The Wellesley Food Waste Outreach Program has begun.

Help out on Saturday, May May 18 or Saturday, May 25th from 8:30-11:00am at the RDF ("dump").

We are looking for a few volunteers to share the news about the Town's Food Waste Program. Organizers will be there to help and offer you the easy 'show & tell' kit ahead of time.  You will simply be asking residents at the RDF if they know about the Town's food waste program and if they have not you can share a quick overview and offer them a no cost blue composting bucket and some material about the new partnership with Black Earth Composting. 

Why should you help out?
Recycling food waste means:

• Less trash in our landfills or incinerator
• Saves the town money by decreasing our overall trash disposal costs
• Wellesley's food waste is processed in an anerobic digester and used to create biogas clean energy
• Promotes a cleaner water supply with less food going down the drain/disposal

Can't volunteer but want to start reducing food waste in your home/office?
Here is how to get started:

• Pick up a FREE secure large screw top food waste blue waste bin at the Wellesley RDF office which holds 2-3 small sized (3 gallon) full food waste bags.
• Purchase compostable BIO Bags to collect your food waste at Roche Bros. and also available at most other retail locations. Available in small 3 gallon or tall 13 gallon sizes
• Collect food scraps in your kitchen—can purchase a food waste counter top bin at Greens Hardware and at many retail locations
• Allowed food waste: coffee remains including filters, tea remains including tea bags, meat/bones cooked/raw, candy, food waste leftovers and spoiled food, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy, baked goods and paper towels/napkins used for food.
• Not allowed: plastic, cardboard/paper cartons, stickers, take out containers, paper (including wax or parchment), cooking oil, yard waste.
• Bring your bagged food waste to Wellesley RDF and dispose in the Food Waste receptacles located in the middle bays as you are exiting the RDF, opposite general trash dumpsters

Looking for a volunteer opportunity that has a direct impact? Town wide volunteers like you will be managing the recycling stations at this year's Wellesley Wonderful Weekend Picnic.

The first 10 volunteers that respond to this call to action will get a $10 gift certificates from Truly's Yogurt. Ask a family member, neighbor, or friend and give a helping hand sometime between 4-7pm this Sunday. RSVP at [email protected]. THANKS!

Yes, the UN's Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change report was not what we wanted to hear.  Are you ready to do something about it? Taking actions (big and small) will improve your mood.

Here are 3 upcoming events you can help out with. One will surely be something you care about. Space is limited so sign up soon. (we couldn't resist).

1) Food waste:  Sign up here to help out on April 29th and May 6th. A group of us (all ages) will be at the Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF...aka "dump") sharing the news about Wellesley's free food waste (bones too!) program.  We will be handing out free food waste collection starter kits to residents to put in their kitchens in an effort to increase food waste diversion from residential trash. Collecting food waste separately keeps it out of a  landfill and creates clean energy; furthermore, it’s easy.

2) Idling: Sign up here to help out with Wellesley's Go Idle Free in 2023 initiative.
Starting the week of April 25th, Wellesley Green Schools, the Wellesley Police Department and other parents and students will walk car lines (before they start moving at school dismissal time) at all Wellesley Public Schools asking drivers to take a pledge to Go Idle Free in 2023!  We now know that over 30% of Wellesley's GHG emissions come from transportation and that 30% of Wellesley's traffic is school-related.  

3) Electric Vehicles (EV): Help out with the upcoming EV Test Drive and Showcase event on Thursday May 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday May 17). We are starting to collect names of folks willing to 1)showcase their electric vehicle and 2) help the day of at the good vibes, fun event. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in helping out at the event. Stay tuned for more information on details of event for those that want to participate. 

Got skills you want to use? Interests you would like to explore? The Select Board is recruiting candidates for a variety of boards, committees, and commissions. Town government relies on the dedication of many volunteers. Maybe this is your moment!

Some are listed below but more  information is here.

Municipal Light Plant Board: The five-member Municipal Light Board oversees the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant. The board consists of the three elected Board of Public Works Commissioners and two members appointed by the Select Board.

Wellesley Housing Development Corp.: The Wellesley Housing Development Corporation's mission is to sponsor and assist in the development of affordable housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income in the Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts in order to implement the Town's Affordable Housing Policy.

Zoning Board of Appeals: The ZBA is a quasi-judicial board which interprets and enforces the town Zoning Bylaw, hears and decides on petitions for appeals of town officer or board orders, Chapter 40B comprehensive permits, site plan approvals, special permits and variances. Youth Commission: The Wellesley Youth Commission provides programs and services designed to ensure that Wellesley's youth feel they are a valued part of the Wellesley community. Zoning Board of Appeals: The Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board which interprets and enforces the town Zoning Bylaw by hearing and deciding on petitions for appeals of town officer or board decisions, Chapter 40B comprehensive permits, site plan approvals, special permits and variances.

To volunteer for any Town Board or Committee, please complete this online volunteer form.

