Frequently Asked Questions

Wellesley Town Hall is open for public services Monday - Friday from  8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the summer (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day), Town Hall closes at noon on Fridays. Please check each department webpage for individual open and closed hours.

The Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) is open during the following times:

Residential Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
7:00 AM - Noon

Thursday, Friday, Saturday
7:00 AM - 3:45 PM

Sunday (December - March)
Closed

Sunday (April - November)
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Commercial Hours

Monday - Saturday
7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Closed Sunday

Please note that the RDF is closed on state holidays and other dates, announced in advance. Visit the RDF page for more information.

To find out more about the Town of Wellesley street parking, parking lots, and rates, go the Parking Clerk  webpage.

Copies of Vital Records (certified copies of Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates) may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office for a $10.00 fee per copy ordered.

Requests can be made online, in person, or by a letter enclosing a check for the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The Town Clerk’s office does not accept credit card payments.

Send request and payment to:

Town Clerk

525 Washington Street

Wellesley MA 02482

The Town of Wellesley can issue vital records for:

BIRTHS – if the person was born in Wellesley or the parents were resident in Wellesley at the time of the birth.  (Please note - Newton Wellesley Hospital is in the City of Newton - call (617) 796-1200 for vital records in Newton)

DEATHS – if the place of pronouncement is Wellesley or the informant declared Wellesley to be the town of last residence of the decedent.  Persons who die out of state will not have a death certificate filed with the Town of Wellesley.

MARRIAGES – if the couple filed their Intention of Marriage in Wellesley.  The location of the filing is not determined by the location of the ceremony, it is the convenience of the couple as to where in Massachusetts they choose to file the intention.

The Annual Town Election is scheduled for Tuesday March 3, 2026.

You may register to vote in person, by mail, at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or online. Learn more on the Town Clerk voter registration page.

You may register in person at Wellesley Town Hall (525 Washington Street, Town Clerk's Office) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Mail in forms can be obtained online. Residents with a Massachusetts Driver's License may also complete voter registration online.

Teens turning 18 on or before the next election date may preregister before their birthday. Teens must be registered by the applicable deadline to participate in the next election.

Teens ages 16 and 17 may also pre-register as a voter, but are not eligible to vote until their 18th birthday.

If you have moved within Wellesley, you may make the change online or notify the Town Clerk's Office of your new address in writing. If you have moved to a new city or town, you must register again in the new location.

If you have not received confirmation of your voter status from the Town Clerk's Office within 1 week from the date you registered please contact Diane Innes, Wellesley Elections and Registration Administrator, at dinnes@wellesleyma.gov or 781-431-1019, ext. 2258.

To find where to vote in your district.  

Learn about voting by mail on the Town Clerk's webpage. 

The Wellesley Council on Aging (COA) is located at the Tolles Parsons Center, 500 Washington Street in Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482. Enter 500 Washington Street into your GPS for turn-by-turn directions. Free parking is available on-site in the parking lot. We offer transportation to the Center for seniors who need or would like a ride. 

Regular business hours for the Council on Aging (COA) and the Tolles Parsons Center are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Please visit our Transportation page for information on the COA Bus. 

The Council on Aging offers a variety of social, recreational, and educational programs. Our newsletter lists our current programs and is mailed to Wellesley residents over the age of 60 on a bi-monthly basis. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter via print or e-mail, please contact us.

Anyone over the age of 60 is welcome to participate in COA programs and utilize our services. There is no membership fee to “join”. While both Wellesley residents and non-residents are eligible to take part in our programs, we offer priority registration to Wellesley residents. We invite first time users to call or visit the COA to register your information and receive a tour. We will then issue you a key tag and you will be ready to begin enjoying the many benefits and resources available to you as part of the Wellesley COA community.

Family members, caregivers, and neighbors frequently contact us for information about services that help keep elders living safely and independently in their homes. Our Health and Social Services Administrator can help connect your loved one to local programs and services, even if you live far away.  Visit our Social Services page for information.

The Wellesley Council on Aging could not accomplish its work without the assistance of its many dedicated volunteers.  Please visit our Volunteer page to find our volunteer application and to learn about opportunities.

The COA partners with Express Gourmet, North End Pizza, Wellesley Bakery, The Linden Store, The Cheesy Street Grill, Oath Pizza, Mark's Pizza and Subs, and Captain Marden's of Wellesley to offer catered lunches four times per week. Meals are $6.00  and served at the COA every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at noon.  Nonresidents may purchase lunch for $12.00. Guests must register by  3:00 PM two business days before the lunch they plan to attend. No refunds are given. 

The COA does not offer a Meals on Wheels program nor home-delivered meals to Wellesley residents.

PFAS6 is defined as the sum of the concentrations of the following six PFAS compounds: 

• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 
• Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) 
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)

Currently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has a health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS.  

Effective October 2, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) finalized revisions to the drinking water regulations (310 CMR 22), which now include a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS6. According to 310 CMR 22.07G, a water supplier is in violation of the MCL if PFAS6 exceeds 20 parts per trillion (ppt) at an entry point to the distribution system on a regular basis.  Because the Town of Wellesley (Town) serves between 10,000 and 50,000 customers, the new regulations required the Town to begin PFAS6 compliance sampling in April 2021. 

The USEPA released a PFAS Strategic Roadmap in October 2021, which anticipates federal regulation of PFAS in drinking water. This includes issuing formal regulatory limits for PFOA and PFOS in about a year and ongoing assessment of other PFAS compounds for potential future regulation. Additionally in the spring of 2021, the USEPA announced the Fifth Uncontaminated Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) compound list which includes 29 PFAS compounds. Monitoring for UCMR5 will begin in 2023. EPA uses the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) to collect data for contaminants that are suspected to be present in drinking water and do not have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 

There is another testing method (USEPA Method 533) that can detect 25 PFAS compounds in the approved analyte list, but it is not currently approved by MassDEP for public drinking water supply testing. A combination of USEPA Method 533 and 537.1 will be used for UCMR5 analyte list.

Other PFAS compounds are likely present in Wellesley drinking water; however, the accepted laboratory testing method (USEPA Method 537.1) can detect a suite of 18 PFAS compounds.

Common sources of PFAS contamination in the environment include use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) used for fighting fires; manufacturing of water-resistant and non-stick consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, stain resistant coatings, water resistant clothing, cleaning products, and personal care products to name a few. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry provide additional information regarding the health effects of PFAS and possible sources of exposure: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/exposure.html

The foam used by WFD is Nova Cool for years and has no PFAS. Previously WFD used FireAid, no PFAS as well. There is no inventory at either station of any foam products that contain PFAS’s.

MassDEP has been supporting some municipalities with environmental due diligence related to PFAS. The Town is currently exploring conducting a preliminary environmental due diligence assessment of the surrounding area to investigate potential source(s) of PFAS contamination.

