Executive Summary
At the March 24, 2026, meeting, the Wellesley Select Board approved a $12,570,000 general obligation bond for capital projects including the Warren Building HVAC and Weston Road improvements. The Board also authorized a $200,000 supplemental request for snow and ice removal and voted to set senior property tax deferral limits at the maximum levels established by the Department of Revenue. A public hearing resulted in the approval of an all-alcohol license for Magus Cafe with modified hours, and the Board held an extensive discussion regarding draft EOHLC regulations (760 CMR 77) concerning surplus land dispositions.
Meeting Information
- Date: March 24, 2026
- Governing Body: Wellesley Select Board
- Meeting Type: Regular Meeting (Remote via Zoom)
- Attendees:
- Marjorie Freiman, Chair
- Tom Ulfelder, Vice Chair
- Colette Aufranc, Secretary
- Beth Sullivan Woods, Board Member
- Kenneth Largess, Board Member
- Meghan Jop, Executive Director
- Corey Testa, Assistant Executive Director
- Rachel DeRoche, CFO
- Dave Cohen, DPW Director
- Chief Whittemore, Wellesley Police Department
Citizen Speak
- Karen Sue Taussig (Wellesley Defense Democracy): Invited residents to the "Wellesley No Kings Rally" on Saturday, March 28th, at Town Hall Green from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. She described it as a "joyful, nonpartisan, nonviolent event."
- Tim Fulham (15 Windsor Road): Addressed false accusations regarding the illegal placement of campaign materials in mailboxes during the March 3rd election. He stated, "I did not place election related or any other material in mailboxes of town residents," and noted that he was undergoing surgery at the time the alleged activity occurred.
Executive Director's Report
- Town Meeting: Annual Town Meeting begins Monday, March 30th, at 7:00 PM at the High School.
- Public Safety Warning: The Police Department warned of a parking ticket scam involving fraudulent messages and QR codes.
- Cochituate Aqueduct Damage: Reported unauthorized construction of bike ramps and digging on town land. Executive Director Jop stated, "Make no bones about it, this is destruction of town land," noting that the DPW must now divert resources to restore the area and protect undermined tree structures.
Consent Agenda
- Action: The Board voted to approve the placement of Celebration Committee signs for Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend on town property.
- Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous).
- Freiman: Aye
- Ulfelder: Aye
- Aufranc: Aye
- Sullivan Woods: Aye
- Largess: Aye
General Obligation Bond Approval
- Financial Details: The Board reviewed the results of a March 10, 2026, bond sale for $12,570,000.
- Net Interest Rate: 2.659%.
- Bond Rating: Triple A (Moody’s).
- Premium: $1,280,000 used to reduce the net borrowing amount.
- Projects Funded:
- Warren Building HVAC
- Weston Road Improvements
- Recycling Disposal Facility (RDF) Admin Building
- Discussion on Reserves: Moody's noted that national reserve benchmarks are shifting toward 20-25% of revenues; Wellesley currently maintains approximately 15-16%.
- Action: Voted to approve the formal award of the bonds to the low bidder and establish terms as prepared by Bond Counsel.
- Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous).
Public Hearing: All-Alcohol License - Magus Cafe
- Application: Magus Cafe, 300 Washington Street. Manager: Stratis Sarantias.
- Discussion: The applicant requested hours starting at 8:00 AM for brunch service. Police Chief Whittemore expressed safety concerns regarding alcohol service during morning commuter hours. The Board discussed consistency with other town licenses.
- Action: Voted to approve the all-alcohol license with service hours from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week.
- Vote: 4-1 (Ulfelder opposed, preferring an 11:00 AM start time for consistency).
Snow and Ice Supplemental Request
- Action: Approved a third supplemental authorization of $200,000 for winter maintenance.
- Financial Impact: This modification brings the total for Article 7, Motion 1 to $1,100,000.
- Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous).
Senior Property Tax Deferral Limit
- Context: Following the Governor's signing of H-4143, the Board discussed updating income limits for the senior tax deferral program.
- Action: Voted to set the senior property tax deferral income limits at the maximum levels established by the Department of Revenue (DOR) Commissioner, regardless of marital status (approximately $112,000 for tax year 2025).
- Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous).
EOHLC Surplus Land Regulations (760 CMR 77)
- Discussion: The Board formulated questions for Town Counsel regarding the draft regulations from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).
- Key Concerns:
- Consistency between Land Disposition Agreements and Development Agreements.
- The definition of "reuse restrictions" and whether they apply in perpetuity.
- The impact on local inclusionary zoning and environmental regulations.
- Calculation of "effective density" and the exclusion of undevelopable land (wetlands/rights of way) from the denominator.
- The preclusion of discretionary site plan review.
Annual Town Meeting Preparation
- Update: Meghan Jop confirmed that the updated sources and uses have been posted. No further modifications were required for Article 8, Motion 2.
Minutes and Chair's Report
- Minutes: Approved the minutes of the March 19, 2026, Moderator's Meeting (4-0-1, Largess abstained).
- School Facilities: The School Committee is moving forward with a consultant for the School Facilities Master Plan.
- MassBay Forest: Chair Freiman noted that the town has not yet received responses to its January 9th letter to the Commonwealth regarding the protection of the forest at the MassBay site.
Executive Session
- Purpose: To discuss strategy for collective bargaining with Firefighters and Library Associations, and to discuss potential litigation with Albany Road Wellesley LLC.
- Action: The Board voted to enter Executive Session and adjourn directly therefrom.