LocalWire

Committee will discuss its potential recommendations to be included in the FY26 Annual Report — content not yet specified in the agenda.

Next meeting June 30 will address year-end budget transfers, which can shift funds between town accounts at fiscal year close.

All boards will assess what worked and what didn't in FY27, then begin early discussions on FY28 budget drivers, individual guidelines, and federal/state funding outlook — directly affecting future tax rates and town services.

Updates on the Town-wide Capital Planning Committee, General Bylaw Review Committee, Citizens' Leadership Academy, and a preview of anticipated Fall 2026 Town Meeting articles.

Public hearing on whether the town should negotiate with the state for 180 housing units on ~7–8 acres at 40 Oakland Street with a conservation restriction on the remaining ~37–38 acres, or pursue litigation; an informal show-of-hands poll showed 43 residents for litigation, 1 for negotiation, 0 for accepting the state's current framework.

Advisory Committee voted 9 in favor of Option B (negotiate with the state for concessions including unit reduction, affordable housing, and forest protection), 2 for Option A (accept state's 180-unit framework), 0 for Option C (litigation), with 1 abstention.

Advisory Committee recommended 9–3 that Town Meeting approve transferring $900,000 from certified free cash to the Select Board's legal budget, exclusively for 40 Oakland Street matters, to strengthen the town's negotiating posture.

STM report mailed May 4; Pre-STM meeting May 11 at 6 p.m. at Wellesley High School followed by Special Town Meeting at 7 p.m.; next Advisory meeting May 13 at 6:30 p.m., Great Hall.

Coming up April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall, Town Hall (525 Washington St): Advisory Committee reviews all articles on the Special Town Meeting warrant before residents vote May 11.

Ten residents spoke on whether the Town should negotiate (Option B) or litigate (Option C) against the State's proposal to build 180 housing units on ~7–8 acres at 40 Oakland Street; an informal show of hands drew 43 for litigation and 1 for negotiation among attendees.

Advisory Committee voted 9–2 to recommend Option B: direct the Select Board to negotiate with the Commonwealth for a reduced footprint, conservation restriction, and affordable/accessible housing, rather than immediately pursue litigation.

Advisory Committee voted 9–3 to recommend favorable action on transferring $900,000 from certified free cash to the Select Board legal budget, exclusively for 40 Oakland Street matters, to strengthen the Town's negotiating leverage.

STM report mails May 4; Pre-STM meeting May 11 at 6 p.m. at Wellesley High School, followed by Special Town Meeting at 7 p.m.; next Advisory meeting May 13 at 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Great Hall.

Residents may comment on May STM warrant articles before the committee votes; article subjects are not specified in this agenda.

Committee will debate and vote its recommended motions on three STM article items; article subjects not detailed in this agenda.

Three residents (Grantland, Oakland Street, Friends of Centennial nonprofit) urged opposing the state's 180-unit proposal, citing wetlands, traffic, lost forest, and 3,400+ petition signatures, and said they'll pursue litigation.

State has declared 40 Oakland (MassBay) surplus for at least 180 housing units; Town Meeting will weigh negotiating with the state versus litigating over the surplus designation and density.

Town Counsel reviewed Article 97 land-protection precedents and noted the only protection evidence is a 1996 MassBay letter; litigation involves untested issues and uncertain outcomes.

Article 3 would transfer $900,000 for potential litigation, on top of $200,000 already authorized, totaling $1.1 million across two fiscal years; legal fees could run into high hundreds of thousands.

Article 2 is a non-binding question gauging negotiation vs. litigation preference; the warrant closes April 24 and the Select Board finalizes motion language before the May 11 one-night Special Town Meeting.

Members raised tax revenue from new growth, traffic mitigation on Oakland Street and the Route 9 intersection, and removal of student parking; answers to come in Town Meeting communications.

Select Board presents non-binding questions on designating 40 Oakland St (MassBay Community College site) as surplus land and its subsequent disposition — outcome could affect a significant town-owned parcel.

Advisory Committee holds its public hearing on the May 2026 Special Town Meeting warrant on April 29; full STM is May 11 at Wellesley High School.