Every person who lives in Massachusetts can be proud that our state has gone from having one of the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States to one of the lowest. It took lots of sacrifice and time and commitment to ourselves and our neighbors to get where we are today.
This great accomplishment is the reason we can now slowly open up our local economy again. No matter where we stand politically, we have accomplished something significant together here in Massachusetts that very few states can match.
Sadly, however, I have noticed that many of us have begun to take to the sidewalks and paths of Wellesley without masks and without social distancing. We are all feeling fatigued by the rules and restrictions on our freedoms but it is clear from what is happening in Texas, Florida and other states that when we disregard the rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we only hurt ourselves and delay re-openings or even worse, cause a surge and re-closings.
That is why I am reaching out to you, my neighbors, friends, and parents of the same to wear a mask and ensure there is 6’ between you and those you see running, walking, or biking outside. When we breathe heavily within a foot or two of others, we are telling them we don’t care what happens to them or whether there is another surge or lockdown.
I agree we all have the right to do what we want, and we all want to enjoy everything life has to offer. And, it isn’t always fun to follow the rules. But this is no hoax. During World War II, Americans didn’t get tired of fighting until the end. Even though they paid dearly in human lives, their determination outweighed the price. Let’s all step up and do the right thing like they did. It’s not that hard, it’s the right thing to do, and it will get us out of this mess faster. Please, from one neighbor to another, let’s follow the rules in 2020. It won’t be for forever if we do. See you on the trails.
Susan Glynn
Wellesley Resident
Gas leaks stand-out
8/1/19
Sustainable Wellesley members gathered in front of the Wellesley Community Center holding signs, and wearing safety vests and tape measures of the sort used by utility crews, to draw attention to what they described as National Grid’s lack of action on gas leaks. The community center is located near a major leak that has been known to the gas company since 2015, according to Sustainable Wellesley. Photo: Courtesy of Sustainable Wellesley
Yesterday (July 31), Sustainable Wellesley called on National Grid to fix the dozens of persistent gas leaks in Wellesley. The leaks emit vast amounts of methane, which is a dangerous and highly potent greenhouse gas that is contributing to global warming.
Sustainable Wellesley President Quentin Prideaux said, “We first started looking at gas leaks in Wellesley in 2015 when there were 197 leaks reported by National Grid — now there are 261. The leaks are actually getting worse and we need National Grid to step up to protect our climate, our safety, and our health.”
The Sustainable Wellesley action was part of a larger effort across the Boston metropolitan area led by Mothers Out Front, the Gas Leaks Allies, and other environmental groups frustrated by the lack of progress on gas leaks. In Boston, more than 100 protesters gathered on Cambridge Street near a 13-year old leak. Activists are particularly concerned that National Grid has backed away from its previous commitment to identify and repair the largest volume leaks, sometimes called “super-emitters.” These large volume leaks make up only about 7 percent of the more than 16,000 leaks in the state but they emit roughly 50 percent of the methane. The other large gas companies — Eversource and Columbia Gas — have already begun using the accepted method for identifying and repairing these leaks, while National Grid has said it will not do so until next year.
(Note: The Swellesley Report reached out to National Grid to get any reaction to the above information. Here’s what they said: “Thanks for reaching out to us on this material. At this time, we’re not going to comment on it.”)
Elizabeth Seton Residence thanks Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club
7/11/19
The Elizabeth Seton Residence, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Wellesley Hills, is delighted and honored to be a recipient of a generous $2,500 grant awarded by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club. This grant donation will be used to purchase a custom-built games table to be enjoyed by all residents but especially those who are wheelchair bound. This custom- built table enables those in wheelchairs to sit at and participate in table games comfortably with other residents who may or may not use a wheelchair. This table had been on the resident’s “wish list” for some time and they are extremely grateful for the continued support from the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club.
Lori Ferrante, Administrator, Elizabeth Seton Residence
Raina McManus Seeks Re-election to Natural Resources Commission
1/17/19
Dear Editor,
I’m excited to announce my candidacy for a second full term on the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission (NRC). The past five years have been truly gratifying and I want to continue the NRC’s work on important new initiatives for our residents, including the implementation of the Unified Plan and planning for the North 40. While serving on the Commission, I have been instrumental in hiring our current director Brandon Schmitt; improving the basketball facilities on Hunnewell Field; moving the new high school stadium and girls’ softball fields forward; upgrading equipment for Morses Pond; enacting regulations on plastic checkout bags; updating Wellesley’s organic pesticide policy on public land;
working on our conversion to LED street lights; and organizing multiple town-wide
educational forums.
I very much enjoy collaborating with town staff and other boards, an essential quality to moving projects forward. In addition to my service on the NRC, I’m a four-year Town Meeting Member, co-founder of Friends of Brookside, and have given and continue to give volunteer time to our schools. Throughout my tenure, I have worked to balance the preservation of our natural resources with improving and making them more accessible to all.
Our natural resources are just that – resources. They contribute to our quality of life and keep us healthy by protecting our water, cleaning our air, sequestering carbon, and preventing flooding. Our open spaces give every generation room to play, learn, and grow; they sustain our health, preserve wildlife habitat, enhance property values, and so much more. If re-elected I will continue to be a good steward of Wellesley’s beautiful and important resources. I ask for your vote on Tuesday March 5th so I may continue the critical work of the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission.
Raina C. McManus
Paul Criswell not running for re-election to Wellesley Board of Public Works
12/30/18
To the Editor:
I am writing to very reluctantly announce to the residents of Wellesley that I will not be running for re-election to the Board of Public Works in 2019.I have recently had health issues that compel me to cut back on some of my activities while I heal and recover. Fortunately, I have a good prognosis and I am looking forward to full restoration of my health.In the meantime, I will be looking for ways that I can contribute to the Town on a more limited basis.
I want to thank all of the residents who have offered me support, encouragement and constructive criticism over the past years.I have found that service in Town government is personally enriching and rewarding.I have made friends and have had the privilege of working with some incredibly talented people. And most importantly, the Town of Wellesley is blessed to have a reservoir of very qualified people who will step up to take the place of those of us who are stepping down.
