Wellesley holds its Annual Town Meeting in early spring, and though it’s (usually) still cold outside, the people in the Middle School auditorium usually get heated over a few of the issues on the meeting’s warrant. This year, a major issue will be whether Town Meeting votes to centralize the maintenance of its facilities. Currently, the school buildings and town buildings were repaired via separate budgets and separate departments. If Town Meeting approves this measure – article No. 6 – all of the town’s buildings will be repaired under the same department. Will this get people talking? …
Earlier this year, members of the Ad Hoc Facilities Maintenance Committee made some recommendations on how they will centralize facilities maintenance in Wellesley if Town Meeting approves March 26. Currently, the town is responsible for maintaining town buildings and the school administration is responsible for maintaining school buildings – Department of Public Works and Municipal Light Plant buildings are not included in the current or proposed plan just yet. Centralizing facilities maintenance has been discussed in some form for the past three years. It looks like Wellesley could finally …
Wellesley Square appears to be on the up and up lately. Shops have moved in to vacant spaces, and art lines the windows of places where there is still a vacancy. Though, it’s still an uphill climb for the downtown area. We pose this question often at Wellesley Patch, and have received many comments. Here are a few: MJ: PS Wellesley Square has FAR more charm than Linden Street. It doesn't look old! It looks New England! If it were easier to shop W.S., I'd be there always. Ivy: Parking is a major problem. The economy is down. Linden Square is competition. However, I love Wellesley Square. Sad …
The town-based Wellesley Square Initiative is bent on saving the Wellesley Square business district. The district has been waning in popularity over the course of at least the last year both by business owners and consumers alike. With nearby Linden Square improving itself with new signs, trees and lots more parking, people say Wellesley Square feels old and difficult to manage in comparison. But there’s history in Wellesley Square, history worth saving, according to the Board of Selectmen last August. Also, several members of the community have come together to revitalize the storefronts of …
Last night, the school committee voted to waive the debt for eight families who owed a total of $4,905.70 in school lunch back pay. According to Boston.com, the vote was 4-1 in favor of the move to forgive the debt. KC Kato was the lone holdout. Boston.com reported she wanted more information in order to justify the decision. Nonetheless, the decision came to pass, and the town is still owed $24,976.95. The debt situation is due to a glitch in the accounting software last year which lead to faulty billing practices. In some cases, bills for school lunch, which operated on a credit system, …
The National Weather Service has been predicting anywhere from 2 to 10 inches of snow to fall in Massachusetts tonight and tomorrow. By about 4:15 p.m. today, snow has fallen but none of it has stuck to the ground. Currently, NWS has issued a “Winter Weather Advisory,” for Wellesley, which maintains there will be at least between 4 and 6 inches of snow when all is said and done. But you’re a New Englander and you know a snowstorm when you see it. What’s your feeling on this one? Do you think we’ll get some serious snow over the course of the next 24 hours, or is this going to be another in …
First Republic Bank is moving into a building at 284 Washington St., as indicated by fresh signs in the windows and some movement today. The building used to be home to a Blockbuster Video location, which closed last December. Often, readers will comment either on Wellesley Patch or on its Facebook Page, that along with restaurants, there are too many banks in Wellesley. First Republic will join Needham Bank, Wellesley Bank, TD Bank and many others on a long list of established banks in Wellesley. With the addition of one more: Are there now too many banks in Wellesley?
The new high school is ready to open Feb. 28. But along with its opening comes the sad fact that the old school building, after 74 years, has to be taken down. There’s still time to see it, however, and there will always be time to remember it. So Wellesley Patch asks: What will you miss most about the Old Wellesley High School building? Tell us in the comments.
Last August, the Board of Selectmen told a group of developers they could not open “Justine’s,” a restaurant at a building at 978 Worcester St., a high traffic section of Route 9 East near the Natick line. Their reasons for the denial of a necessary common victualler’s license were based on a view that the available parking at the tight plot was unsuitable for the proposed 135-seat restaurant. However, on Monday, the board approved a license for a different group attempting to open an 85-seat restaurant at the same location. This group made ample adjustments for parking and have no interest …
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and for the Question Of The Day, we want to know the most romantic restaurant in Wellesley. Might be the atmosphere, might be the food or the locale. The Cottage, Blue Ginger, Cafe Mangal and Alta Strada are good choices, but if you're into more low key dining, how about Old School Pizza, Maugus or even Papa Razzi? If you're stuck, here's a list of restaurants posted on The Swellesley Report You tell us. Where is the most best place in Wellesley to take your valentine for a romantic dinner?
Wellesley is a heavily wooded town, and from time to time, it can fall prey to wild animal attacks. Coyotes have made their presences felt recently. According to Wellesley animal control, a dog fell victim to a recent attack. While the attacks are relatively scarce, they can happen. Do you fear coming into contact with a coyote or are the odds just too slim? Have you taken any preventative measures? If so, share them here.
