Wellesley Seeks Volunteers for COA and Cultural Council by July 17
WELLESLEY — The town is recruiting residents to fill open seats on both the Council on Aging Board of Directors and the Wellesley Cultural Council, with applications due July 17 — and a community meeting on the Wellesley Fire Department Master Plan is set for Thursday evening at Town Hall.
TOWN HALL
Two volunteer opportunities opened this week as the town posted notices for open seats on the Council on Aging Board of Directors and the Wellesley Cultural Council. Both application deadlines fall on July 17. The Cultural Council serves as the local arm of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, reviewing grant applications from area artists and organizations each fall — so anyone interested in shaping local arts and culture funding should move quickly.
Also posted Wednesday: a reminder that the Wellesley Fire Department Master Plan community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Residents will have a chance to review findings from the recently completed master plan and offer input directly to planners.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wellesley Free Library has a packed Thursday lineup at the Main Library: Tech Time in Jackie's Room runs from 10 a.m. to noon, Learn to Play Rummikub is at 11 a.m. in the Wakelin Room, and Social Worker Hour is available from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. On Friday, June 26, the library hosts Friday Flowers in the Arnold Room from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a Pollinator Program from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for kids at 10:30 a.m., and a Poetry Book Club at 3 p.m. in Room 204.
Note to library visitors: the Main Library parking lot will be under construction throughout July, so expect limited spaces. The Hills Branch Library remains closed for renovations until fall 2026.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: How 10 big projects could raise Wellesley property taxes for years." Wellesley's newly formed Capital Projects Committee held its first meeting, spotlighting roughly 10 major capital initiatives either underway or under consideration that could have lasting effects on property tax rates. Per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
The Swellesley Report covered the same CapCom meeting, noting that residents can reach the committee at capcom@wellesleyma.gov and that meeting recordings are available on Wellesley Media, per an alert forwarded by Dave Watkins (dwatkins@pavonix.com) (read it at https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/06/wellesleys-first-capcom-meeting-highlights-10-big-capital-projects-in-the-works-or-up-for-consideration/).
"Review Finds No Workplace Link To Newton-Wellesley Nurses' Brain Tumors: Report." An independent review concluded there was no evidence of a tumor cluster or workplace hazard at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, following concerns raised after multiple nurses were diagnosed with brain tumors. Per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/newton/review-finds-no-workplace-link-newton-wellesley-nurses-brain-tumors-report).
No new coverage from MetroWest Daily News or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
COMING UP
- Thursday, June 25: WFD Master Plan Community Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall - Thursday, June 25: Tech Time in Jackie's Room, 10 a.m.–noon, Main Library; Learn to Play Rummikub, 11 a.m.–noon, Wakelin Room; Social Worker Hour, 2:30–3:30 p.m., Main Library - Friday, June 26: Friday Flowers, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Arnold Room; Pollinator Program (Massachusetts Horticultural Society, kids), 10:30–11:30 a.m., Wakelin Room; Poetry Book Club, 3–4 p.m., Room 204 — all at Main Library - Saturday, June 27: Hills Book Chat (at Main Library), 11 a.m.–noon, Arnold Room; Crepe Paper Flowers, 2–4:30 p.m., Main Library - Tuesday, June 30: 'For Sale' Online Selling Tips & Tricks, 1–3 p.m., Jackie's Room, Main Library - July 17: Deadline to apply for COA Board of Directors or Wellesley Cultural Council seats