Wellesley Morning Brief, Nov. 2: Zoning board presses for missing safety data

From Wellesley News

• ZBA continues 592 Washington Street hearing to Nov 3 Wellesley's Zoning Board of Appeals continued its hearing on a 19-unit project at 592 Washington Street, saying the applicant owes a construction plan, lighting details and excavation data. An engineer estimated 700 truck trips to haul dirt, and an attorney called the route "lunacy."Wellesley News
• Design Review Board approves revised Albion Road plan Wellesley's Design Review Board reviewed revised plans for a large house at 35 Albion Road after a vice chair said a planned pool and wall violated guidelines on natural landscaping. The board also weighed sign permits for Washington Street-area businesses amid a planning staffing shortage.Wellesley News
• Wetlands panel approves Worcester Road housing order Wellesley's Wetlands Protection Committee continued review of a 24-unit Walnut Street apartment project after its peer reviewer could not confirm a proposed stormwater filter meets town standards. A town meeting member warned of truck traffic near a center for adults with special needs.Wellesley News
• Housing Trust delays five-year plan vote The Wellesley Affordable Housing Trust postponed votes on its draft Five-Year Action Plan to November 18, saying trustees had not reviewed a newly red-lined draft closely enough. Trustees also discussed a developer's purchase of 110 Cedar Street.Wellesley News
• Light Board writes off $44,670 in unpaid bills Wellesley's Municipal Light Board wrote off years of uncollectible debt from 212 inactive accounts dating to fiscal 2021, citing a lapse in collections policy under prior leadership. S&P affirmed its AA rating but called the cash reserve "borderline insufficient."Wellesley News
• Officials weigh Sprague scoreboard placement options Wellesley school officials and parents debated where to place a $50,000 Sprague Field scoreboard, funded by the Diamond Club, after a neighbor warned a left-field spot could affect helicopter medevac access. The athletic director said center field would block batters' sightline.Wellesley News
• NRC votes to draft White Pond position statement Wellesley's Natural Resources Commission voted to draft a Town Meeting statement on White Pond, backing conservation and asking petitioners to resolve whether the Karisbrook Trust still exists. The citizen petition seeks up to $100,000 ahead of the November 9 special Town Meeting.Wellesley News
• ZBA continues 10 Railroad Street hearing to Dec 10 The Wellesley Zoning Board of Appeals pushed a hearing on a proposed MBTA Communities housing development at 10 Railroad Street to December 10, after an attorney for the applicant said talks with abutters over parking have not reached resolution.Wellesley News

Happening Mon, Nov 2

• 2:00 p.m.: Weekly Torah and Tea class at Chabad Wellesley Weston Chabad hosts its weekly Torah & Tea class on Monday, November 2, at 2 p.m.Wellesley Weston Chabad
• 3:45 p.m.: Library craft outing visits Barton Road complex Wellesley Free Library's "On The Go" program brings a craft activity to the community room at the Barton Road Housing Complex on November 2 from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.Wellesley Free Library
• 4:00 p.m.: Sticker Club trades and crafts at the library Kids age six and up can trade stickers and make a reusable sticker book at the Wellesley Free Library's Sticker Club on November 2 at 4 p.m.; 11 seats were listed as open.Wellesley Free Library
• 7:00 p.m.: Virtual talk on Eleanor Roosevelt in WWII Author Shannon McKenna Schmidt discusses "The First Lady of World War II," about Eleanor Roosevelt, in a virtual Wellesley Free Library program on November 2 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.Wellesley Free Library

Yesterday in Wellesley (Sun, Nov 1)

• Babson women's soccer draws Wheaton in NEWMAC quarterfinal Sixth-seeded Babson College women's soccer visits third-seeded Wheaton College in a NEWMAC Tournament quarterfinal on Tuesday, November 3, with Babson seeking its first win in the series since 2024 after three straight losses to the Lyons.Babson Athletics
• Wellesley Raiders schedule features soccer, football this week Wellesley High School's regular season winds down this week as postseason brackets are released, with boys soccer hosting Weymouth Monday at 4 p.m. and football traveling to Norwood Friday at 6 p.m., according to Wellesley Sports Blitz.Wellesley Sports Blitz

