Select Board October 13, 2026

Executive Director Meghan Jop presented administrative announcements and community reminders:

• Wellesley Square Amenities Project: A public meeting on the Wellesley Square Improvement Project is scheduled for October 14, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hunnewell Elementary School, with additional public engagement planned for mid-November.
• Council on Aging Health and Wellness Fair: The event will be held Thursday, October 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Tolles Parsons Center, featuring over 40 exhibitors.
• Early Voting Schedule: Early in-person voting at Town Hall will take place on Saturday, October 17 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.); Saturday, October 24 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); and Monday, October 26 through Friday, October 30 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., open until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29).
• Grant and Invitational Applications: Applications for Cultural Council grants and Wellesley nonprofit Boston Marathon invitational entries are both due October 15, 2026, with over 20 marathon applications received to date.

The Board considered designating two positions within the Recreation Department—night monitor and camp counselor—as special municipal employees to resolve potential conflict-of-interest requirements for employees working across multiple town departments.

• Motion to approve the consent agenda.
• Passed 5-0.

Police Chief Scott Whittemore and Deputy Chief Jeffrey Renzella presented three candidates to fill existing department vacancies resulting from a medical retirement, an inter-departmental transfer, and a 30-year retirement. The department evaluated over 160 applicants who completed the entrance examination, narrowing the pool to 20 interviews, 13 ride-along evaluations, and eight background checks.

• Candidate Backgrounds:
  • John Canal: Holds a bachelor's degree and an MBA in Business Administration from Salve Regina University, has family ties to Wellesley, and was commended for his composure and retail customer service experience.
  • Georgia Jones: Holds degrees in Criminology/Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, served as president of the student organization I Stand working with Title IX issues, and is completing EMT certification.
  • Nicholas LaVangie: U.S. Army National Guard veteran who served as a military police officer (including past Boston Marathon security deployments), holds a bachelor's degree from Fitchburg State University, and works as a physical education teacher at Foxborough Regional Charter School.
• Board Action:
  • "Move to appoint John Canal, Georgia Jones and Nicholas LaVangi to the position of patrol officer effective October 13th, 2026 contingent upon passage of the police academy, passage of physical abilities, medical and psychological exam, and a one-year probationary period."
  • Passed 5-0.

Executive Director Meghan Jop and Finance Director Rachel DeRoche reviewed proposed budget parameters for Fiscal Year 2028, noting financial factors including unsettled municipal and school union contracts, the 52.4 payroll week cycle, and free cash requirements.

• Budget Assumptions and Targets:
  • Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): A 2% COLA was budgeted for exempt and non-exempt employees, resulting in a baseline increase of 2.4% for salaried staff once the 52.4-week calendar factor (+0.39%) is incorporated.
  • Capital Financing: Recommended at 6% under the Capital Financing Policy, decreased from higher historic averages (6.2%–6.8%) to address structural budget constraints.
  • Operating Expenses: Set at 0% across most departments, with targeted exceptions including Information Technology (8% placeholder for licensing, cybersecurity, and software fees), Public Works (projecting a 20% increase in fuel costs and a $75,000 to $100,000 increase in the trash disposal contract), Police and Fire (4% expense increases for vehicle maintenance and fuel), and the Library (5% for subscriptions and required statutory materials).
  • Software Upgrades: IT costs reflect a $25,000 applicant tracking software operationalization and a phased transition for Tyler Technologies/Munis cloud hosting of $100,000 annually over three years.
  • Facilities Management: Anticipated commercial lease renewal for department operations at 888 Worcester Street could increase annual lease costs by approximately $250,000, with capital moving and fit-out costs estimated at $405,000.
  • School Department: Budget guideline reflected a 3.4% personal services placeholder (incorporating the 3.0% Town-Wide Financial Plan figure adjusted for 52.4 pay periods) while collective bargaining remains pending.
• Board Action:
  • "Move to set the capital spending range as defined in the Capital Financing Policy at 6%, a 2% COLA increase for all exempt and non-exempt union employees, and to establish individual guidelines as presented and discussed at the October 13 select board meeting."
  • Passed 5-0.

Select Board member Kenneth Largess presented revised language for Article 7 on behalf of the Town By-law Review Committee, incorporating feedback from the Advisory Committee to streamline town bylaws relative to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law and Public Records Law.

• Key Revisions:
  • Section 2.1 was restructured into a clear cross-reference to statutory provisions covering public notices, minutes, recordings, and executive sessions.
  • Section 2.2 specifies the town's opt-in policy for municipal website meeting postings.
  • Redundant clauses regarding civil rights protections and enumerations of public body types were deleted to simplify text.
• Board Action:
  • "Move to approve the 2026 special town meeting article 7 language as proposed by the Town By-law Review Committee."
  • Passed 5-0.

The Board reviewed updated language for Article 15 (a citizen petition concerning accelerated design and construction for municipal and school projects) along with a technical assessment memo submitted by Facilities Management Department (FMD) Director Joe McDonough.

• Board Discussion:
  • Members discussed quantifying financial risks, noting that while fast-tracking construction involves risks such as change orders and an upfront accelerated design report cost of $170,000, it could potentially save funds against inflation escalators.
  • Concerns were raised regarding whether FMD's technical memorandum should restrict its focus solely to construction feasibility and risk analysis, rather than commenting on procedural policy or characterizing town meeting articles as "friendly" or "unfriendly."
  • Board Chair Marjorie Freiman noted that additional clarifying questions and FMD's responses would be appended to the memorandum for review by the Advisory Committee.

The Board reviewed the draft townwide communication prepared by town administration.

• Members were requested to submit remaining edits and comments by October 14, 2026, to meet publishing deadlines ahead of the target distribution date of October 21, 2026.

The Board took a roll call vote to enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy regarding collective bargaining with the Wellesley Patrol Officers Association, Wellesley Superior Officers Association, Dispatch Unit Union, IAFF Local 1795 Firefighters, Wellesley Free Library Staff Association, and Wellesley Free Library Supervisors Association, with the regular meeting to reconvene only for the purpose of adjournment.

• Passed 5-0.