Select Board February 24, 2026

• Date: February 24, 2026
• Governing Body: Select Board
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Location: Giuliani Room, Town Hall
• Attendees:
  • Marjorie Freiman, Chair
  • Tom Ulfelder, Vice Chair
  • Colette Aufranc, Secretary
  • Beth Sullivan Woods, Select Board Member
  • Kenneth Largess, Select Board Member
  • Meghan Jop, Executive Director
  • Corey Testa, Assistant Executive Director (Remote)

• Speaker: Kelly Norris (11 Tanglewood Road)
• Subject: Concerns regarding the proposed Capital Planning Committee.
• Summary: Ms. Norris argued that the committee was a response to the School AC project and expressed concern that it might circumvent existing processes and weaken the authority of elected boards.
• Direct Quote: "I hope the effort isn't being rushed to try to block a project for the health and safety of our kids moving forward this fall... This would be a major change to our town government, how it currently works, and it should not be rushed."

• Storm Update: DPW and utility staff worked nearly 30 hours during a storm that dropped approximately two feet of snow. Sidewalk clearing and snow removal in commercial districts will continue through the week.
• Public Health: The Health Department's community assessment survey presentation was postponed due to the storm and will be rescheduled.
• Town Election: Reminded residents that the Town Election is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
• Community Engagement: Encouraged residents to use the "Adopt a Hydrant" online tool to assist the Fire Department with snow clearance.

The Board voted on the following items:

1. Change of manager for the Babson College dining hall alcohol license.
2. Three one-day licenses for Wellesley Country Club for the Adams Bowl tournament in July.
3. Disclosure by a school department employee to work with the Recreation Department.

• Vote Outcome: Approved unanimously (5-0).

• Objective: To recommend a plan for appointing public spaces in the renovated Town Hall.
• Key Proposals:
  • First Floor: Focus on education and welcoming. Proposed a wall-mounted rail system for art/exhibits in the west entrance rather than digital monitors.
  • Second Floor: Focus on business mindset. Proposed a large-scale sepia-toned wallpaper of Town Hall line art for the main white wall.
  • Historical Items: The Fisk Award and portraits of town leaders (including Felix Giuliani) will be displayed near the Town Clerk's office.
• Discussion: Tom Ulfelder expressed concerns regarding the cost and maintenance of digital monitors and the difficulty of moving electrical/HVAC components for art placement.

• Request: Jeff Azano-Brown (DPW) requested a second winter supplemental authorization of $400,000 from free cash.
• Financial Context: If the winter had ended the previous week, a $250,000 balance would have remained; however, recent Sunday storms (requiring double-time pay) exhausted those funds.
• Vote Outcome: Approved unanimously (5-0) to transfer $400,000 from free cash.

• Article 8: CPC contribution to playgrounds is pending a March 18 vote.
• Article 14: PEG access and cable-related fund numbers were updated following a February 20 payment.
• Snow and Ice Policy: The Board discussed whether to continue bringing snow/ice supplementals to Town Meeting. While state law allows these to be handled without a vote, the Board reached a compromise to proceed with the motion this year while signaling a change for next year.
• Vote Outcome: Approved motions for Articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 27, 33, and 36 (5-0).

• Total Budget: Approximately $246,081,818.
• Reserves: Currently at 14.94%, well above the 12% guideline.
• Debt Projections: The plan projects debt out to 2035, highlighting significant impacts from upcoming debt exclusions (estimated $400M over 10 years).
• OPEB/Pension: The town is in a favorable position; pension payments are expected to drop by over 50% starting in FY30 as the system reaches full funding.
• School AC: The plan includes a potential $2 million free cash appropriation for design, noting it may be subject to a referendum.
• Vote Outcome: Approved the Townwide Financial Plan and authorized the Chair to finalize edits (5-0).

• Purpose: To establish a standing committee to advise the Select Board on prioritizing major capital projects (threshold of $500,000+).
• Debate:
  • Support: Colette Aufranc and Tom Ulfelder argued the committee is necessary to manage the $400M+ capital pipeline and provide objective vetting.
  • Opposition: Beth Sullivan Woods and Kenneth Largess expressed concerns about the committee's composition (lack of voting seats for all land-owning boards) and potential "gatekeeping" that could block independent board projects.
• Composition: 5 voting members (2 Select Board, 1 School Committee, 1 DPW, 1 Citizen with construction/finance expertise).
• Vote Outcome: Approved (3-2).
  • Ayes: Freiman, Ulfelder, Aufranc.
  • Nays: Sullivan Woods, Largess.

• Discussion: The Board reviewed "The W Select Board Edition, Volume 2" to be mailed to residents. Beth Sullivan Woods requested the inclusion of more specific capital projects like the Weston Road intersection and playgrounds.
• Vote Outcome: Approved and authorized the Chair to finalize edits (5-0).

• School Committee Update: Discussed new out-of-district placements and the upcoming School Facilities Master Plan.
• Advisory Committee: Public hearing on the Town Meeting warrant is scheduled for February 25.
• Executive Session: The Board entered Executive Session to discuss strategy regarding Wellesley firefighters' collective bargaining and potential litigation with Albany Road Wellesley LLC.