The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley mother being charged with two counts of murder after children found dead in home

by

Wellesley police signA Wellesley woman is being held in Vermont and charged with two counts of murder of her children, ages 6 and 7, who were found dead in their Wellesley home on Edgemoor Avenue. The suspect, Janette MacAusland, had been in a custody dispute with her husband, according to court records.

Update (4/27/26): Wellesley woman accused of killing her children to be returned to Mass.; Charges indicate offenses took place 2 days before bodies found

According to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police have obtained an arrest warrant for Janette MacAusland, 49, of Wellesley. She is being held in Vermont and is slated to appear on Monday, April 27, in Bennington County Superior Court on a fugitive from justice charge.

The Massachusetts State Police and Wellesley Police Department are working with the Vermont State Police to have the defendant transported to Massachusetts to answer to the murder charges. According to the Bennington Police Department, they were contacted on Friday, April 24 at about 9:15 p.m. and “requested to conduct a welfare check after a woman identified as MacAusland arrived at a family residence in Bennington appearing highly distraught. It was reported that she had a visible neck injury and was bleeding.

According to the police department, “officers attempted to engage her in conversation and, during the interaction, became increasingly concerned for the welfare of her children. As a result, officers requested that the Wellesley Police Department respond to MacAusland’s residence in Wellesley, Massachusetts, to conduct a check on the children.” The Bennington Police Department was assisted by the Bennington Rescue Squad, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, and United Counseling Service.

When Wellesley Police conducted the check at the MacAuslands’ Edgemoor Avenue home, they found the children deceased inside the residence (The Bennington Banner/Vermont News First first reported that the Bennington Police Department had arrested MacAusland and housed her at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland, Vt.)

Edgemoor Avenue is located north of Rte. 9, near the Natick line. “Crime scene” tape was stretched around the home on Edgemoor on Saturday.

Janette MacAusland, an acupuncturist, and her husband, Samuel MacAusland, have been going through divorce proceedings that began when he filed in October, according to Norfolk County probate court records. A joint motion was made earlier this month to continue/reschedule pre-trial conference until early May, as the parents were disputing custody of the children.

The victims—Kai (7) and Ella (6)—were students in the Wellesley Public Schools system, which shared a statement by Superintendent David Lussier:

“We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of two of our WPS students, a second-grader and kindergartener at Schofield Elementary School. This is an unimaginable loss that will be deeply felt not just at Schofield but across our entire community. Our crisis team is planning support for students, staff, and families as we prepare for the reopening of school on Monday. I ask that we all keep this family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The second grader had attended Hardy Elementary School before Schofield; both children had attended P.A.W.S. pre-school in Wellesley.

Other organizations in town, including the Wellesley Educators Association and Wellesley Mothers Forum, have also issued statements to encourage those in the community who need support to reach out.

Story updated with information from Bennington Police Department on 4/26/26.

image_print
     

Advertisements

black & blue, Wellesley
Olive Tree Medical, Wellesley
taste of wellesley gif

Business Buzz—the Business Liaison is baaaack—and so is Wellesley in Bloom

by Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass. business news: 

Wellesley Select Board reinstates Business Liaison role

Wellesley Town Hall
Wellesley Town Hall in bloom

In a move aimed at revitalizing communication between local government and the private sector, the Wellesley Select Board officially reinstated the Business Liaison position this month.

The role, which had been phased out in January 2023, traditionally served as a bridge between a Select Board member and the Wellesley business community to act as a primary point of contact for Town Hall staff.

Chair Marjorie Freiman announced the reinstatement during the April 14 Select Board meeting, confirming that Beth Sullivan Woods has been appointed to the role. Sullivan Woods is no stranger to the responsibilities, having previously served as the liaison before the position was discontinued three years ago.

As the designated “conduit of information,” Sullivan Woods’ primary focus will be ensuring that the needs and concerns of the business community are heard by town government. She will provide regular updates to both the Select Board and Corey Testa, the Town’s Assistant Executive Director. 

Wellesley In Bloom starts Saturday, May 2

Wellesley In BloomStarting May 2, Wellesley comes alive with Wellesley in Bloom, a town-wide celebration of spring featuring floral fun, pop-up experiences, and creative collaborations throughout Wellesley’s shopping areas.

Now in its second year, Wellesley in Bloom invites you to stroll through town and discover unexpected moments of beauty, creativity, and local charm.

From floral displays and art installations to more than 50 pop-up experiences and seasonal surprises, businesses and community organizations across Wellesley will bring the spirit of spring to life. Don’t miss the Mahjong & Canasta Social pop up on May 2, at black & blue Steak and Crab, 65 Central St. Mahjong: 10:30am–12:30pm & Canasta: 1:30pm 3:30pm.