Coming up

• Tue, Nov 3, 4:00 p.m.: Audit Committee meets Tuesday afternoon Wellesley's Audit Committee meets November 3 at 4 p.m., per the town calendar.Town of Wellesley
• Tue, Nov 3: Adult craft kits available for pickup at library Wellesley Free Library will have Adult Craft To-Go kits, with instructions and supplies, available for pickup on the first floor starting November 3.Wellesley Free Library
• Tue, Nov 3, 10:30 a.m.: Snuggle Up Storytime held at Hills branch Wellesley Free Library's Hills Branch hosts a cozy Snuggle Up Storytime for babies and toddlers on November 3 at 10:30 a.m.Wellesley Free Library
• Tue, Nov 3, 6:30 p.m.: Rosh Chodesh Society hosts Next Genesis talk Wellesley Weston Chabad's Rosh Chodesh Society hosts "Next Genesis," exploring the Torah's opening narratives, on November 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Wellesley Weston Chabad
• Wed, Nov 4, 6:30 p.m.: Advisory Committee meets at Town Hall Wellesley's Advisory Committee meets November 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at Town Hall, 525 Washington Street.Town of Wellesley
• Wed, Nov 4: Early release Wednesday at high, middle schools Wellesley High School and Wellesley Middle School dismiss early on Wednesday, November 4, according to the district calendar.Wellesley Public Schools
• Wed, Nov 4, 10:30 a.m.: Virtual networking group for job seekers over 50 Wellesley Free Library's virtual 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group meets November 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Wellesley Free Library
• Thu, Nov 5: Early release for PreK-5 parent conferences Wellesley's PreK-5 schools hold an early release day for parent conferences on Thursday, November 5.Wellesley Public Schools
• Thu, Nov 5, 7:00 p.m.: Arnold Lecture features David Tuch and Dick Lehr The Wellesley Free Library hosts its Arnold Lecture, with David Tuch in conversation with author Dick Lehr, on November 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.Wellesley Free Library
• Fri, Nov 6, 8:00 a.m.: Climate Action Committee holds hybrid meeting Wellesley's Climate Action Committee holds a hybrid meeting November 6 at 8 a.m. in the Juliani Room at Town Hall.Town of Wellesley
• Fri, Nov 6, 12:00 p.m.: Sustainability summit convenes at Babson's Olin Hall The Greater Needham-Wellesley Sustainability Summit runs November 6 from noon to 5 p.m. at Babson College's Olin Hall.Town of Wellesley
• Fri, Nov 6, 11:15 a.m.: Historical Society offers Revolution exhibit tour The Wellesley Historical Society offers a guided tour of its "A Time of Revolution" exhibition on November 6 at 11:15 a.m.Wellesley Historical Society
• Sat, Nov 7, 10:30 a.m.: Commonwealth Ballet performs at the library Commonwealth Ballet performs for all ages at the Wellesley Free Library on November 7 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.Wellesley Free Library
• Sat, Nov 7, 2:00 p.m.: Snail Mail Afternoon lets teens write letters Teens and adults can write letters and postcards at the Wellesley Free Library's Snail Mail Afternoon on November 7 from 2 to 4 p.m.Wellesley Free Library
• Sun, Nov 8: Diwali observance marked on school calendar Wellesley Public Schools' calendar marks Diwali on Sunday, November 8.Wellesley Public Schools
• Sun, Nov 8, 1:30 p.m.: Artists' demo features Don Demers' seascape painting The Wellesley Society of Artists hosts an artist demonstration with Don Demers, "The Breaking Sea," at the Wellesley Free Library on November 8 from 1:30 to 3:45 p.m.Wellesley Free Library

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Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.