There are three different treatment alternatives most commonly considered effective in the removal of PFAS from drinking water: adsorption using activated carbon, ion exchange using resins, and reverse osmosis using permeable membranes.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

GAC contactor vessels are the most common units on the market for PFAS removal for both surface water and groundwater sources. The pressure vessels remove PFAS via adsorption to the GAC media and require backwashing of the vessels once they reach a certain differential pressure. GAC has been found to have greater efficacy removing of long-chain PFAS compounds than short-chain PFAS compounds. According to the USEPA, GAC has a maximum demonstrated removal rate of between 90% and 98% of the PFAS6 compounds regulated by the new MCL. 

Ion Exchange (IX)

Similar to GAC vessels, IX resins are typically installed in pressurized, contactor vessels in a lead-lag configuration. The positively charged resin attracts the negatively charged PFAS particles, removing them from the water. In many applications, IX has been found to have greater removal of short-chain PFAS compounds than long-chain PFAS compounds. According to the USEPA, IX has a maximum demonstrated removal rate of between 94% and 99% of the PFAS6 compounds regulated by the new MCL. Unlike GAC, IX resins have a finite capacity, and typically cannot be reactivated and reused, requiring an ultimate off-site disposal location. Additionally, IX resins require pre-filtration using bag filters to capture any solids in the raw water, adding to the capital, operations, and maintenance costs; however, IX resins typically have a longer lifespan before reaching this ultimate capacity when compared to GAC. 

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

RO utilizes high-pressure, small pore size, permeable membranes to separate PFAS compounds from feed water. The concentrated waste water is continually recirculated into the feed water or fed through secondary and tertiary RO systems, resulting in high recovery rates and non-detect PFAS levels. The remaining waste water is flushed out of the system, requiring a separate GAC or IX treatment system before the waste water can be disposed of. Additionally, the RO-treated water requires remineralization prior to entering the distribution system. RO membranes can provide removal over a typical lifespan of 10 years before requiring replacement. RO has been found to remove both short- and long-chain PFAS compounds. According to the USEPA, RO has a maximum demonstrated removal rate of 99% of the PFAS6 compounds regulated by the new MCL.

The lead time for the PFAS vessels drives the critical path of the construction schedule regardless of media type. Manufacturers are quoting 24-40 week lead-times from approval of shop drawings. The procurement schedule for treatment equipment and building materials (e.g. Pre-engineered metal buildings) has grown over the course of 2021. The 24-40 week time frame does not include time for design, bidding, shop drawing review, or construction. An option for improving timeline for commissioning a long-term PFAS system is to pre-purchase the equipment.

In order to meet peak demands last summer without the Morses Pond WTP, the Town operated the existing MWRA interconnection at full capacity. Demands last summer were depressed by a combination of water conservation measures and unusually high precipitation. We expect that the summer of 2022 will be hotter and drier than 2021, which means the Town will be further challenged to meet peak summer demands without the Morses Pond WTP available to supplement supply.

Both GAC and IX have proven effective methods of PFAS treatment. While each water supply is unique, there are advantages and disadvantages to each treatment media. IX systems have smaller footprint than a comparable GAC system as they can handle higher loading rates (gallons per square foot) and have shorter contact times than GAC. IX media is more expensive to purchase and is currently considered one-time use and then it has to be removed/disposed, while GAC can be reactivated and reused. IX systems require additional pre-treatment considerations (e.g. dechlorination and bag filtration) as opposed to GAC systems.

RO is a viable treatment option for PFAS removal. RO requires additional pre-treatment/pumping/post-treatment systems and has higher capital/O&M costs than IX/GAC systems. RO also produces a highly concentrated PFAS waste stream that requires special handling and disposal considerations. This would not be the most sustainable option for the Town. 

The accepted laboratory testing method (Method 537.1) can detect a suite of 18 PFAS compounds. Adsorption media such as GAC and IX have proven effective at treating PFAS compounds from this analyte list.

Based upon current regulations PFAS GAC and IX media, expended media is not considered hazardous waste; however, the regulatory environment regarding PFAS is evolving and environmental service providers have indicated that they manage PFAS waste similar hazardous substances in terms of disposal in landfills or incinerators. Reactivation of GAC media is an option. IX resin is currently considered single-use.

GAC is commonly used to remove other contaminants of concern in drinking water such as taste and odor compounds, disinfection by-product precursors, volatile organic compounds, naturally occurring organic matter. Public water systems have been required to test for other unregulated contaminants as part of the UCMR process.

Regarding disposal, the spent carbon media can be reactivated by heating at high temperatures, which breaks up the PFAS molecules and restores the pores in the spent GAC. The reactivated media can be reused for treatment, which saves money and reduces the environmental impact. Typically, the replacement media will include mostly regenerated media and a portion of virgin media (approximately 80% and 20%, respectively). Calgon Carbon is one of the primary GAC suppliers in the area and they have an overview of the process on their website: https://www.calgoncarbon.com/reactivation-services/

Calgon also has an FAQ sheet on their website: https://www.calgoncarbon.com/app/uploads/Reactivation_Services_FAQ.pdf

There’s no direct way to piggy back on Natick’s PFAS treatment since we have no pipe that goes from their location to ours. However, we do have the ability to interconnect with Natick at other locations for emergency purposes. Prior to finding elevated PFAs levels at Morses Pond we explored the opportunity for Natick to take water from Wellesley’s system.. We found that the pressure differences between our two systems were incompatible and it would take a lot of effort and new equipment to make such an interconnection feasible. Another factor to overcome is that the chemical differences between our water supplies would create some potentially unpleasant characteristics (e.g., dis-colored water) that might require additional treatment. For these reasons, we decided to not pursue establishing a more permanent connection.

We are in regular contact with our colleagues in Natick (and other towns) and will be paying close attention to the performance of their system.  We also continue to work together to assist each other whenever possible.

Interim PFAS treatment will include the following components:

• Bag filtration for solids removal;
• GAC filtration for dechlorination; and
• IX filtration for PFAS removal.

A GAC filtration system will require significantly more equipment and footprint for interim treatment. In this case, the equivalent amount of GAC vessels would require four semi-trailers instead of two.

The interim system has been sized to treat the maximum amount of water (1 million gallons per day [MGD]) that the Morses Pond wells can pump given the additional hydraulic constraints imposed by the additional treatment equipment. The interim treatment media (GAC/IX) are estimated to last more than 16 months based on current PFAS levels and proposed system flow rate (1 MGD). The current cost to purchase water from the MWRA is $4,000 per 1 million gallons. There is both a cost savings component and a demand component of the interim solution that will benefit the Town. There are times during peak demand that the MWRA system will be at maximum pumping capacity and we will still need the additional million gallon supply to meet the system demand.  