About Wellesley in Bloom

Funded by a state grant, the purpose of Wellesley in Bloom is to hold an event that creates a positive community experience and fosters business collaborations.

Do you keep learning new things by reading Swellesley? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our work.

image_print
Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, 2026
Planning

Wellesley Lower Falls area to get a study of its own

by Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Planning Board earlier this month discussed commissioning a visioning study of the Lower Falls Village area, which is ripe for redevelopment in light of large properties changing hands already or expected to before long (see Wellesley Media recording of the April 13 Planning Board meeting, about 10 minutes in). It’s also a challenging area in that it is nearby major highways and plagued by traffic.

This study would be separate, but related to, recent studies like the Strategic Housing Plan and future ones, like a new Comprehensive Plan. A draft request for proposals (RFP) is in the works, and served as a jumping off point for the April 13 discussion (the study could cost up to $50k). A study of this area was conducted in the 1990s.

Brad Downey, interim planning director, said in a follow-up email exchange that “The genesis of this particular study is the result of a few factors: increased activity and involvement from neighbors on future development in the Lower Falls area following the two RIOs proposed at Fall 2024 Town Meeting, as well as the pending sale of many of the Haynes Management properties in that area, which are to be sold to another property owner, likely for redevelopment. The increased neighborhood interest as well as increased likelihood of future development were the two key factors the Planning Board had in mind when considering this study.”

It remains to be seen how soon the RFP will be finalized and issued. Asked about a timeline for issuing the RFP, Downey said at the meeting that “I don’t think there is a particular rush.”)

It can be challenging to keep track of what’s coming up at Wellesley town government meetings. We try to help by posting an agenda preview each week that highlights items we think might be of interest, as we did with this study (See: “Wellesley town government meetings for week of April 13, 2026: Town Meeting debriefs; Lower Falls Area Study Discussion”). Sign up for our free weekday email newsletter to stay plugged in.

The funding for this project comes from the Planning Department operating budget, which typically includes $50,000 each year for retaining professional services, such as planning consulting services to conduct studies.

Toward the beginning of the Planning Board’s discussion, member Jim Roberti shared a map of the Lower Falls area (to be defined as part of the RFP process) to illustrate the hodgepodge of zoning districts within this part of town. There’s business, industrial, Lower Falls Village, Residential Incentive Overlay (RIO), and other zoning in the area covering Walnut, River, and Washington Streets.

Lower falls zoning
Lower Falls zoning map

 
This section of Wellesley has been at the epicenter of discussions at Town Meeting and beyond in recent years about RIOs due to proposed multi-family housing projects that many neighbors opposed for density, traffic, and other reasons. Also, arguments were made that efforts to eliminate RIOs from some parts of town might unfairly burden other parts, namely Lower Falls (Annual Town Meeting recently voted to eliminate RIOs from all districts, not including the four previously approved RIO projects).

In discussing the proposed Lower Falls study, Roberti said “I guess the question’s going to come: Why are we doing this? Are we doing it to restrict this area so less things can be developed? Or are we doing it to regulate what’s going to be built or are we going to encourage more to be built?” Roberti said he’d also been asked about whether Planning envisions doing traffic studies, and he wondered about whether funding would even be available for that.

Board member Ed Chazen asked how this study might fit with a broader Comprehensive Plan the town plans to undertake (it failed to get funding at Annual Town Meeting, but proponents will be back with another request). The Comprehensive Plan would succeed the dated Unified Plan, a long-range vision for future land use, development, and growth across town. The Planning Board’s Tom Taylor said he’d see the Lower Falls plan as being more detailed, getting into issues like traffic flow and parking (maybe turning parking lanes into traffic lanes during certain hours, like in Wellesley Hills, or decking the municipal parking lot on River Street).

“The elephant in the room is the Haynes property that sits right through the middle of this,” Taylor said. “We can have all sorts of great ideas and they can just say forget it, I’m going to build by right…”

Chazen urged that the town get into conversations with the big property owners in the area sooner than later to help ensure that this gateway into town is developed thoughtfully. While many properties are owned by Haynes, or have been sold by Haynes to others, there are also other established property owners in the area (such as at 1 Washington St. along the Charles River) that would need to be looped in.

Roberti pointed out that this a “commercial/business/industrial area that butts right up to a residential area…and I think one of the problems with the RIO is that there wasn’t enough buffer between the improved or changed use and the current residential.”

The board talked as well about needing to get neighborhood input in advance of issuing the RFP and/or as part of the study.

