Select Board, School Committee, and Natural Resources Commission.

Forgot to turn in your nomination papers but still want to run for town-wide office? A pathway is still open. Residents interested in being write-in candidates are encouraged to declare their intent with the Town Clerk prior to the March 7, 2023 election.

Wellesley Public Works news: A PFAS warning; Weston Road construction on tap for summer; Wood recycling hot, pricey; Town Meeting article preview

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The amount of activities handled by the Wellesley Department of Public Works can make your head spin. Even though Mother Nature has taken it easy so far this winter on the DPW, the department has a ton going on, as summarized at the Jan. 10 Board of Public Works meeting (see Wellesley Media recording).

A PFAS warning

To date, Wellesley’s primary problem with unwelcome PFAS chemicals in its drinking water has been at its Morses Pond wells, and that’s been getting treated since the summer. However, DPW Director David Cohen gave a heads up that his team is seeing “discouraging” PFAS numbers at the Longfellow/Rosemary wells, and as of Jan. 10 was bracing for December numbers that could put the town in violation of state thresholds. That would mean the town would need to go through a public notification and education process as it did when its Morses Pond numbers were too high for 3 straight months.

Wellesley gets about 150,000 gallons of water a day out of Rosemary/Longfellow,  whereas it gets about 800,000 gallons a day at Morses Pond, where PFAS treatment is in effect. But the town has also been planning upgrades to the Rosemary/Longfellow site so that it could produce more like 600,000 gallons a day there.

Cohen recommended against going ahead with a $659K well replacement contract for now in light of the PFAS numbers and unclarity on the regulations front. It initially seemed like the replacement would pay for itself within a few years, but the possibility of temporary or permanent PFAS treatment has caused the town to rethink things. One possibility would be putting a contract out to bid for the Rosemary well, but not the Longfellow one, where higher PFAS numbers have surfaced.

The town continues its research into possible sources of PFAS in its water, and while the Morses Pond data is looking inconclusive, there is some indication that Wellesley might be dealing with more of a surface water than ground water situation at Rosemary, which is near Rte. 9.

The town is also continuing talks with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on building a second connection to it to allow for possibly more use of its water supply. The town relied heavily on MWRA water when the Morses Pond treatment system was down. Wellesley would prefer to rely on its own supply, giving it more control, but the emergence of PFAS has forced the town to consider different options.

This is all happening against a backdrop in which it’s unknown what sort of actions the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency might take regarding PFAS.

Weston Road construction on tap for summer

The next high profile roadway fix-up in town is set to be Weston Road, the high traffic path between Weston and Wellesley Square, with Rte. 9 in between. Weston Road was called Blossom Street back in the day, before being accepted by the town around 1950. The road has taken an expected beating given its heavy use, and the sidewalks overall are in rough condition (fortunately, beneath the road, pipes are generally in good shape). Weston Road was last given a full paving in 1986.

The DPW is already working on the design (funds were set aside for a survey, design and bidding in its FY22 capital plan) for this 3,800-foot-long road, and Wellesley plans to go out for bid on the project this spring. It will look to Town Meeting for funds—construction is estimated to cost $3.5M.

Town Engineer Dave Hickey shared a presentation with the Board of Public Works. Neighbors can expect to hear from the town on this as well, as Wellesley looks to get the project out to bid in the February-March timeframe.

The project has its fair share of challenges, including trees along the sidewalks and narrow rights of way (this, Hickey said, will make adding bike lanes difficult). The big challenge, though, might be that there is no easy way to route detours around this major north-south route that is mostly residential. Roughly 10,000 vehicles head up or down Weston Road each day. “I don’t see a way right now to get this work done without having a significant amount of it be done at night, which we hate to do in residential neighborhoods,” he said.

The hope would be to start construction in June and finish within the season.

Wood recycling hot, pricey

The Wellesley Recycling & Disposal Facility has seen about a 20% increase (vs. its budget) in wood tonnage for recycling. That’s great, as the wood is being kept out of landfills. The troubling thing is that the cost to recycle it is up 70% vs. what was budgeted. It’s unclear at this point if there’s an increase in any particular sort of wood products being brought to the RDF.

wood

New Water & Sewer superintendent

Steve Olson was introduced as the town’s new water & sewer superintendent, succeeding longtime town employee Bill Shaughnessy, who recently retired.

Going electric

The DPW recently took delivery of its first all-electric vehicle, a 2023 Chevy Bolt partially funded with a $7,500  grant from a state grant program.

The Bolt, boasting a range of 247 miles when fully charged, will largely be used for project oversight and inspections in town.

The DPW is prepping for delivery of another 7 electric vehicles that will replace gas-powered ones.

Four charging stations have been installed at DPW headquarters.

bolt dpw
DPW’s Bolt (Town of Wellesley photo)

Town Meeting articles

DPW leaders will present their FY24 budget proposal and Annual Town Meeting warrant articles (including 1 regarding a stormwater enterprise fund) before the Advisory Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The meeting begins at 6:30 and can be viewed on cable TV and online via Wellesley Media.