On Tuesday, September 8, the Metro West Regional Transit Authority's buses that  connects Wellesley to Newton and Natick will have a new schedule (new signage and bus number too).   

​Learn more about the newly numbered 201 bus which goes from Woodland Station to Natick Mall via Wellesley Square and Route 9, making stops at MassBay Wellesley, Babson College, Cross St., 9/27 Plaza, and MathWorks campuses 7 days a week.

Click here for the Metro West Regional Transit Authority bus tracker, routes, fares and click here and the map for Wellesley.

Join Green Newton for an afternoon of hands-on fun where science, sunshine, and s'mores come together!
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Kids will design and build their own solar ovens, then harness the sun's energy to make gooey, delicious s'mores. While the ovens do the work, children can enjoy clean-energy-themed games and activities, and parents can get inspired about practical tips on saving energy, lowering utility bills, and reducing their home's carbon footprint. To take this to the next level, Wellesley residents should contact a Wellesley Energy Coach for specifics on incentives here in town.

This engaging event is part of a series of fun, memorable ways to explore renewable energy and discover how the power of the sun can make a difference — in this case one s'more at a time.

See what a climate-friendly home looks like—through art.

Discover a striking public art installation that transforms home siding into a powerful visual story of how simple energy upgrades can dramatically reduce a home's carbon emissions. Inspired by research from MIT's Sustainable Design Lab, the installation shows the impact of adding insulation, installing efficient appliances, switching to heat pumps, and generating clean solar power—all on the path to a net-zero home.

Experience it at one of these nearby events:
Framingham Launch Event
Thursday, July 16
Framingham Centre Common, 2 Oak St.
Artist Talk
Tuesday, July 22 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Morse Institute Library, 14 E. Central St., Natick

​Come explore how art, science, and climate solutions come together to imagine a home for future generations. Every colorful shingle tells the story of emissions avoided—and the choices that help build a cleaner, healthier future.

Click to learn more about the artists Raquel Fornasaro and Julia Csekö.  

Nearly 200 Wellesley residents joined our ice cream social last month to learn about quieter lawn mowers, blowers, etc.., ways to get around town, what Wellesley Green Schools is working on, waste reduction tricks, composting info, how to protect our local watershed, met with energy coaches, signed up for home energy audits, all while enjoying J.P. Licks ice cream and meeting friends and neighbors.

Thanks to all who entered the raffle and though we only could gift to one winner - congrats Jayne - we hope you will all consider electric-powered lawn care equipment at your home.   Mass Save offers rebates when you switch to electric lawn equipment, or borrow your neighbors ;-). 

If you missed the event you can watch Wellesley Media's excellent coverage here. Of course if we can offer any information on any of the topics above, feel free to email us at info@SustainableWellesley.com.  Have suggestions on how we can improve for next year? Email us too!

A shout-out to the Swellesley Report  for breaking the news that Wellesley has received a $1 million grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources through the Climate Leader Communities program. The award will help fund solar panel installations at Hunnewell and Hardy Schools, reducing costs for taxpayers while advancing the town's clean energy goals. Of course big thanks to MA DER, our Town's Climate Action Committee, Sustainability Office, School Committee and the Municipal Light Plant for getting us here. 

The gas leak on Linden St. last week synchronized with this Boston Globe article. The article reports on a recent Boston University study of 195 homes in Massachusetts (2 of which were in Wellesley) and Rhode Island which found elevated indoor methane levels exceeding outdoor air in 93% of homes with gas piping. Some reached as high as 20 times above outdoor levels.  Levels in all-electric homes were not elevated.  An active gas leak was identified in 91% of homes with gas piping.  Unburned methane gas contains benzene, a known carcinogen, for which there are no safe limits.  
 
The article omitted a few concerning details including the fact that even those who have good senses of smell many times can not detect the leaks because most people get habituated to the smell of their home.
 
They also didn't mention the fact that not all are able to replace their gas stoves or other appliances. Note that there are steps you can take to mitigate your risk including using a Portable Induction Cooktop and/or borrow one from Wellesley Free Library!.
 
If you are concerned about gas, gas leaks and health there are more articles are below.

We share this news as it trends with many newer/renovated buildings in Wellesley that have no gas including Hunnewell and Hardy schools, Town Hall and the Warren Center, The 9s and Fieldstone Way and others. We encourage moving away from building with unhealthy, dangerous and costly fossil fuels.
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• Gas stoves nearly DOUBLE children’s cancer risk (Stanford)
• Poor air quality from burning fossil fuels is associated with higher rates of DISEASE AND DEATH throughout MA  (Boston College)
• Gas stoves leak EVEN WHEN NOT TURNED ON (Stanford) and leak dangerous amounts of cancer causing BENZENE. (Stanford) 
• Gas stoves emit dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and benzene, producing poor air quality at levels surpassing outdoor limits mandated under the Clean Air Act. (RMI)
• Gas stoves are attributable to 15% of childhood asthma, EQUAL TO HAVING A SMOKER IN THE HOME. (RMI)

3 important issues to consider calling/writing legislators about.

