Town seeks volunteers for Wetlands Protection Committee
The town's Natural Resources Commission is recruiting residents to serve on the Wetlands Protection Committee, while the Wellesley Free Library kicks off a busy week of summer programming.
TOWN HALL
The Natural Resources Commission is looking for candidates to fill both regular and associate member positions on the Wetlands Protection Committee, according to a News Flash posted by the town. The committee helps protect Wellesley's waterways and wetlands, and residents interested in serving can find application details through the town's website.
Separately, the town published the August 2026 edition of "The W," its digital newsletter covering town projects, initiatives, and events for the month, according to the News Flash feed.
SCHOOLS
Wellesley Public Schools reminded families that the PowerSchool Parent Portal will open August 19 and remain open through September 9, giving parents a window to confirm emergency contacts, directory information, and other permissions ahead of the new year. Students return to class on September 2, and registration for the 2026-27 school year remains open for new students in grades kindergarten through 12, with the district urging families to register as soon as possible given upcoming Kindergarten orientation nights.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wellesley Free Library has a full slate this week. The Minuteman Library Crawl runs at the Main Library on Wednesday, August 5, and again Thursday, August 6, both from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and open to all ages. Wednesday evening brings "Health & Wellness with Technology" in Jackie's Room from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and a Mobile Movie screening of "Lilo & Stitch" (2025) runs off-site that same night from 8 to 11 p.m.
Thursday's lineup includes "Maritime Mysteries and Haunted Lighthouses" in the Wakelin Room from 7 to 8:30 p.m., aimed at adults, tweens, and teens, plus a virtual canning and preserving workshop with Holly Capelle in the afternoon. Younger patrons can catch Storytime at the Main Library and FELLS Garden Storytime at the Fells Branch, both Wednesday morning.
Looking slightly further out, the library's Hills Branch renovation project continues to progress, with updates available through the library's website.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Almost 1,400 Massachusetts Layoffs Expected In August" reports that the state's unemployment rate has already surpassed the national level, according to Wellesley Patch, which cited recent labor data pointing to a wave of job cuts statewide this month (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley/s/kl0jc/almost-1-400-massachusetts-layoffs-expected-in-august).
"Tropical Downpours Close Highways, Cause Flash Floods: See Latest Forecast" covered a wet, oppressive stretch of weather across Massachusetts, with up to 2 inches of rain per hour triggering flash flooding, according to Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley/s/kl05a/tropical-downpours-close-highways-cause-flash-floods-see-latest-forecast).
An arts roundup for August flagged by a Google Alert highlighted upcoming performances from Boston Summer Opera and the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, including an invitation to sing in "The Barber of Seville" at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, according to The Swellesley Report (read it at https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/08/arts-roundup-august-2026-boston-summer-opera-wellesley-symphony-orchestra-and-more/).
A Google Alert also surfaced a Daily Voice item noting Aidin Goldschneider has committed to play at Babson College in Wellesley, a Division III athletic program (read it at https://dailyvoice.com/article/aidin-goldschneider-commits-to-babson/).
COMING UP
The Minuteman Library Crawl continues at the Wellesley Free Library on Wednesday, August 5, and Thursday, August 6, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. "Health & Wellness with Technology" meets Wednesday, August 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Jackie's Room. "Maritime Mysteries and Haunted Lighthouses" runs Thursday, August 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Wakelin Room. "Photographing and Capturing the Beauty of Flowers and Gardens" is scheduled for Friday, August 7, from 10 a.m. to noon, also in the Wakelin Room. The library will be closed all day Sunday, August 9. The PowerSchool Parent Portal opens districtwide on August 19.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.