AG Approves Wellesley Flood Plain Bylaw Change as Heat Watch Takes Hold
With a seven-day stretch of dangerous heat and humidity now underway, Wellesley's Health Department is urging residents to take precautions — while town hall also marked a zoning milestone, with the state signing off on a flood plain bylaw amendment passed at this spring's Annual Town Meeting.
TOWN HALL
The Health Department issued a heat safety advisory Monday, warning that the next seven days will bring extremely hot temperatures and high humidity capable of posing serious health risks. Residents are encouraged to stay cool and take advantage of designated cooling locations around town. The advisory is posted on the town's website at wellesleyma.gov.
Separately, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has formally approved an amendment to Wellesley's Flood Plain zoning bylaw dealing with recreational vehicles — a change that voters approved at the 2026 Annual Town Meeting. The AG's sign-off, posted Tuesday, completes the adoption process and puts the updated bylaw into effect. Full details are at wellesleyma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=2881.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Wellesley Free Library patrons should note a few schedule changes heading into the holiday weekend: all three library branches — Main, Hills, and Fells — will be closed July 3 through July 5 for Independence Day. The Hills Branch remains closed for ongoing renovations through Fall 2026, and the Main Library parking lot is under construction through September, so plan for limited parking.
Before the closure, the library has two programs on Thursday, July 2: Tech Time in Jackie's Room runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and a Social Worker Hour is available from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. A "Learn to Play Rummikub" session is also scheduled for 11 a.m. to noon in the Wakelin Room.
Looking ahead to July, the library has a full lineup including a live theatrical performance, "The Women of '76 with Rita Parisi," on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. in the Wakelin Room — a one-woman show drawing on true stories of women who shaped the American Revolution. On Tuesday, July 7, author and journalist Mel Allen brings "Listening to New England" to the same room at 7 p.m.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Wellesley Man Held Without Bail In Father's Fatal Stabbing: Report" — A Wellesley man pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge and was ordered held without bail following his father's death, per Wellesley Patch. Wellesley police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office conducted the investigation, per the report (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley/wellesley-man-held-without-bail-fathers-fatal-stabbing-report).
"🌱 Patch AM: Which big decisions are on Wellesley's agenda this week?" — Wellesley Patch's morning briefing flags several town government agenda items for the week of June 29, including Planning Board discussions, fiscal year-end transfers, and executive sessions related to contract negotiations, per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
No new coverage from MetroWest Daily News or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
COMING UP
- Wed., July 2 — Tech Time in Jackie's Room, Main Library, 10 a.m.–noon; Learn to Play Rummikub, Wakelin Room, 11 a.m.–noon; Social Worker Hour, Main Library, 2:30–3:30 p.m. - Fri.–Sun., July 3–5 — All Wellesley Free Library branches closed (Independence Day holiday) - Tues., July 7 — "Listening to New England with Mel Allen," Wakelin Room, Main Library, 7–8:30 p.m.; Adult Craft To-Go Kits available all day - Wed., July 8 — Digital Photography With Your DSLR Camera, Part 3, Jackie's Room, 6:30–8:30 p.m. - Thurs., July 9 — Tech Time in Jackie's Room, 10 a.m.–noon; Banned Book Club, 6–7 p.m. - Fri., July 10 — Find Your Family History: Genealogy Resources at WFL, Jackie's Room, 10–11 a.m.; Friday Morning Book Group, 10–11 a.m. - Tues., July 14 — "The Women of '76 with Rita Parisi," Wakelin Room, Main Library, 7–8:30 p.m.