The interim system could be procured under an extended rental agreement or the Town could opt to purchase the interim system so that it could be deployed at the Town’s other well fields if needed. Purchasing the equipment is not a guaranteed option.

The GAC vessels would be sized for a minimum of 1 year. The pre-selection process would include a provision for the GAC vendor to conduct testing to confirm GAC estimated lifespan so we can use that information in final design. Ideally we will have a GAC system design that provides for 14-18 months so GAC reactivation is on a regular schedule once every 2 years, but the rapid small scale column test results will help inform that design. PFAs levels will be monitored before and after the filters to determine when the filters are approaching breakthrough

Our current MWRA connection provides a maximum of 4.2MGD.  Current max day demand is over 6MGD, so our existing connection cannot meet demand in the peak use months.  We count on our Morses Pond Treatment Plant as our largest local source to help meet that demand.  Also, MWRA water is much more expensive than our locally produced water and rate increases will be needed for additional amounts of MWRA water used.  This is especially true in the non-peak months because of the cost.  In the summer, our peak rates are designed to cover the added costs of MWRA water. 

Basically, the Morses Pond Treatment Plan produces 1 to 1.4 MGD and the premium for MWRA water is about $2,500/MG.   So, 1MGD x $2,500 x 30 days = $75,000 per month at a minimum.  A reasonable estimate is that the added cost is about $1,000,000 per year. 

We propose renting this system.   We’ve looked at a purchase option but decided that renting was more prudent since it produces a waste stream that might be more difficult (and more expensive) to deal with if we owned versus rent.

If we purchase an interim system it could be re-deployed.  However, without knowing how long it would be out of service between uses it is unknown what kind of performance we would get. Also, since it has not yet been determined what will happen at the other plants it seemed that renting would be preferable.  Also, we propose doing the interim solution as a demonstration test.   We expect it to be successful, but until that data is in we felt more comfortable with a rental option.

If purchased, a system could be sold or loaned to others especially in the current market.  We don’t have any good data on the potential residual value or the complexity of resale of this type of equipment but they are certainly in high demand these days.

The 3 to 5 year estimate is a conservative estimate due to the regulatory, design, and construction requirements that are likely to be involved.

This evaluation would require further study to analyze the regulatory, design, construction, operation and maintenance costs. The costs associated with MWRA option include expansion in water use (MWRA charges approximately $4.4M for each million gallons per day in capacity for new water system members), infrastructure improvement costs (interconnecting community and within Wellesley), and increased water rates 

The MWRA water system currently has access to a safe yield of approximately 300 million gallons per day and its current water customers utilize approximately 200 million gallons per day. 

Maximum pumping is about 3,000 gallons per minute or 4.3 MG per day.  This is due to the physical limitations of the piping, pumps and other equipment in the station.  

If something were to go wrong with the supply line or the station itself (power outage, pipe break, other failure) we would have no water if our existing three treatment plants were not available.  We spend a lot of time planning redundancy and resiliency in our system.  Our MWRA Pump Station has 2 pumps and a backup generator to handle more routine interruptions.  Still, a serious or catastrophic failure to our station or the MWRA supply line would leave us with no water if this were our only source.   We do have inter-connections to our neighbors for use in an emergency but there is no guarantee that they will be able to provide us water.  For example, we contacted Weston this past summer to see if they could supply us with water but they were not able to do so due to their own constraints.

We think so.  This is something that we have been working on with the MWRA since 2019.  We have made many improvements to our connection over the years including redundant pumps. However, we believe that a separate entry point should be developed so that if anything ever happened to the station we could still draw MWRA water.  The MWRA has been working with us on developing concepts that could be pursued.  We’re still years away from any type of solution, which is currently being viewed by us and the MWRA as a potential regional solution for Wellesley and neighboring towns.   

An Abuse Prevention Order, called a "209A order," a "protective order," or a "restraining order," is a civil court order intended to provide protection from physical or sexual harm caused by force or threat of harm from a family or household member. You can obtain an order against:

• A spouse or former spouse
• A present or former household member
• A relative by blood or a present or former relative by marriage 
• The parent of your minor child
• A person with whom you have or had a substantial dating relationship

A 209A order can be obtained in any District Court, Superior Court, or Probate and Family Court in Massachusetts. An emergency 209A order can be obtained through any police department after court hours, on weekends and holidays. You do not need a lawyer to file for a 209A Order and there is no charge for filing. An emergency 209A order will only be valid until the next business day at which time a victim has to appear in District Court to extend the order.

Should you decide to go to a District Court for a 209A order, you may go to the District Court in the area where you live or, if you have fled to another area to avoid abuse, you may go to the District Court in the area where you now live.

Go to the Clerk’s Office in the court and ask for a "protective order" or a "209A order." You will receive a packet of forms to complete as an application for a protective order.

In some courts, there may be a Court Advocate from a local battered women’s service agency to help you with the form. A Victim/Witness Advocate from the District Attorney’s Office is also usually available for assistance and to discuss the option of filing criminal charges against your abuser. Ask someone at the Clerk’s Office to direct you to the District Attorney’s Victim/ Witness Office for help. You do not have to file criminal charges in order to obtain a 209A order. However, criminal charges can be helpful in holding a batterer responsible for criminal acts committed against you. If there is a criminal violation, the Court can also require a batterer to obtain counseling or other treatment.

You may download an application (PDF)) or apply for your license online through the MIRCS Firearm Licensing Portal. Applicants can stop by the Wellesley Police Department at any time to drop off their paper application and paperwork. First time applicants will be contacted by the records manger to schedule an appointment for fingerprints after their application is received. 

Same material as listed in the application requirements section of the Firearms Licensing page except for the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) certified safety course certificate and fingerprints.

Older style, expired licenses which do not end in “A” or “B” require fingerprints and a new safety course class must be completed.

Renewals issued from jurisdictions outside of Wellesley must supply a valid copy of the firearms training certificate.

The same requirements as listed for license to carry (LTC) listed in the application requirements section on the Firearms Licensing page except: 

• Applicants must be 18 or those 15 to 18 must provide letter from a parent or guardian granting permission to apply for a FID Card
• Licenses are valid for 6 years from date of issue
• Letter to chief is not required

• Restricted for purchase and possession of chemical sprays only (for example: mace or pepper spray)
• Applicants must be 18 or those 15 to 18 must provide a letter from a parent of guardian granting permission to apply for the card
• Fee is $25 for first card, renewals are free
• Licenses are valid for 6 years from date of issue
• Safety course not required

Yes, you must complete the Change of Address Notification Form or Name Change Request Form and follow its instructions or conduct the request online through the MIRCS Firearm Licensing Portal. 

You must notify the following agencies within 30 days:

• The issuing department
• The department where you are moving to
• Firearms Records Bureau
  200 Arlington Street
  Suite 2200
  Chelsea, MA 02150

You can email Deputy Chief Jeffrey Renzella of the Firearms Licensing Unit or call him at 781-235-1212.