1) Amendment #105 to S3064: Grants and Loans for Green Landscaping. CALL TODAY!

This amendment, filed by Representative Michelle Ciccolo of Lexington, creates a state grant and zero-interest loan program to help small landscaping businesses and municipalities replace gas-powered landscaping equipment with quieter, cleaner electric alternatives.

The amendment would:

• Appropriate $50 million to establish and operate the Low Noise, Low Emissions Landscape Maintenance Equipment Trust Fund
• Require recipients to trade in gas-powered equipment on a one-for-one basis.
• Create a dedicated trust fund managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
• Allow funds to carry over from year to year without reverting to the General Fund.
• Require annual reporting to the Legislature on fund expenditures and program activities.
• Provide grants and 0% interest loans for:
  • Purchasing electric landscaping equipment.
  • Training employees to use and maintain the equipment.
  • Covering transition-related operating costs.
  • Other approved expenses associated with switching from gas-powered equipment.

2) Mass Ready Act
Here is a message from Gavi Grappo, a 17-year-old with overwhelming concerns about global warming and our environment. Addressing the plastics crisis is important to him because it affects human health, all species of animals & insects, our environment, and our symbiotic relationship with nature's resources. Thus, he is championing the Mass Ready Act (S. 3050) bill.

Although this comprehensive bill covers several important issues including environmental protection, infrastructure, food security, and housing, he is encouraged by the strong plastic reduction language contained in the bill. 

The Mass Ready Act would remove single-use plastic bags from retail stores; allow plastic utensils and straws to be given to consumers only upon request; prohibit single-use plastic bottle purchases by state agencies, except in emergency situations; and require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a statewide bulk plastic recycling program for products such as car seats. More broadly, it aims to strengthen infrastructure, restore natural ecosystems, reform environmental permitting, and prepare communities for extreme weather disasters. You can find more details about the bill here, or you can read the full bill here: Mass Ready Act, S.3050

The bill was passed by the Massachusetts Senate on April 15th, 2026, in a definitive vote of 36-3. It is now in the House of Representatives, waiting to be brought to the floor. Please contact your State Rep and ask them to encourage the Speaker of the House to bring the bill to the floor.

3.) Save Mass Save

Come get a free scoop of delicious J.P. Licks ice cream today (Wednesday June 17) 6.30-8.30pm outside of Hunnewell Elementary School and learn more about how to save Mass Save. There is more: talk to experts about healthy, quiet, comfortable, money and energy sustainability inspirational ideas.  Plus, activities for children too!  Bring friends, neighbors and family to this community family friendly event.

Or email us for more at info@sustainablewellesley.com.

Choosing a Car
If you'll often be charging away from home, then range and speed of charge should be a consideration. A long range 800V battery in our Hyundai Ionic 5 charges much faster than the 400V battery that many EVs have.  (If you have a 400V battery, you can still go on a long trip, but the charging time will be longer, and depending on the car, the range could be less.) 
Charging Options
Level 1- uses a household plug and can take a day or two to charge.  Fine if you don’t drive far very often.
Level 2- uses an adaptor attached to a 240 outlet.  Great to install in your home if you want a full charge overnight.  
Level 3- labeled as high speed at commercial charging stations.  A necessity when on a long trip
Charge ports and Adapters
Your car may have a NACS charge port (Tesla originally, but now some other cars such as a Hyundai also come with it).  If you have this, you can only use a Tesla charge station unless you have an adaptor. Or your car may have a CCS1 charge port.  If you have this, you cannot use a Tesla charge station unless you have an adaptor.  It is quite helpful to have an adapter to be able to use either type of commercial charger with your car if you are driving a long distance. In addition, many hotels have a level 2 charger for your use for which you need a J1172 adaptor.  Some cars come with both adaptors.
Finding a charge station
Use multiple apps:
Compilation Apps: these will tell you the location of many different chargers along your route

1. ABRP (A Better Route Planner).  Gives suggestions of where to stop and what percentage you need to charge to
2. Plug Share – crowd sourced- shows locations of chargers
3. Your car may come with its own app that shows the location of chargers.

Individual Company Charger Apps

1. Tesla- some of the other apps didn’t show Tesla chargers.   This app will tell you which chargers are working and how many are open.
2. Rivian Adventure Network
3. Electrify America
4. Charge Point
5. EVgo

Other Tips

• Walmarts often have fast chargers in their parking lots.
• Most chargers allow you to tap a credit card. 
  
• You may want to avoid chargers where you must download their specific app to pay (such as Circle K).  It adds a level of complication and time and sometimes they don’t work.