This study would roll out even as new developments proceed in Lower Falls, including a multi-family housing complex at 49 Walnut St., and a First Citizens Bank branch at 26 Washington St. where Taylor Rental used to be.

image_print

Advertisements

Longfellow, Wellesley
Wellesley Wonderful Weekend
Haskins Automotive, Wellesley

Volunteers needed for Dressing of the Graves in Wellesley

by Leave a Comment

The Veterans Services department is seeking volunteers to help place American flags on Veteran graves in Wellesley in preparation for Memorial Day.

The annual Dressing of the Graves event recognizes the bravery and sacrifice of departed individuals who served our country.

Dressing of the Graves will take place Thursday, May 7, 3pm, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 148 Brook Street. Volunteers should meet at the flag pole. Supplies are provided by the West Suburban Veterans District. No registration required.

Dressing of the Graves, Wellesley
Friends of Wellesley Veterans Board Member Chris Cavallerano instructs members of the Wellesley Lacrosse Team prior to placing flags on all veterans’ graves at Woodlawn Cemetery. Photo by Friends of Wellesley Veterans.
image_print
Wellesley Kitchen and Home Tour
Hunnewell Fun Fair 2026

New Wellesley housing development proposed: 8 townhomes just off Linden Street near train station

by 20 Comments

10 Railroad Street housing
10 Railroad St. townhouse rendering by MGD+ (shown from Linden Street and from above)

Plans for eight attached townhomes, including two affordable units, are being aired before the Wellesley Design Review Board later this month for 10 Railroad St.

The three-story development, if approved, would rise at the current parking lot off of Linden Street alongside the railroad tracks near the Wellesley Square train station. This is located behind the Takara restaurant and Goddard School, and just east of the 35-unit Terrazza condo complex across the street.

The 10 Railroad St. property, along with the 151-159 Linden Street commercial property, was sold for $9m by B. Cullen Realty to Dinosaur Linden LLC last summer.

The development at 10 Railroad St. would be the second proposed housing plan in town under the MBTA Communities Law, which Wellesley complied with in 2024 and allows by right development to encourage new housing near public transportation. The first such project proposed is on Laurel Avenue across from the Wellesley Hills train station.

Wellesley is seeing an influx of multi-tenant and other housing developments, both spurred by state actions like the MBTA Communities Law and Affordable Homes Act, and as a result of oodles of office properties changing hands or going on the market. The town also commissioned a strategic housing plan designed to help it strategize for more diverse housing.

The 10 Railroad St. project, to feature varied brick veneer facing Railroad St., is located within the Industrial A Zoning District and the MBTA Overlay District. The applicant intends to file for Site Plan Review, which would meaning going through the Zoning Board of Appeals (it does not need to go through the Planning Board as part of the MBTA Communities process).

According to the applicant, each three-bedroom unit will have its own outdoor space surrounded by an 6-foot fence, to create separation from the railroad tracks. Units will have their own garages in the basement (room for two vehicles in market rate units, one vehicle in affordable ones). The development will be fully electric, and include support for possible solar panels. Units boast about 3,800 sq. ft. of space; the affordable units lack a third floor deck found in the other units.

Pricing has not been revealed.

Do you keep learning new things by reading Swellesley? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our work.

image_print
Rotary Club, Taste of Wellesley

Geology Walk: adventure through time at Hemlock Gorge with Wellesley Conservation Land Trust

by Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s own rock star, Chris Crowley will unearth the past during a geological expedition through Hemlock Gorge on Saturday, April 25, at 10am. Meet at the Echo Bridge trail head across from 27 Hamilton Place, Needham. There is a small parking lot at the trailhead.

Wellesley Conservation Land Trust
Chris Crowley, WCLT geology enthusiast

Sure, Hemlock Gorge as a scenic spot for a weekend stroll, but did you know that just below the trail’s surface lies the remnants of a  fascinating prehistoric past? Chris will peel back the layers of deep time, examining bedrock formations and the visible scars left by ancient glacial movements.

“If you have never been to the gorge, it is a gem,” Chris says. “There are terrific exposures of Roxbury Puddingstone and dramatic views of the Charles River and several dams.”

Registration is required. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water.

image_print
Legal Notice

Town of Wellesley: 2026 Special Town Meeting

by Leave a Comment

The Select Board will convene a Special Town Meeting on Monday, May 11, at 7:00 P.M at the Wellesley High School Auditorium, 50 Rice Street. The Warrant for the Special Town Meeting will close at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Any person desiring to have an article included in the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting shall submit a petition signed by not less than one hundred (100) registered voters of the Town. Any such petition shall be submitted to the Town Clerk for signature verification.

After being signed by the Select Board, the full text of the Special Town Meeting Warrant will be available from the Select Board Office located at 525 Washington Street and will be posted at the Town Clerk’s Office at 525 Washington Street, Police Station at 485 Washington Street and on the Town’s website (www.wellesleyma.gov).