Further information about firearms laws is available on the Massachusetts government website.

Last summer we used more MWRA water which is more expensive than our local sources and the rate increase is needed to pay for that water. We had to use MWRA water because we shut down the Morses Pond Treatment Plant (Wellesley’s most productive local source) due to elevated levels of PFAS.

Also, we sold less water due to conservation measures and wet weather last year. The rate increase is needed to make up for some of that lost revenue.

The most effective way to lower your water bill is to use less water. The Water division has partnered with the EPA’s WaterSense program to help provide guidance to customers on ways to reduce their water use.  Efficient indoor and outdoor water use tips can be found on our website.

Maximizing use of our local water sources is the best way to help keep rates down. The Water division is working to get the Morses Treatment Plant back online as our local sources are about half as expensive as purchasing water through the MWRA. We are taking advantage of grants and interests-free loans wherever possible. For example, in FY22, the Water division made use of $1.5M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to pay for interim PFAS treatment and a $150K grant from the Clean Water Trust. Also, authorization to receive another $2.5M of interest-free loans was approved at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting and will be used to fund distribution system improvements.

July 2011

There is currently no additional rate increase anticipated this year. Any potential increase next year will depend heavily on this year’s water use.

For the average residential customer that uses 10ccf per month, the expected impact is $195 per year.

Sewer rates are increasing 4% to cover rising costs in our MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resource Authority) assessment.

July 2020

There is currently no additional rate increase anticipated this year. Typically, MWRA costs increase about 4% each year.

For the average residential customer that uses 10ccf per month, the expected impact is $46 per year.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has long been responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving the Town’s drainage system, which includes 130 miles of pipeline and thousands of catch basins, manholes, and water quality treatment practices. A well-functioning drainage system keeps roads passable and protects public health and private property. In the last 20 years, the stormwater program has expanded to include water quality considerations under the Clean Water Act. In the immediate future, the program will need to evolve to address the impacts of climate change according to the Town’s Climate Action Plan. The stormwater management program has historically been funded through the General Fund (tax revenue). 

A stormwater utility that generates revenue through fees is a more equitable way to pay for this necessary work. A stormwater utility is similar to water and sewer utilities, which allocates costs based on the amount of use. In this case, use is measured by the amount of impervious area (IA). An Enterprise Fund allows revenue to be collected from all properties (including tax-exempt) and applied directly to stormwater-specific costs.

Revenue from the Stormwater Utility funds all aspects of the stormwater management program including administration, regulatory compliance, drainage system operation & maintenance, and capital projects. A well-functioning drainage system keeps roads passable and protects public health and private property. The stormwater utility provides sufficient funding to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual permit requirements; this includes increased costs to significantly reduce phosphorous in stormwater runoff discharging to the Charles River. For current information on steps the Town is taking to address permit requirements and mitigate stormwater pollution, visit MS4 Permit. In the immediate future, the program will also need to evolve to address the impacts of climate change according to the Town’s Climate Action Plan.

Advantages of a Stormwater Utility Fee include:

• Sustainable – dedicated, stable revenue source
• Equitable – distributed to all non-municipal property owners and based on stormwater impact versus property value
• Flexible – Enterprise will fund all aspects of the stormwater management program
• Credit policy – The stormwater utility provides opportunities for credits, which provide a financial incentive for stormwater improvements on private property. These improvements have a positive impact on water quality, flooding, and maintenance requirements in the Town’s drainage system.

All stormwater runoff in Wellesley eventually makes its way to the Charles River.  On the way there, it may pass through any number of brooks, streams, wetlands, groundwater, and ponds. Any pollution within the stormwater runoff is transported and concentrated in these waterbodies, causing major impairments that can impact human, pet, and wildlife health and safety, as well as degrade recreational opportunities and enjoyment of the environment. Every two years the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection publishes an Integrated List of Waters, which identifies waterbodies that are failing to meet minimum state standards for water quality; pollutants from stormwater runoff have been identified as the number one cause of failure.

Impervious Surface, as defined in Wellesley’s Zoning Bylaw, is “material covering the ground, including but not limited to macadam, cement, concrete, pavement, and buildings, that does not allow surface water to penetrate into the soil.” This includes walkways, pools, and rooftops. The measurement of this surface is referred to as “impervious area” (IA). Cumulatively, more impervious area causes less groundwater infiltration and increased stormwater runoff (volume and rate of runoff) that is also more polluted and warmer. This harms our wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds.

Fees are determined based on the amount of impervious area on a parcel. The median impervious area of all Single Family Residential (SFR) parcels in Wellesley is 3,100 square feet. One equivalent residential unit (ERU) is represented by this median value of 3,100 square feet. The total ERUs in town was determined in combination with estimated revenue requirements to develop a cost per ERU. The fee does not consider the percentage of  imperviousness on a parcel. SFR parcels will be billed a tiered flat fee and Non Single Family Residential (NSFR) properties will be billed proportionally to their impervious area. For proportional fees, a given parcel is divided by the impervious area in one ERU (3,100 ft2) to determine a rounded, whole number of ERUs on the parcel.   Please visit the Wellesley  Stormwater Utility Fee Property Viewer to zoom in to individual addresses and see impervious area mapping and fee calculation. 

Wellesley’s fee is in the upper range of stormwater fees in Massachusetts. This is because Wellesley made the policy decision to fully fund the stormwater program with the Enterprise Fund, including administrative and overhead costs. Many towns only fund permit compliance costs. Additionally, Wellesley is in the Charles River Watershed and is subject to more stringent requirements to reach phosphorus reduction targets.

No this is a separate enterprise fund and does not impact existing utilities.

Bills will be sent monthly with water, sewer, and electric use bills.

Fees will be calculated for the parcel and will be billed to the property owner.

The fee will be calculated for the parcel, including common area and private roads. An utility bill will be sent to the central homeowners association. 

The best way to reduce the Stormwater fee is to reduce impervious area. However, all property owners will also be eligible for credits and abatements. 

Examples of common concerns in billing include property has the incorrect amount of impervious area, property is in the incorrect billing tier, or bill was sent to an incorrect owner. To apply for a review of the property or billing, submit an Abatement application located under Credit & Abatements. For additional information regarding how the billing was calculated, please use the Stormwater Property Viewer to view details on individual properties.

In-Home Lead Testing for Residents

The Town of Wellesley participates in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) monitoring program. As part of this program, we collect water samples from 30 or more representative homes throughout town during each required monitoring period to ensure the public water system meets all state and federal lead standards.  The results of these tests can be found in our Consumer Confidence Report.  

In addition, the Town participates in free lead testing at schools and certain public facilities, in coordination with MassDEP.

At this time, the Town does not offer free in-home lead testing for individual residences outside of these required monitoring programs.

