Care about the Climate? Turn your lights OFF for one hour at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday March 25.
Earth Hour
Care about the Climate? Turn your lights OFF for one hour at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday March 25.
October in review, Wellesley
It was a month of comings and goings in town, with four establishments opening and three closing their doors either temporarily or forever, as well as some change in personnel at town hall and the high school sports side of things.
The closing that caused the biggest stir in town was White Mountain Creamery, a much-loved local institution since 1985. First, there were rumblings of financial trouble, with disgruntled teens wondering when they would get their overdue paychecks. Next, a sign went up on the door saying that a family emergency was keeping the store closed. The next sign claimed that renovations were to blame. Finally, the last sign went up saying, “White Mountain Out of Business.”
Nearby at 1 Cameron St., a new 3D printing services business called Toys in Box opened up. Walk in the door and into a shop that displays brightly colored toys and other items such as mugs, jewelry, and sphere-shaped decorations hanging from the ceiling. Visitors can come in with their own designs for toys or other items, but know that it can take hours for the 3D printers to completely chug out the creations.
Bocado, a Spanish tapas restaurant, opened up at 45 Church St. to an enthusiastic reception of diners eager to try out such fare as raw tuna with lemon basil crema, mozzarella stuffed crispy rice balls, bacon-wrapped scallops, paella, and sangria.
Meanwhile, over on Route 9 westbound, Dunkin Donuts temporarily closed down the drastic way. The busy spot was torn down as part of a complete re-do and is expected to reopen in 10 – 12 weeks.
On the retail side of things, Eldred Wheeler furniture, a store that specializes in colonial American furniture created by hand using the traditions of 18th century craftsmen, has opened in Linden Square in the former Crossing Main space. Crossing Main, which moved over to Linden Square from Church St. a couple of years ago and has had a presence in Wellesley for over 16 years, somehow slinked out of town without our even noticing.
As far as town news goes, two new basketball courts near the Wellesley High School track/football field opened. The courts, which had been replaced by a parking lot during the building of the new high school, are now back and better than ever thanks to the work of recreation, Natural Resources Commission, the town engineer and other town officials.
In additional basketball news, Wellesley High School announced that Glen Magpiong, the boys varsity coach since 2010, would be switching over to coach the girls team. Coach Magpiong, whose daughter played hoop for WHS for four years, is no stranger to coaching girls’ basketball and looks forward to motivating the players and providing stability to the program.
Over at town hall, a new Natural Resources Commission Director, Brandon Schmitt, has been hired. He’s in charge of stewardship of the town’s park, conservation, recreation, and open space system.
There’s one place in town that, for a little while anyway, didn’t see much coming and going: the police station. For one glorious week in Wellesley, (10/13 – 10/19) there were no arrests in town.
Wellesley Natural Resources Commission seeks director
The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission, which is reorganizing as the Fuller Brook Park project moves into its next phase, has posted a full-time job opening for a new director.
Effective July 1, current director Janet Hartke Bowser is assuming the position of NRC Director of Special Projects. Her responsibilities will include providing support to the NRC’s capital projects, such as the Fuller Brook Preservation Project and the Morses Pond Comprehensive Management Plan. Bowser has served as NRC Director for over 16 years and has been in the field for more than 31 years.
Here’s the job posting:
Director of Natural Resources recommends and administers the Town’s natural resources agenda under the policies established by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC). Reporting to the NRC, the Director is responsible for the daily operations of the Commission, including coordination with the Department of Public Works and other Town departments, committees and outside agencies to ensure the effective execution of the Commission’s policies and objectives. The Director manages the day-to-day operations of the Natural Resources Department; directly supervises the Department’s personnel; and responds to inquiries. The work requires knowledge of federal, state and local environmental and procedural statutes, regulations and bylaws; superior interpersonal, managerial and communication skills; collaboration with other Town departments in the planning and implementation of NRC projects; and attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events as needed.
Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree in environmental administration, environmental law, physical or biological science, landscape architecture or a related field; five to seven years of direct experience in the environmental and/or municipal field or equivalent administrative and scientific education and experience; proven leadership, budgetary competence, and excellent long-range planning and human relations skills; managerial and supervisory experience; and knowledge of the applicable state and federal laws.
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to the Human Resources Department, 525 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 or e-mail as a Word document or PDF to hr@wellesleyma.gov by May 27, 2014. EOE/AA
Check out Wellesley vernal pool
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION’S VERNAL POOL ADVENTURE MAY 10TH, 10 AM – NOON
AT THE WELLESLEY POLICE STATION
The NRC invites children and their care givers to a free vernal pool adventure. Please come rain or shine for this indoor and outdoor program designed to introduce students to easily accessible wildlife habitats and encourage them to become stewards of Wellesley’s vernal pools, which are centers of springtime activity and the breeding sites for several species of woodland amphibians. They will also have an opportunity to look for the eggs of salamanders and frogs and invertebrate species that take advantage of these temporary ponds.
The program will start indoors at the Wellesley Police Station with a slideshow about vernal pools and the creatures who live in them. We will then move outdoors and explore a nearby vernal pool to see for ourselves how it functions, and gather evidence needed for State vernal pool certification.
Participants should wear boots or waterproof shoes and dress for weather conditions and wet ground. Insect repellent, long pants, and long sleeves are recommended.
