Select Board honors media chief's 20-year milestone
The Select Board celebrated a two-decade milestone for the town's public media leader this week, while election officials posted the warrant for the upcoming state primary, the day's top items from Town Hall.
TOWN HALL
The Select Board recently celebrated Wellesley Media Executive Director James Joyce on his 20th anniversary with the public access television and digital media station, according to a News Flash post from the town. The recognition came during the board's July 21 meeting.
Separately, the Select Board has signed and posted the warrant for the State Primary set for Tuesday, September 1, the town announced. Early voting in-person will be available at Town Hall from August 22 through August 28, with residents also able to vote at their own precinct on Election Day or apply to vote by mail.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wellesley Free Library has a busy stretch of programming ahead. On Friday, July 24, the library hosts a Jigsaw Puzzle Social Hour in the Arnold Room from 2 to 3 p.m., alongside a Trail Blazers Nature Walk for kids from 3:30 to 5 p.m. On Saturday, July 25, the Hills Book Chat meets at the Main Library from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by Self Care Saturday for teens from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The library will be closed all day Sunday, July 26.
Looking further ahead, the library will offer an "Intro to Podcasts" session for Apple users on Tuesday, July 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Jackie's Room, alongside a virtual talk on friendship with Dr. Marisa Franco the same afternoon. The library's Hills Branch renovation project also continues, with updates posted to the library's website tracking the transformation.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Town honors Wellesley Media's James Joyce for 20 years of stellar service" — The Select Board's recognition of Joyce, a story the town's News Flash also covered today, was reported in more detail by The Swellesley Report, which described the tribute as a surprise at the July 21 meeting (read it at https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/07/town-honors-wellesley-medias-james-joyce-for-20-years-of-stellar-service/).
"Wellesley in process of drafting regulations for kratom sales" — Wellesley's Health Department has begun drafting local rules addressing sale of the herbal substance kratom, according to The Swellesley Report (read it at https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/07/wellesley-in-process-of-drafting-regulations-for-kratom/).
"Four Massachusetts suburbs rank among the nation's wealthiest. See why" — Wellesley ranked 12th nationally among affluent suburbs, with an average household income cited at $367,512, according to MetroWest Daily News (read it at https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/local/2026/07/22/these-4-massachusetts-suburbs-rank-among-most-affluent-in-nation-norfolk-middlesex-counties-wealthy/90992373007/).
"Wellesley woman dies following vehicle collision with horse in central New York" — A Wellesley resident, identified as Janet L. Schwaner, 72, died after her vehicle struck a horse while driving in New York state, according to The Swellesley Report (read it at https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/07/wellesley-woman-dies-following-vehicle-collision-with-horse-in-central-new-york/).
"3 Dozen MA Beaches Closed Ahead Of Brilliant Summer Weekend: See Latest Forecast" — Storm runoff from this week's heavy rain pushed up beach closures statewide, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
The town's planned Summer Concert originally scheduled for July 22 was canceled due to an uncertain weather forecast, per a town Alert Center notice.
COMING UP
The library's Jigsaw Puzzle Social Hour and Trail Blazers Nature Walk take place Friday, July 24. The Hills Book Chat and Self Care Saturday follow on Saturday, July 25. The library is closed Sunday, July 26. Creative Collage for kids runs Monday, July 27, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Storytime at Main and the Intro to Podcasts session are both scheduled for Tuesday, July 28. The State Primary early voting period begins August 22, ahead of the September 1 election.