Residents who would like to have their home’s drinking water tested for lead may do so by using a MassDEP-certified drinking water laboratory. Certified labs can provide sampling bottles, instructions, pricing, and interpretation of results. A current list of certified laboratories is available on this webpage.

Testing is optional and at the homeowner’s expense, but it can provide useful information—particularly for homes with older plumbing or unknown service line materials.

Click here for a list of DEP certified labs.

A water service line is the piping between the main water line in the street and a  building. The piping typically has a section from the main to the curb box (corp-to-curb) that is owned by the Town and a section from the curb box to the building (curb-to-structure) that is owned by the property owner. 

The EPA recently directed all water utilities in the United States to prepare an inventory of all water service line materials, for both the customer-owned portion and the town-owned portions of the service line pipe. The EPA’s regulations are intended to improve decrease the risk of lead exposure by identifying lead service lines and expediting their removal from drinking water systems nationwide.

The Town of Wellesley is proactively developing a comprehensive inventory of our entire distribution network.  We are employing a range of methods to investigate and verify service line materials, including a review of historical records and field investigations from test pits.

Under the new regulations, public water systems are required to notify customers served by a service line that has been classified as lead, galvanized-requiring replacement or unknown within 30 days of submitting their initial inventory. 

If you have received such a letter, it has been determined that we do not have complete information about the service line material that delivers water to your property. This does not mean that we believe your service line is made of lead, but rather records do not exist, or have not been located yet, that confirms its material. We will continue efforts to identify and verify every service line throughout our entire water distribution system and update the inventory as data is collected.  

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Galvanized service lines are steel pipes that have been dipped in a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust. Galvanized piping was commonly installed in older homes and was used as an alternative to lead pipes for water supply lines.

Galvanized lines that are or were downstream of a lead source such as a lead service line can contribute to lead in drinking water by capturing lead particles released from upstream sources. The lead can be released into the drinking water through water quality changes or disturbances of these pipes.

Under the new regulations, galvanized service lines that are or may have previously been downstream of a lead service line are classified as "galvanized-requiring replacement." Public water systems are required to notify customers served by a service line that has been classified as lead, galvanized-requiring replacement or unknown.

It may be that the material used to construct your service line has already been determined as non-lead through the town’s review of records or field verification process. Your neighbor’s service line may still be classified as unknown or has been determined to be a lead or galvanized-requiring replacement service line.

Under the new regulations, public water systems are not required to provide letters to properties determined to have non-lead service lines are not required. 

The revised rule requires the town to classify the entire service line as "unknown" if the material of at least one of the service line segments, the town-owned or the customer-owned, is unknown. Until now, we have not been required to have records on the customer’s side of the meter. We are actively working to obtain information about all service lines in our networks using a range of methods to investigate and verify service line materials, including a review of historical records and field investigations from test pits. Please assist our data collection by using the QR code previously noted to submit a photo of your service line material inside your home.

While the town is responsible for any lead service line from the water main to the curb box (see diagram) the town is not responsible for the service line from the curb box to your home.  However, because of the dangers to human health that lead presents, if it is determined that you have a lead service line the town will work with you to remove and replace it free of charge.

While the risk of exposure to lead from drinking water is extremely low in Wellesley, we believe that our customers should still be aware of these risks, and how to reduce the risk of exposure regardless of where their drinking comes from.

Lead can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. Lead exposure via drinking water can negatively impact health across all age groups. Young children, infants, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to lead because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children than in adults. Children of women exposed to lead before or during pregnancy, and infants and children directly exposed to lead can experience decreases in IQ and attention span and new or exacerbated learning and behavioral problems. Adults may experience increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems.

• Have your water tested.  Click here for a list of DEP certified labs.
• Always use fresh, cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.  Running the water for 30 seconds or more before using it can flush out contaminants that leach out of your pipes that could accumulate during long periods when the water is not in use.
• Never use hot water from the faucet for drinking or cooking, especially when making baby formula or food for infants. Hot water can leach more lead into water than cold.  Boiling water does not remove or reduce your potential exposure to lead.
• If you are still concerned about your drinking water, you can also use a water filter that is certified by the NSF or UL for lead removal.        Water filters can be added to existing plumbing after your meter, under your sink or used as a pitcher.        
• Be aware of places in your home where you may find lead. Some household items such as pottery, makeup, toys, and jewelry may contain lead. Lead paint has been illegal since 1978, but paint, soil, and dust from homes that still have lead paint are the most common source of exposure to lead. Make sure to wash your children's hands and toys often if they touch dirt or dust containing lead.

For additional information on how you can reduce your exposure to lead you can visit:

Lead in Drinking Water | Mass.gov

Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water | US EPA

List of DEP certified labs

Or please contact the Wellesley Board of Health.

For any questions related to the town’s drinking water please see the most recent copy of the town’s consumer confidence report or use the contact information provided below.

Email: dpw@wellesleyma.gov

Phone: 781-235-7600 X3355

Federal regulations require public water systems to:

• Identify the material of both the public and private portions of every water service line
• Notify customers of the current status of that information
• Clearly communicate when additional verification or replacement may be needed

These letters are informational and part of a required inventory process.

If Your Letter Says “Galvanized Requiring Replacement”

This means:

• Your service line includes galvanized metal piping
• While galvanized pipe itself is not lead, it can absorb and release lead if it was ever connected to lead plumbing in the past
• Under federal rules, these lines are classified as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR)”
• In some cases, a GRR letter may also indicate that the material of the public-side service line has not yet been fully verified.  If after investigation, the public side of your service is deemed to be non-lead your service line may not need replacement.

Important notes:

• This classification does not mean lead has been found in your water
• It reflects a precautionary designation required by the EPA
• Replacement is recommended to ensure long-term water quality protection

This means:

• The Water Department does not yet have enough documentation or field verification to confirm the service line material
• Older records may be incomplete, or access may not yet have been available

What happens next:

• The Town will continue record review, inspections, and field verification
• Property owners may be contacted in the future to help confirm materials
• No immediate action is required unless you are contacted directly

No.

At this time:

• No lead service lines have been identified in the Wellesley water system
• No letters are being sent stating that a service line is made of lead

The inventory process is ongoing, but based on extensive records, inspections, and historical construction standards, the Town does not believe lead service lines exist in Wellesley.

If you are a tenant:

• Your landlord may receive this letter on your behalf
• The letter is meant to be shared with occupants
• The notice is informational and does not indicate an emergency

Does Wellesley have an all night parking ban?

Yes.  Motor vehicles may not be parked on any public way in the town of Wellesley from 2AM until 5AM.  Those that are parked on the street will receive a parking ticket.  This parking ban  also includes the Town of Wellesley parking lots, and is clearly posted on signs entering the lots. 

