Executive Summary
At its September 23, 2026 meeting, the Wellesley Select Board approved the consent agenda, authorized an access license for the Cochituate Aqueduct to support the MBTA Communities residential project at 16 Laurel Avenue in exchange for in-kind utility and pathway improvements, and approved motion language for Special Town Meeting Articles 2, 4, and 6. The Board also reviewed and approved amended minutes from July 22 and August 17, 2026 following detailed discussions regarding meeting characterizations and verbatim accuracy, and voted to enter executive session to address collective bargaining and litigation matters.
Executive Director Update and Board Announcements
- Executive Director Meghan Jop reminded residents to register online for the October 1st North 40 charrette, which was relocated from the Hunnewell School to Wellesley High School.
- Select Board Member Beth Sullivan Woods announced the upcoming Discover Wellesley merchant event scheduled for the following weekend, noting that parking fees would be waived on Friday and Saturday.
Consent Agenda
- The Board considered a consent agenda containing five items:
- Reappointment of a member to the Wellesley Cultural Council.
- Authorization to purchase seasonal wreaths for downtown commercial areas.
- Approval of two one-day alcohol licenses for the Wellesley Historical Society for fall events.
- Approval of the warrant for the state election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Designation of Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Director Brandon Schmitt as the local government representative for clean energy siting and permitting.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Cochituate Aqueduct Access License for 16 Laurel Avenue
- The Board reviewed a license agreement allowing Babson House LLC and Pioneer Construction temporary access to a portion of the town-owned Cochituate Aqueduct to construct a residential conversion and addition under the MBTA Communities Act.
- Attorney David Himmelberger and developer Jeff Birnbaum presented details of the access agreement:
- The building structure sits inches from the town boundary line; footings and foundation as-built plans will be submitted to confirm no underground encroachment occurs on town property.
- Public pedestrian access between Laurel Avenue and Prescott Street will remain open over lawn areas during the estimated 18-month construction period until a permanent meandering sidewalk is constructed on town land.
- An unpermitted flagpole and light fixture encroaching on the aqueduct will be removed, and a historical monument commemorating Babson Reports will be relocated onto town property.
- In lieu of monetary compensation, the applicant is providing in-kind value by constructing a relocated public sidewalk and installing an essential water loop connecting Laurel Avenue to the dead-end water main on Prescott Street using town-supplied materials.
- The licensee is required to provide construction fencing, town indemnification, and name the Town as an additional insured on its policy.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Special Town Meeting Preparation
- The Board discussed motion assignments and deferred consideration of Article 5 (pending final financial materials) and Article 7 (pending the Bylaw Review Committee meeting).
- Article 2 (Consent Agenda) is proposed to include:
- Article 4, Motion 1 (Transfer Parking Clerk Funds from Treasurer to Police)
- Article 6, Motion 1 (Rescind Debt Authorizations)
- The inclusions remain subject to concurrence from the Town Moderator and a unanimous recommendation from the Advisory Committee.
- Select Board members were designated to present specific articles if pulled from consent: Marjorie Freiman (Article 2), Beth Sullivan Woods (Article 4), Colette Aufranc (Article 5), Tom Ulfelder (Article 6), and Kenneth Largess (Article 7).
- The Board voted to approve the motion language for Article 2 Motion 1, Article 4 Motion 1, and Article 6 Motion 1.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Administrative Matters: Approval of Minutes
- The Board reviewed draft minutes from the July 22, 2026 and August 17, 2026 meetings.
- Revisions to the July 22, 2026 minutes included:
- Striking an edit regarding website centralization to restore original discussion context.
- Updating references to Executive Director Jop.
- Clarifying that war memorial repairs address "failing masonry."
- Clarifying discussion of Wights Pond.
- Correcting the call to order to reflect the meeting was "not televised" rather than "not recorded."
- Revisions to the August 17, 2026 minutes concerned discussions regarding weights and measures inspection outsourcing to Norfolk County:
- A motion to remove a phrase regarding Massachusetts General Law deviations failed 2-2 (Tom Ulfelder: Yes; Colette Aufranc: Yes; Kenneth Largess: No; Beth Sullivan Woods: No).
- An amended compromise motion was introduced to state that Ms. Sullivan Woods requested a legal opinion from Town Counsel confirming the arrangement is permissible because she believed it to be a technical deviation from the statutory language.
- Vote on Amendment: Passed 5-0.
- Vote to approve the minutes of July 22, 2026 and August 17, 2026, as amended: Passed 5-0.
Executive Session
- The Board voted to enter executive session at 4:37 p.m. pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to:
- Collective bargaining negotiations with the Wellesley Police Patrol Officers Association, Wellesley Superior Officers Association, Wellesley Firefighters IAFF Local 1795, Wellesley Library Staff Association, and Wellesley Library Supervisor Association.
- Litigation with the Commonwealth regarding 40 Oakland Street.
- Invited participants included Executive Director Meghan Jop, Assistant Executive Director Corey Testa, HR Director Dolores Hamilton, Town Counsel Tom Harrington, Special Counsel Nicholas Shapiro, Alan Cloutier (Tighe & Bond), Police Chief Scott Whittemore, Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli, Library Director Jamie Jurgensen, and Board of Library Trustees Chair Marla Robinson.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.