Wellesley DPW Board Awards $850,000 Campus Study Contract

Board of Public Works · Meeting of July 20, 2026

WELLESLEY — The Wellesley Board of Public Works voted to award an $850,000 feasibility study contract for a new DPW campus. Board members unanimously selected Weston & Sampson, chosen from four firms that submitted proposals, after Vice Chair Michael McManus called the respondents "all very impressive." The board also reorganized, electing new member Edward "Ned" Hall as secretary in a 2-0 vote with one abstention. The DPW director said the town remains in a Level 2 significant drought, with handheld watering only permitted, and suggested enforcement could shift from police fines to a utility-bill fee.

Water rates rose 15 percent and sewer rates 3 percent effective July 1, driven largely by PFAS treatment costs, with the town having received $1.7 million so far from a PFAS settlement.

In the full story:

• Board Reorganization and Minutes
• Director's Recognition: Retirements and Promotions
• Drought Status and Enforcement Options
• DPW Campus Feasibility Study Contract Award
• June Monthly Report: FY26 Goals Recap and Capital Projects
• PFAS Settlement and Treatment Costs
• FY26 Enterprise Fund Financials and Rate Increase Breakdown
• FY27 Goals and Benchmarking
• Scheduling and Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,417 words

Source: the Board of Public Works meeting of July 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.