Select Board September 29, 2026

Executive Director Meghan Jop provided several community announcements and departmental updates:

• Fall Document Destruction Day: Scheduled at the Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for sensitive residential paper documents. Residents must transport documents in brown paper bags or cardboard boxes without binders, plastic folders, or heavy metal.
• Paint Collection: The final RDF paint collection of the season is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
• Grant and Marathon Applications: The Cultural Council grant application period is open through October 15, offering roughly $20,000 in arts-related funding. Applications for the 2027 Boston Marathon non-profit and runner numbers are also open until 4:00 PM on October 15.
• Discover Wellesley: A two-day event will take place on Friday and Saturday in Wellesley Square showcasing local merchants and restaurants.
• North 40 Design Charrette: The community charrette is scheduled for Thursday evening at Wellesley High School, with check-in beginning at 6:30 PM.

Town Clerk Casey Cato presented operational details for the upcoming November 3 state election:

• Ballot Details: The ballot includes state and federal candidate races and nine ballot questions, requiring a two-page ballot card (front and back across three sides). Voters are encouraged to read the state information guide and complete and return both pages.
• Vote by Mail: Approximately 6,200 mail-in ballots have been requested and are being processed for mailing. Approximately 50% of Wellesley voters typically cast ballots by mail or through early voting.
• Early Voting in Person: Voting will be hosted at Town Hall during regular business hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday), with Saturday hours on October 17 and October 24 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and extended evening hours until 8:00 PM on Thursday, October 29. The voter registration deadline is October 24.
• Pop-Up Early Voting Locations: In-person early voting will be offered at the Sisters of Charity (125 Oakland Street) during daytime hours and at Waterstone at Wellesley (27 Washington Street) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. These sites are open to any registered Wellesley voter, not solely facility residents.
• Election Day Polling: Precincts A and C will continue to vote at Upham Elementary School rather than the Bates School.

Select Board member Kenneth Largess presented the Town Bylaw Review Committee's recommendations on proposed amendments for the upcoming Special Town Meeting:

• School Committee Transportation Contracts: The proposal extends the School Committee's contracting authorization for school children transportation from 5 years to 10 years by striking "five years" and replacing it with "ten years," with minor capitalization corrections.
• Advisory Committee Report Electronic Distribution: The proposed amendment to Section 11 enables the Advisory Committee to distribute its Town Meeting report electronically via email rather than solely by physical mail. The amendment clarifies email definitions, provides for physical copies to be held at Town Hall, and ensures residents can request mailed copies from the Select Board's office upon request.

Action Taken:

• Motion to approve the edits to the Advisory Committee's proposed bylaw amendment language and the School Committee's proposed bylaw amendment language for the 2027 Special Town Meeting as proposed by the Bylaw Review Committee to the Select Board: Passed 5-0.

The Select Board conducted the annual performance review of Executive Director Meghan Jop covering Fiscal Year 2026:

• Key Accomplishments: Board members highlighted Jop's leadership across numerous complex town initiatives, including the recruitment of Chief Financial Officer Rachel DeRoach, staffing three town meetings, oversight of the Affordable Homes Act MassBay project, development of the Strategic Housing Plan, administration of the Affordable Housing Trust, establishment of the Townwide Capital Planning Committee (CAPCOM) and Bylaw Review Committee, advancement of the Fire Station Master Plan, separation of town and school budgets, and management of townwide union collective bargaining negotiations.
• Board Discussion: Board members commended Jop's responsiveness, strategic guidance, and collaboration across municipal departments and regional bodies.

Action Taken:

• Motion to approve the Executive Director's performance evaluation as amended and authorize a merit increase of 3%: Passed 5-0.

Select Board Member Colette Aufranc presented two CAPCOM project proposal forms co-sponsored by the Board of Public Works and the Select Board:

• Wellesley Square Reconstruction: A project focused on infrastructure and cosmetic revitalization, sidewalk accessibility, and mobility enhancements in Wellesley Square. The Board discussed consequences of delay, retail vitality impacts, pedestrian connectivity to Central Park, and the potential timing of construction funding requests in FY2028 or FY2029.
• Weston Road and Linden Street Intersection Reconstruction: An intersection safety and reconstruction project ranked as the second-highest priority area of concern on the Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. The Board discussed coordination with potential fire station siting and escalation cost assumptions (currently estimated at 4.5%).

Action Taken:

• Motion to approve the project proposal forms for the Wellesley Square reconstruction and the Weston Road and Linden Street intersection reconstruction: Passed 5-0.

The Board considered a motion to enter executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) to conduct strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining negotiations with the Wellesley Patrol Officers Association and litigation regarding Albany Road Wellesley LLC, inviting Executive Director Meghan Jop, Assistant Executive Director Corey Testa, Human Resources Director Dolores Hamilton, Town Counsel Tom Harrington, and Police Chief Scott Whittemore, with the Board returning to open session solely to adjourn.

Action Taken:

• Motion to enter executive session under M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3): Passed 5-0.