​You are invited for a Wellesley Green Schools get together on Tuesday, October 19th from 10am to 11:30am at 76 Cleveland Rd (between Weston and Westgate). 

Wellesley Green Schools is collaborative group of caregivers, students and staff working together to reduce Wellesley schools' ecological footprints, and inspire students to create a healthy sustainable world. 

We hope to meet outside so dress warmly while enjoying hot cider on the deck with blankets. If need be, we will go inside masked. Topics include:

• Learn about Safe Routes to School program from Wellesley School Committee member Catherine Mirick.
• Share what is important to you/your school community this academic year.
• How can our school community help Wellesley meet its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050? We can frame it knowing that buildings (municipal, residential and commercial) represent 53% of our greenhouse gas emissions in town, followed by transportation at 46% and only 1% from waste.  ​

Please join us! If you can, please email us at [email protected] so we know how many are coming.

With so many decisions that tie into climate action, there is no time better than NOW to take part in Wellesley town government as a Town Meeting member.  These position have a big impact, with not a lot of time commitment.

There are vacant Town Meeting seats in Precincts C, D, and E. The Town is seeking individuals from those precincts to fill these open positions. 

Special Elections for these positions will take place the week of October 4, 2021. 

New Town Meeting members will participate in the Special Town Meeting that starts on October 25, 2021. 

Residents may nominate themselves or have someone else nominate them. 

Nominations for Precinct C are due on September 30 at 5:00 p.m. Nominations for Precincts D and E are due on September 28 at 5:00 p.m. 

Nominees MUST be registered voters in the specific precinct they want to represent.  Email us at [email protected] with any questions.​

Join Mother's Out Front's second Climate Action Call to take quick and effective action in just 45 minutes! This month, we’ll be advocating for legislation to make clean heat, clean air, and healthy soils a reality across the Commonwealth.

This event is designed for everyone - from curious newcomers to long-time volunteers. We’ll give you everything you need to take action right on the call. No experience necessary to help move forward legislation designed to protect all Massachusetts communities from environmental pollution and climate change.

​REGISTER HERE

Many Town Boards, Committees, and Commissions positions are available.
Take a look here. Positions are appointed by Wellesley Select Board.

Council on Aging: The Wellesley Council on Aging (COA) was established by legislative action in 1972 to coordinate and carry out programs and services to meet the needs and objectives of the population age 60 and over. The COA is funded through local taxes, state, federal, and local grants, and private contributions.

Cultural Council: The Wellesley Cultural Council administers money that the Massachusetts Cultural Council allots to Wellesley from state funds, including the state lottery. These funds support the arts, humanities and sciences in the Wellesley community. The Council also serves as an advocacy voice for the arts in our community and state.

Historic District Commission: The Commission's primary responsibility is the review of applications for alterations to exterior architectural features for the sixty-five (65) properties within the Cottage Street Historic District and four (4) Single Building Historic Districts.

Historical Commission: The Wellesley Historical Commission works to protect and preserve tangible evidence of the architectural, aesthetic, cultural, economic, political and social history of Wellesley.

Sustainable Energy Committee: The Sustainable Energy Committee (SEC) leads efforts to accomplish the goal adopted at the 2009 Annual Town Meeting (ATM): to reduce Town-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 10% below 2007 levels by 2013, to monitor and report progress toward that goal, and to propose further goals for emissions reductions to Town Meeting. The 2014 ATM adopted the SEC proposal to establish a new goal to reduce Town-wide emissions 25% below 2007 levels by 2020. The Unified Plan also identifies sustainability and energy conservation as important goals.

Veterans Advisory Board: The West Suburban Veterans’ Services District (WSVSD) operates under the provisions established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 115. The office provides veterans and their dependents with a full range of benefits and services based on qualifications and eligibility requirements, using all available Federal, State and Town government agencies. The department also monitors the care and maintenance of all veterans’ graves and sixteen veterans’ monuments in Town. There are five board members with three year terms. Updated: April 15, 2021

Veterans’ Graves and Ceremonial Officer: This appointed position works with the Veterans Services Officer to register and maintain veterans’ graves including the placement of a United States flag on each grave on Memorial Day. Coordinates and supervises the observance of Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day in the community in conjunction with the WSVSD and ceremony committee. (Must be a Wellesley resident).

Wellesley Housing Development Corporation: The Wellesley Housing Development Corporation's mission is to sponsor and assist in the development of affordable housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income in the Wellesley, Massachusetts in order to implement the Town's Affordable Housing Policy.

Youth Commission: The Wellesley Youth Commission provides programs and services designed to ensure that Wellesley's youth feel they are a valued part of the Wellesley community.

Zoning Board of Appeals: The Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board which interprets and enforces the town Zoning Bylaw by hearing and deciding on petitions for appeals of town officer or board decisions, Chapter 40B comprehensive permits, site plan approvals, special permits and variances.

Learn More! For detailed information on Town of Wellesley Boards and Committees, please visit here: To volunteer for any Town Board or Committee, please complete this volunteer form.