Costs
We drove 3500 miles and it cost roughly $550 (we did get 3 hotels out west that had free overnight charging). If we’d had a gas car, we estimate it would have cost $540.  So, it was essentially the same. However, driving locally in Maine we drive slower and have a level 2 charger at home.  We estimate that for driving 15,000 miles a year, charging at home, our annual cost is about $900.  Gas for the same miles would be about $2300 per year.   So, the EV costs about 1/3 as much.  
On the Road
PLAN AHEAD!  If possible, the night before where you plan to stop- We used ABRP.  But watch for factors that lower your expected range and have a plan B of where to charge sooner.
Things that lower your milage (similar to gas vehicles)
1) elevation gain
2) hard rain
3) extreme heat or cold
4) speed- especially 75mph +
5) Low tire pressure
6) heavy load
7) open windows
(We had most of these affecting us on our first day and almost ran out of power- we arrived at our hotel with 7 miles to spare!) Be relaxed about your timing- use the charging times to get food/drinks, use the bathroom, relax.  It’s very doable!

With the high temperatures expected today and tomorrow, Wellesley's Municipal Light Plant would appreciate the community's help in reducing our system peak usage. 

You can do this by minimizing the use of your air conditioner(s) and turning off electric vehicle (EV) chargers and other appliances (clothes dryers, dehumidifiers, pool filters), especially between the hours of 5 PM and 8 PM.

Turning up your thermostat by just a few degrees will go a long way towards reducing our energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you for your support!

Learn more about reducing peak energy demand.

Shave the Peak!

Note:  If you want to receive the Town's peak alerts, please send an email to shavethepeak@wellesleyma.gov.

The list of things to get, learn and do is growing.
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Swing by on Wednesday, June 17th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Hunnewell School (on the blacktop if it's nice or inside if it isn't) to Get a Scoop & the Scoop!

Bring family, friends and neighbors and enjoy a scoop of J.P. Licks ice cream while you walk around to learn more about:
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• Quieter Lawn Care Products and Services - The noisy ones are frustrating!
• Meet Wellesley Trained Home Energy Coaches (no cost!) about Weatherizing Initiative$. Make Your Home/Rooms More Comfortable + Less Costly to Heat and Cool.
• Local Transportation - free rides in and around Wellesley 7 days a week! 12 years and older!
• Have Range Anxiety? Get Tips From Someone Who Drove From San Diego To Maine in an Electric Car
• Climate Related State Policies
• Drop Off The WHS Graduation Gown Not Being Used Anymore For Reuse!
• Where to bring New or Gently Use Schools Supplies for Students in Lawrence and Lowell. WMS 8th Graders Are Collecting them ❤️
• Waste Reducing Ideas for Home and Efforts Happening Across Town (Schools too!) 
• MORE Fun! 

and Get:

• Free Compost Starter Kits from RDF
• Chance to Win An Electric Trimmer for you Lawn
• Free Seeds
• More surprises!
• No cost Home energy audit from Homeworks Energy

Thank you to Wellesley’s Climate Action Committee, Natural Resources Commission and our friends at J.P. Licks for sponsoring this event!

We could use your talents to help us finalize our transition from Weebly to Wix. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to be our Techspert/Tech Lead, please email us at info@SustainableWellesley.com.  This is not a big commitment but would have big impact and you would join a fun, smart team.

Congratulations to all the Seniors and their families on your upcoming graduation! After all of the festivities, consider donating your gown for reuse for next year. Doing so helps cut down on the production of single-use graduation regalia, and you'll pay it forward for another graduate.

Bring your cap & gown with you to the All Night Party on Friday night - or anytime next week!

Collection bins will be in the WHS lobby by the Main Office beginning June 5th- 16th.

Join Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and David Abel, award-winning Boston Globe reporter, for a free talk about the new book, The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late. They will be at Brookline Booksmith Wednesday, June 17 at 7 PM to celebrate her book release. Be sure to register for the event so you can ensure a seat. You can preorder or buy book at the event.

Thanks to Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility for sharing this.

With recent wildfires in Georgia -- yes the southern state of Georgia -- it evident that our environment is endangered. Of course its more than the unprecedented wildfires, its hurricanes, flooding, droughts, heatwaves, tornados, and climate related health problems.

Unfortunately oil companies knew about this and are not interested in paying for the environment, lives, livelihoods, and homes lost.  Recently, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep Harriet Hagerman (R-WY) filed bills (S 4340/ H.R. 8330) to block any liability for damages caused by climate change.  If passed, these proposed bills would undermine all efforts across the United States to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for their role in catalyzing the climate crisis while they actively sowed denial and confusion about its cause.  