Town of Wellesley Parking Lots:

Weston Road at Washington Street

Washington Street at Cameron Street

Linden Street at Hollis Street

Church Street at Waban Street

I received a parking ticket. How do I pay it, or how do I appeal it?

Parking tickets are handled through the Town Hall, Office of the Parking Clerk at 781-431-1019 ext. 2296. Payments must be made within 21 days to the parking clerk, or additional fines will be posted. You cannot pay a ticket at the police station. Appeals can also be made through the parking clerk.

I received a traffic (motor vehicle) citation. How do I pay it, or how do I appeal it?

The back of the citation contains all the information regarding payment and appeal information. You have the right to request a hearing, but you must do so within 20 days of the offense. After that time, you will be responsible for paying the full amount. All appeals for motor vehicle citations are conducted at the Dedham District Court House, 631 High Street, Dedham. Notification of the hearing date will be via mail and handled through the Dedham District Court.

 Non-payment of traffic citations will result in your license or right to operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts being suspended or revoked.  These are arrestable offenses! 

Are door-to-door sales regulated in Wellesley?

Yes, door to door sales for profit are strictly regulated by the Town of Wellesley. Non profit sales are not regulated.

Do I need a license or permit?

Yes, a person may obtain a state hawker peddler license from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation or a hawker peddler license from the Town of Wellesley.

How do I obtain a license from the Town of Wellesley?

Applicants fill out an application obtained from the police department. If the applicant is a not a fugitive or a convicted felon they can be licensed.

What is the fee for a license?

$62.00

How long is the license good for?

Two years.

Are there restrictions on where or when someone can sell?

Yes, sales are not permitted prior to 8 am or after 5 pm. Sales are also prohibited on Sundays and legal holidays. No sales may be conducted on property marked “No Soliciting.” or otherwise posted in a similar manner.

Are there other requirements?

Yes, licensees must display their license on their outer garment while they are selling and they must show it to a police officer upon demand.

What happens if I violate any the restrictions?

Violators may be arrested, fined up to $300, and they may have their licenses suspended or revoked.

The Town is actively planning for the future in a number of synergistic areas, and housing must be analyzed and developed in conjunction and in a complementary manner to the existing plans. This work is begin done in collaboration with consultants from Barrett Planning Group.  The consultants need to evaluate and consider the interrelationship between and among the following (which is not an exhaustive list):

• The Climate Action Plan;
• The Sustainable Mobility Plan;
• Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan;
• Current land use regulations;
• The successful implementation of the 2018 Housing Production Plan;
• Successes and remaining objectives from the 2019 Unified Plan;
• The MBTA Communities Act;
• Recent zoning amendments;
• Factors affecting economic growth (labor force, employment base and housing market);
• School enrollment and projections; and
• Consideration of  fair housing issues.

The Wellesley Housing Task Force (HTF) is a communications channel and an advisory group with staff and board/committee representatives from the Select Board, Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee, the Housing Authority, Wellesley Housing Development Corporation, and Building a Better Wellesley. The HTF is a staff-appointed working group, convened by the Executive Director. As a staff appointed working group, the HTF is not subject to the open meeting law and does not post agendas or minutes. 

The group brings together the elected and appointed bodies within Wellesley’s decentralized Town Government structure that are involved in matters affecting housing or the production of housing. The HTF allows for round table-style discussions and updates on each board or committee’s pending projects.

The HTF takes no formal actions; every issue the HTF addresses is discussed by the entire group, not directed by a single constituency, board, interest group, or staff member. Any feedback, action or direction suggested by the HTF must ultimately be supported and implemented by the voting membership of an elected or appointed board/committee/commission, who then direct Town staff to execute as determined. The HTF does not include a quorum of any elected or appointed body. The housing advocacy group Building a Better Wellesley sought to join the HTF discussions in order to bring the ADU bylaw to 2024 Annual Town Meeting.  

Typical round table discussion topics for the HTF may include:

• Board and Committee plan updates, such as the Climate Action Plan, Sustainable Mobility Plan, or Hazard Mitigation Plan, each of which have interrelated issues with housing; 
• Compliance with MBTA Community Zoning 
• Wellesley Housing Development Corporation (WHDC) updates on various initiatives including the implications of the 2022 Wellesley Housing Market Study and updates on potential development by the WHDC of affordable housing units such as the home at 156 Weston Road;
• Zoning Updates such as  inclusionary zoning, MBTA Communities Act compliance, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw, and preliminary feedback on projects seeking rezoning;
• Work Plan Items - current or future workplan items affecting housing 
• Affordable Housing Policies – Fair Housing and Town Meeting Affordable Housing Policy 
• Grants/Designations – Housing Choice Designation and related issues; and
• Wellesley Housing Authority Updates

The HTF issued a  Request for Proposal (RFP) for a consultant to develop the Strategic Housing Plan.  Four consultants applied, the HTF interviewed three, and determined that due to the length and breadth of her housing plan experience and housing expertise throughout the Commonwealth, Judi Barrett and the Barrett Group were the consultants who both understood the Town’s objectives most clearly and were the best choice to conduct a community-wide conversation regarding these issues.   

Through public participation in meetings, online surveys and polls, small-group interviews, and other means, the consultants will perform a comprehensive study and articulate the following:           

• Housing outcomes desired in the community - can we articulate a community housing mission?
• Changes the community would like to see in local housing options;
• A current housing needs assessment;
• Identification of all town resources - real property, stakeholders, staff, etc.;
• The most effective methods to  to fully deploy the resources;
• Metrics  to define goals in attainable, measurable ways;
• Logical steps to implementation and responsible staff/board members; and
• Tools to evaluate the process at every step.

Through this process, the Town will be prepared for and have strategies in place to guide future housing development that will meet the needs of ALL residents who desire to live here. 

The two most effective ways to stay informed are below.

1. Visit the  Barrett Planning Group interactive website: https://bpg.mysocialpinpoint.com/wellesleyshp

The website  includes background information on the SHP, the project, the process, and the timeline; a video of the public presentation from the first meeting on June 18, 2024; an explanation and poll opportunity from the six public input stations at the June 18 meeting.   

2.  Subscribe to News emails from the Town: www.wellesleyma.gov 

On the Town of Wellesley website homepage, click on the blue “Subscribe to News” button. Enter your email address and scroll to the “News Flash” section.  Check the box that says “Strategic Housing Plan” and follow the instructions to subscribe. You'll receive an email asking you to verify your subscription. Once done, you will receive news flash notices directly in your inbox. 

The easiest trail is the Brook Path, which follows the Caroline and Fuller Brooks.  It is an ADA-compliant, stone-dust path which parallels Washington Street and is easily accessible from the multiple cross streets.  The Longfellow Pond Trail is another easy trail, which circles this scenic pond in our Town Forest.  Other easy trails are listed online under Suggested Walks.

