Advisory Committee Approves Contested Legal Services Appropriation
Wellesley Advisory Committee recommends favorable action on contested legal services appropriation. The committee backed a $200,000 supplemental appropriation for fiscal 2026 legal services tied largely to the Mass Bay property matter, approving the measure 9 to 3 after significant debate about
Advisory Committee · Meeting of March 4, 2026
Wellesley Advisory Committee recommends favorable action on contested legal services appropriation. The committee backed a $200,000 supplemental appropriation for fiscal 2026 legal services tied largely to the Mass Bay property matter, approving the measure 9 to 3 after significant debate about whether specialized outside counsel was necessary. Select Board Chair Marjorie Freiman explained the town's rationale for retaining specialized litigation counsel to navigate complex state law and uncertain statute interpretation.
The committee also recommended major FY27 appropriations totaling approximately $26.65 million for water, sewer, and stormwater programs, with members noting residents should expect a water rate increase of around 20 percent due to PFAS contamination mitigation costs. Capital projects approved include $600,000 for safety improvements at the Weston Road and Linden Street intersection and $858,000 for a Department of Public Works feasibility study.
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Source: the Advisory Committee meeting of March 4, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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