You can do something by reaching out to your US Congressperson and Senators Markey and Warren today and let them know you are not in favor of oil companies having immunity from all the damages from climate change they knowingly caused.  Using this 5 calls tool makes it easy but don’t stop there: Sign the petition!  You can also email your US legislator here, but calling is better. If you must use email, please personalize the message. Thanks!  

All Commuter Rail service will be free on Fridays in June, July, and August 2026, including Juneteenth and July 3. Regular fares will be in place for Boston Stadium Trains, the CapeFLYER, and any other special event trains to Foxboro.  More info here.

50% Discount on Monthly Commuter Rail Passes
Calendar month Commuter Rail passes for June, July, and August 2026 will be discounted by 50%. This discount applies to full fare and reduced fare monthly passes for Zones 1 through 10, Interzone 1 through 10, and Commuter Ferry passes. This discount will not apply to Zone 1A passes. All non-calendar month Commuter Rail products (for example, single-ride tickets, 5-Day Flex Passes, and Weekend Passes) will remain at their standard prices. 

Expanded Weekend Travel for Monthly Pass Holders
Monthly Commuter Rail passes will be valid for travel to any zone on weekends. Zone 1 through 10 pass holders may travel through Zone 10, and Interzone pass holders may travel through Interzone 10. This does not apply to Zone 1A passes or ferry service. Regular fares will be in place for Boston Stadium Trains, the CapeFLYER, and any other special event trains to Foxboro. 

$1 Weekend “Summer Companion” Fare for Commuter Rail Monthly Pass Holders
​Monthly pass holders may bring one companion on any weekend Commuter Rail trip covered by their pass for $1 each way. This offer is limited to one companion per pass holder. Regular fares will remain in place for Boston Stadium trains, the CapeFLYER, and other special event trains to Foxboro.  

To support increased ridership during the FIFA World Cup, the MBTA will temporarily adjust Commuter Rail schedules in June and July, including expanded service to accommodate up to 20,000 passengers on 14 trains per match day to Boston Stadium. 

The MBTA recognizes these temporary schedule changes may affect regular riders. These fare discounts are intended to offset those impacts, support regular riders, and encourage more people to choose transit during a busy summer season and beyond.

Wellesley’s Climate Action Committee, Natural Resources Commission invite you to swing by Sustainable Wellesley's "Get a Scoop & the Scoop" event on Wednesday, June 17th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Hunnewell School (on the blacktop if it's nice or inside if it isn't).

Wellesley residents can enjoy a scoop of J.P. Licks ice cream and get the scoop on variety of opportunities happening in town such as:  

• Quieter Lawn Care
• Suggestions From Wellesley’s Own Trained No Cost Home Energy Coach
• Local Transportation - free rides in and around Wellesley 7 days a week!
• Weatherizing Initiative$ to help that room(s) be more comfortable and less costly to heat and cool
• Waste and Plastic Reduction Ideas 
  
  

Beyond ice cream there will be other free items including seeds and compost buckets while supplies last plus fun kids activities.  Please thank our sponsor J.P. Licks and partner Wellesley Service League.

There Are A Few Spots Open For Sunday's Learn How To Grow Your Own Food Event
This is your year to learn how to grow your own vegetables, fruits and flowers from folks that know how.  Register here to hold your spot for the 3rd annual event on April 26th  from 1-3pm at Wellesley's Community Garden on Weston Rd.  Space is limited, so register for this popular event soon.  Sustainable Wellesley is proud to co-sponsor this now annual event with the incredible folks at Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, and the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission. Note the rain date is May 3rd also 1-3pm.

Expert gardeners will share tips and tricks on 
• Starting a garden
• Site selection
• Crop suggesions
• Growing tips
• Minimizing maintenance
• Pest management
• Pruning
• & More!

Drought Status Update
Drought conditions in Wellesley have improved and the Board of Public Works has rescinded mandatory outdoor watering restrictions. However, the Wellesley Water & Sewer Division is encouraging customers to voluntarily limit outdoor watering to no more than two days per week. If possible, water before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. to reduce water loss from evaporation. To help remember watering days, odd numbered addresses should water on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and even numbered addresses should water on Thursdays and Sundays. Less frequent and deeper watering helps promote deep root growth and healthier lawns that are more resistant to drought conditions. Less frequent watering also saves money. Check the Water & Sewer webpages to learn Water Conservation tips and how to check water usage using the Water Customer Portal.

Reusables Area Re-Opens on April 22
The RDF Reusables area will reopen this Wednesday, April 22.
Swing by:
Wednesdays - 7:00 a.m.to 11:00 a.m.
Thursdays - Saturdays - 7:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday -Tuesday - CLOSED 

Please note:

• Hours are subject to change
• Not accepted items include: Appliances (Window ACs, Mini Fridges, and Dehumidifiers), Car Seats (Infants and Toddlers).
• Volunteers are always needed at the Reusables Area. Please contact the RDF or stop by the administration office.