The Brook Path and the Longfellow Pond Trail are easy trails and great for kids.  We also recommend the Centennial Reservation Trail for a hike up to the top of Maugus Hill for a view of the Blue Hill, the Morses Pond Trail to the town beach and then continuing along the Crosstown Trail to view the pond, and the Boulder Brook Trail for a hike to the top of Rocky Ledges.

Most of the interconnecting trails are suitable for jogging.  The Brook Path and trails along the aqueducts provide level surfaces with good footing, and the Guernsey Path and Beard Trail also provide good jogging routes.  If you enjoy long jogs, take the Wellesley Grand Tour, a 10.8 mile loop using all five of our interconnecting trails.

Maps and guides are available online, at map dispensers located at trail parking lots and trailheads, in the west lobby of Town Hall and at the Town Clerk’s Office.  You can get trail maps for all the town trails and detailed trail maps for Boulder Brook Reservation, Centennial Reservation, Morses Pond and the Town Forest.

With an early awareness of the importance of protecting our natural resources and careful town planning, Wellesley has 2,700 acres of open space. We are also fortunate to have two aqueducts running through town that serve as interconnecting greenways, along with a historic linear park. As a result we have 46 miles of trails in Town, and 28 miles are marked with trail markers.

There are fourteen trails in Wellesley, and most likely there is a trail near your home, school or business.  We have ten woodland trails that go through conservation lands, parks and open space, and five interconnecting trails that run along aqueducts, parks and roads.

The shortest trail, the Rockridge Pond Trail, is 0.4 miles long and is a pleasant walk around the edge of this scenic pond.  Our longest trail, the Crosstown Trail, is 6.2 miles long and runs along the Cochituate Aqueduct from the east to the west side of town.

Come on one of our free guided walks.  We run walks in the spring and fall.  The walks are at an easy pace, less than two miles long, and last about one hour.  Look for walk schedules on our website, announcements in the Townsman's Community Bulletin Board, and fliers posted on our map houses.

Yes, dogs are welcomed on our trails.  The dog can be off-leash if under voice control by the owner.  We encourage walkers to pick up after their dogs and properly dispose of the waste.  Remember that the town has a restriction on the number of dogs on conservation land:  No more than two dogs per person, or three dogs with a permit.

Yes, our trails are used by bicyclists for recreation and commuting, and by children going to school.  The most popular bicycling trail, and frequently used by families, is the Brook Path because of its level surface.  Note that all motorized use of the trails on open space lands is prohibited.

The Brook Path, the lower meadows at Centennial Reservation, and trails along the aqueducts are ideal for cross-country skiing.  The section of the Crosstown Trail from Weston Road to Rt. 9 is a favorite, with scenic views of Morses Pond and only two road crossing. The Guernsey Path from the trailhead at Winding River Road to the Nehoiden Golf Course is another picturesque trail with only one road crossing.

Please report trail problems to the Natural Resources Commission Office.  Call us at 781-431-1019, extension 2294, or email us at trails@wellesleyma.gov.

Please come to one of our monthly trails meetings, meet our committee members, and learn about our projects and plans. We are a volunteer town committee, and welcome people who would like to join the Trails Committee to help us monitor and maintain the trails.  Not interested in becoming a committee member?  Then consider joining the Friends of Wellesley Trails to help us with events and projects and contact us at trails@wellesleyma.gov.

When a speeding concern is brought to the Traffic Safety Group’s attention, staff first review available speed data and crash history for the roadway. If the 85th percentile speed indicates that drivers are traveling above the speed limit, the Traffic Safety Group may deploy a temporary speed feedback trailer. These trailers are effective at increasing driver awareness in residential neighborhoods and reducing speeding, particularly when rotated between locations.

If speeding concerns persist, targeted police enforcement may be conducted as resources allow. The Traffic Safety Group will also review roadway characteristics and consider low cost measures such as pavement markings and appropriate advisory signage for statutory speed limit roadways. If speeds remain high after these measures are implemented, more substantial infrastructure changes may be considered. Larger roadway modifications require further evaluation and must be incorporated into the Town’s capital plan for funding.

It is important to note that most roadways in Wellesley are governed by a statutory speed limit of 30 miles per hour, which can feel fast on residential streets, particularly for larger vehicles or vehicles equipped with snow tires.

Some roads have a regulatory speed limit indicated by posted white speed limit signs, while others are governed by a statutory speed limit. The majority of roadways in Wellesley fall under the statutory speed limit category.

To change a posted speed limit, a speed study must be conducted and submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Speed limits are typically set based on the 85th percentile speed, defined as the speed at or below which 85% of drivers are traveling. In some cases, this methodology can result in a higher posted speed limit on roads where speeding is already a concern.

Statutory speed limits are controlled by the legislature.  Under Massachusetts law, regulatory speed limit signs are not permitted on roadways governed by statutory speed limits. Instead, only advisory signage, such as “Thickly Settled” or “Business District” signs, may be used to inform drivers of the applicable statutory conditions.

Lowering the posted speed limit alone does not usually change driver behavior. A more effective approach is to change the roadway itself by incorporating permanent traffic calming features that encourage slower speeds, such as curb extensions or narrowed travel lanes.

Dynamic Speed Display Signs also referred to as radar speed signs or speed feedback signs are signs that measure vehicle speeds, typically using radar, and report the speed back to drivers.

Speed feedback signs can be an effective tool for reducing speeds when first installed. However, their effectiveness often diminishes over time as drivers become accustomed to the device. For this reason, the Traffic Safety Group generally recommends the use of speed feedback trailers or temporary pole mounted speed feedback signs on narrower roadways instead. These mobile speed feedback units can be rotated to different locations throughout town, which helps maintain driver awareness and serve as an effective traffic calming measure.

On high volume roads, permanent signs may be considered in limited circumstances, at:

• Locations with a documented history of speeding, higher crash rates, or where speed limits are frequently disregarded.
• School Zones 
• Gateway locations where there is a change in in the surrounding land use, or where pedestrian activity or complex intersections may not be readily expected by drivers.

Stop signs are used to control intersections and establish right of way. They are not intended to be used as a speed control measure. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requires that specific criteria be met before a stop sign is installed. When evaluating a request, the Traffic Safety Group considers factors such as traffic volumes, approach speeds, sight distance, crash history, and intersection geometry to determine whether a stop or yield sign is warranted.

Because stop and yield signs are regulatory traffic controls, they require approval by the Select Board, acting as the Road Commissioners for town-owned roadways. If the Traffic Safety Group determines that a stop or yield sign is appropriate, a recommendation will be made to the Select Board to amend the Town’s Traffic Regulations to include the new sign.  The Select Board, at a public meeting, will discuss and vote on the matter.

The Traffic Safety Group does not recommend the installation of convex mirrors for use on public streets.