Motions to be offered to the Special Town Meeting must be submitted digitally to the Select Board Office at sel@wellesleyma.gov by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

WELLESLEY SELECT BOARD

image_print

Wellesley Select Board approves Special Town Meeting article language on MassBay land plans

by 12 Comments

The Wellesley Select Board on Tuesday approved language for a Special Town Meeting article regarding the state’s proposed sale of land at MassBay Community College to support the creation of 180 housing units and partially fund future upgrades on the MassBay campus (see Wellesley Media recording).

The board is set to make a presentation about the article at the Advisory Committee on Wednesday, April 2s at 6:30pm, and then reconvene for a Select Board meeting on Thursday, April 23 at 6:30pm to discuss the motion language under the article.

The Select Board, on the heels of the latest communication from the state regarding the future of 45 acres of MassBay property, last week called for a Special Town Meeting on May 11 where the issue will be addressed. The state’s plans to sell MassBay property deemed “surplus”—roughly five acres of parking lot, roughly 40 acres of forest—has sparked concerns from neighbors and users of the adjacent Centennial Reservation as well as enthusiasm from those who say the state’s plans could lead to needed housing, protections for the forest, and improvements at MassBay.

The Select Board’s plan for Special Town Meeting is to put a non-binding question or questions to Wellesley’s elected legislators to gauge what course they and their constituents would like the town to take on the MassBay land matter.

Article 2 language reads as follows:

To see if the Town will vote to advise the Select Board to take the following actions:

A. Pursue an agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts wherein the Town will accept the construction of 180 units of housing on and around the parking lot at 40 Oakland Street on approximately 7 to 8 acres of land in exchange for a permanent conservation restriction for passive recreation on the remaining 37 to 38 acres of land at that location; or

B. Pursue litigation against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeking a declaration that some or all of the land located at 40 Oakland Street is not legally available for housing use, and seeking to limit, to the greatest extent feasible, the amount of housing that may be constructed on any portion of the property determined to be eligible for such use; or to take any other action in relation thereto

Town Counsel Tom Harrington presented the draft article language. The Select Board has been meeting behind closed doors for months with attorneys to explore possible litigation over the MassBay matter (the board has also provided public updates and allowed for public comment).

Select Board member Kenny Largess, one of numerous lawyers at Town Hall that night, proposed broader language, fearing that the draft language from Harrington was too narrow. He described a scenario where people who might not be inclined to vote for negotiating with the state might feel forced to do so without having a real sense of how litigation might go. Harrington assured that Town Meeting members would be able to make motions that focused on something in between the goalposts set out in the article language.

Beth Sullivan Woods favored the Largess proposal, and took exception to specifying acreage amounts in the language.

“This sets up a premise that it’s fight the definition of ‘surplus’ or agree that 180 is the right number,” she said. “I have never heard from this community that 180 units on the parking lot is acceptable to anyone…”

Board Chair Marjorie Freiman said that what she has heard from the public over the past year is that the town’s priority is protecting the forest.

“If we can get 37 or 38 acres can we live with the result?” she asked. “Well, that’s essentially the question, that’s the bottom line question. What’s your priority? What are you willing to live with? What are you willing to risk? What are you willing to give up?”

Board member Tom Ulfelder backed the language from Harrington, arguing that it “sharpens the debate.” He stated, “that stark difference between [A and B] is exactly what we want the community and Town Meeting to understand. That we don’t have fine gradations of the state’s offer realistically in front of us that we can push forward. Board member Colette Aufranc also supported the original article draft language, seeing it as “not binary, there’s a sliding scale” within the parameters.

Freiman emphasized a reason for holding Special Town Meeting on May 11 and keeping it to one night is that it will give the town a chance to hit the state’s May 13 deadline for submitting comments on the disposition and reuse of the property at 40 Oakland St. “We don’t want to lose the opportunity to respond to the state within the time that they have given us. Again, they are the state and we’re the town…”

Wellesley Conservation Land Trust retains counsel to protect MassBay forest

Separately, the non-profit Wellesley Conservation Land Trust (WCLT) has retained Hill Law “to represent its interests in matters relating to the MassBay Community College Forest. Among other reasons, WCLT has asked Counsel to determine whether that land is protected under Article 97, which guarantees for all the ‘right to a clean environment including its natural, scenic, historical, and aesthetic qualities for the citizens of the Commonwealth.'”

According to the group, “At this time, WCLT is focused on evaluating the situation and supporting efforts aligned with its mission. The organization remains committed to working constructively with stakeholders and will provide updates as appropriate.”

image_print