Wellesley Housing Authority reelects officers, closes Barton Road playground

WELLESLEY — May 21, 2026 — Wellesley Housing Authority reelects officers and closes Barton Road playground over compliance concerns. The board unanimously returned Chairperson Maura Renzella, Vice Chairperson Janice Coduri and Treasurer Lisa Heyison at a delayed annual meeting Thursday, then voted on a $213,069.79 check warrant and awarded tree removal work (FISH #324120) to Casablanca Services for $19,008. Renzella said a third party flagged the donated Barton Road playground as out of compliance Monday; the authority will wrap it in caution tape, post no-trespassing signs and seek fencing quotes while contacting the original vendor. Deputy Director James Sullivan reported vacancies down to 14 units, with 17 turned over since a new maintenance supervisor was hired. Renzella also said she will email EOHLC directly over the still-unsigned WHA-Cambridge management agreement, which has left the 2026 budget unsubmitted; Cambridge's Kevin Braga said he has been "pleading for a resolution" since a March 17 meeting.