Convex mirrors are commonly used to improve visibility for pedestrians and vehicles in a variety of areas including warehouses, driveways and parking areas. You may see convex mirrors installed in a few places in town.  Currently, there appears to be no research or documentation from any US state or federal government agencies including the Manual for Uniformed Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) regarding the use of convex mirrors within the public right-of-way.  While convex mirrors may be appropriate for some low speed applications, they are not appropriate for use in public ways because:  

• Mirrors do not function well at night, as they can be difficult to see and lights from vehicles reflect in different directions.
• Mirrors do not work in poor weather conditions, including rain, snow and ice events.
• Mirrors can be knocked out of alignment, due to high winds and other severe weather conditions. 
• Mirrors distort the image, speed and distance of the oncoming traffic and are difficult to use. 

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, commonly referred to as RRFBs, are pedestrian warning devices that display flashing yellow lights when activated by a pedestrian, either through a push button or motion detection. RRFBs are intended to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians and reinforce the requirement to yield. These devices are typically used at midblock crossings and in areas such as school zones or near parks.

It is important to note that RRFBs display yellow warning lights, not a red signal. Pedestrians, particularly children, should be reminded that RRFBs do not function like a traffic signal. Pedestrians should continue to make eye contact with approaching drivers and cross only when it is safe to do so.

When evaluating potential RRFB locations, the Traffic Safety Group considers factors such as crash history involving pedestrian or bicyclist conflicts, pedestrian volumes, traffic volumes and speeds, observed driver behavior, available gaps in traffic, and proximity to nearby crosswalks or existing RRFBs.

RRFB installations are reserved for locations with demonstrated pedestrian safety concerns and higher pedestrian activity. Overuse of RRFB treatments may reduce their effectiveness. In some cases, RRFB installations may require additional engineering analysis and may need to be incorporated into the Town’s capital plan for funding.

The Town does not generally support the use of speed humps or speed bumps on public roadways. While these treatments can reduce vehicle speeds, experience in other communities has shown that they may also lead to unintended consequences, including erratic driver behavior such as accelerating between them.

Speed humps can also create increased noise impacts and can be frustrating for immediate abutters who must drive over them repeatedly as part of daily travel. In addition, speed humps present significant roadway maintenance challenges, particularly in New England. Snow plowing, ice control, and pavement maintenance are more difficult and costly in areas where speed humps are installed, and these features can be damaged during winter operations.

Due to these operational, maintenance, and safety concerns, speed humps are typically not considered a viable long term solution. Other traffic calming measures that alter driver behavior and roadway design are often more effective and better suited for addressing speeding concerns.

 Warning signs can be effective when used sparingly and only to alert motorists to uncommon hazards that are not readily apparent. Because children live on nearly every residential street, this condition is not considered an uncommon hazard.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) does not include these types of signs, as there is no evidence that they influence driver behavior or provide traffic calming benefits. The Traffic Safety Group is mindful of sign fatigue and seeks to avoid overuse of nonstandard signs that could reduce the effectiveness of critical signage, such as crosswalk warnings.

Because the public has a right to travel on municipal roadways, these types of signs are unenforceable by the Police Department and may shift traffic to other neighborhoods. While cut-through traffic can result from temporary events such as crashes or short-term detours, longer term or large-scale construction related detours are reviewed by the Traffic Safety Group to evaluate traffic impacts and address effects on surrounding streets. 

These types of regulatory signs apply to all drivers including local residents and school buses. Periodic enforcement is essential to ensure continued compliance with the restriction. This option has major impacts on a neighborhood and its residents as it eliminates connectivity to surrounding roadways. It is also likely to shift traffic to adjacent neighborhoods. It should only be considered under certain circumstances, or when other options have been exhausted.   The Traffic Safety Group would conduct an engineering study to understand the root cause and to first identify other less invasive measures.  A measure such as this would require consultation and general consensus of the neighborhood as well as town departments.

1.  I received an excise tax bill but I no longer own the car.  What do I do?  You can file for an abatement with the Assessor’s office – 781-431-1049 ext. 2275 or email: assessor@wellesleyma.gov - if the bill was paid in full.  
2.  Why can’t I pay my excise tax bill on the town’s website?  Most likely the bill is overdue and has been sent to our deputy collector – Kelley & Ryan (www.kelleyryan.com)
3.  Can I pay my bill or parking ticket over the phone with a credit card?No.  We do not accept credit card payments here in the Treasurer’s office however, you can pay with a credit card on the Town’s website (www.wellesleyma.gov) 
4.  Can I pay my bill in cash?  Yes, but we prefer a check, if possible.  We do not accept credit cards in the Treasurer’s office. 
5.  How do I appeal a parking ticket?   There are instructions on the back of the ticket which will instruct you exactly how to appeal the fine.  Appeals MUST be submitted in writing to be reviewed.  
6.  What is a Preliminary Tax?   Preliminary tax bills are estimated bills.  The estimate is based on the actual net tax bill of the previous fiscal year.  The preliminary tax is due in two installments, August (1^st quarter) and November (2^nd quarter)
7.  What is an Actual Tax?  The actual tax is calculated by multiplying the new assessed value by the new tax rate, minus all payments received on the Preliminary tax and minus any exemptions.   The actual tax is due in two installments, February (3^rd quarter) and May (4^th quarter).
8.  I am the new owner of the property, why is the prior owner(s) name on my tax bill?  M.G.L. Chapter 59 Section 11 states the name of the owner of record as of January 1 will appear on the tax bill for the next fiscal year (4 bills per fiscal year). Although your name is in the care of line, you are the owner and are responsible for the property.

9.  How do I change the mailing address or my name on my Real Estate/Personal Property Bill?  All name and change of addresses must be submitted to the Assessors Office 781- 431-1019 ext. 2275 or email: assessor@wellesleyma.gov  

10. I received a Personal Property tax bill but no longer own the business or closed the business, who should I contact? Contact the Assessors Office at (781) 431-1019 ext. 2275. or email: assessor@wellesleyma.gov  
11.  Can I make partial payments on Real Estate/Personal Property?  Yes, partial payments are accepted for real estate or personal property.  They are NOT accepted for excise tax bills.  
12. What is an elderly, disability, blind, widow or veterans exemption?  The above exemptions are a reduction in a real estate tax due based on certain criteria and income requirements set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Contact Assessors Office at (781) 431-1019 ext. 2275 or email: assessor@wellesleyma.gov for exemption information.
13.  My Real Estate taxes are paid by my mortgage company, why am I getting the tax bill?   By M.G.L. Chapter 60: Section 3 all tax bills are mailed to the owner of the property, not the mortgage company to whom your taxes are escrowed with. 
14. What should I do in the event I do not receive my bill?  You should contact the Treasurer/Collector's Office at 781-431-1019 ext. 2266 or email treasurer@wellesleyma.gov to request a bill. It is the responsibility of the property owner to check on his/her tax bill when one is not received.

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