Here’s something you don’t see every day – Wellesley youngsters aren’t the only ones who have returned to school this September. Wellesley’s senior community is also going back to school, participating in the 36th year of Wellesley Weston Lifetime Learning program. Monday morning classes allow opportunities for socializing while learning. For a modest fee of $35 per class, senior Wellesley homeowners can choose among a range of classes from Origami to Space Weather taught by a physicist. Perhaps this season’s most popular course offering will be the Greater Boston Cultural Institutions course taught by representatives of ten local institutions. This class will cover the history and holdings of the Spellman Stamp Museum, Addison Art Gallery, and Battleship Cove. Wellesley focuses on providing educational, recreational, and social opportunities for all residents.

Since September 1, 14 brand new listings for single family homes have come onto the market in Wellesley, with the promise of dozens more to follow in the coming weeks.  If you are considering a move to Wellesley, be on the lookout for a plethora of open houses this Sunday!

Of these new properties to the market, some unique features stand out.  The most inexpensive is at 62 Overbrook Drive, a 682 SF cottage on a 9600 SF lot near the Natick line listed for $365,000.  Largely listed at land value, this property is ideal for a major renovation or rebuild.  A major challenge for this property is that it is listed as short sale pending third party approval.  Be sure to discuss with your agent what bidding on a short sale property means for you as a buyer. 

On the other end of the spectrum for new Wellesley listings is the vast colonial located at 55 Ledgeways in the Farms neighborhood.  With four bedrooms, three and one half baths situated on over half and acre, this property is listed at $2,099,000.  Regardless of budget, be sure to do your due diligence regarding what is available for your purchase in Wellesley this fall.

Currently in its 62nd season, the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra is, just as it advertises, “a jewel in our midst.” Under the direction of Conductor Max Hobart, the orchestra performs work by regional composers and provides opportunities for young and professional soloists. The orchestra’s dedication to educating and instilling a love of music in children is clear through their work with schools and community organizations, free concert admission to children under twelve years old, and the “Instrument Petting Zoo.” The 2011-2012 season runs from October 9 through May 13 with concerts on Sunday afternoons. The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra is a fine example of the cultural opportunities available to a homebuyer considering a move to Wellesley.

The availability of health-conscious town activities is always a huge draw for prospective and current homeowners in metro west. With the end of summer approaching, the Wellesley Recreation Commission is already turning its attention to increasing winter activities available to the Wellesley community. The Recreation Commission hopes to build an outdoor ice skating rink on the town field between Reidy field and the tennis courts located along Route 16 in the coming months. It is a lit field without a current winter purpose. The field’s natural bowl shape and two elevated sides make it ideal for a skating rink. The rink could be in place for enjoyment this winter with the support of the Natural Resources Commission and the Department of Public Works. One can imagine Wellesley families bringing their children out for a winter skate and some hot chocolate for years to come!

Today’s subject is one of critical importance to anyone with children looking for a home in Wellesley—school cafeteria food. It’s something that matters every school day. The Wellesley school district has announced a new contract with Chartwells for all public school cafeterias, though all existing cafeteria staff has been offered positions with Chartwells.

Chartwells, with an excellent reputation in over 500 school districts, is known for its 96% retention rate. Chartwells’ staff nutritionist offers education programs on nutrition and wellness to go along with published nutritional information. Locally grown produce will be used for cafeteria meals as much as possible. Wellesley parents might be pleased to know that green initiatives will be in place as well as a debit card system for payment convenience.

Wellesley buyers have the luxury of getting a little more “bang for their buck,” so to speak, than eastern-lying Newton and Brookline who are a bit more squeezed for lot sizes.  While single family homes are overwhelmingly the meat of the Wellesley real estate market, there are several pockets of condominiums, particularly along the commuter rail line, which offer a perfect, low-maintenance lifestyle for some Wellesley residents.

One condominium complex of note is Wellesley Green.  Located on Grove Street just between Dana Hall School and downtown Wellesley, the location is ideal.  Walkable to local favorites like Tutto Italiano and Truly Yogurt, the main library branch, Town Hall, and the Wellesley Square commuter rail station are a stone’s throw away. 

Amenities include parking, swimming pool, professionally landscaped grounds, elevator use and maintenance, twenty-four hour security, etc.  If you are considering a move to Wellesley, look into what condominiums have to offer and if they are compatible with your lifestyle.

With the need for redistricting following the 2010 census, Wellesley town officials are urging the state to redraw lines in the town’s favor. Under the current district lines, Wellesley shares representation with Massachusetts towns as far south as Attleboro. Wellesley officials feel their interests are better aligned with other Metro West towns such as Dover, Natick, Needham, Sherborn, and Weston.

Ideally, the Wellesley community would be represented by a single senate district and a single house district. While there is no guarantee that Wellesley’s recommendations will be respected by the state, Wellesley is pushing to be heard. As new district lines go into effect at the end of 2011, local representation will be impacted. All 200 Town Meeting members must run for re-election next year, perhaps within a newly defined district. Each Wellesley family should monitor the progress of the redistricting as representation may change.

Morses Pond is a recreational treasure and an important resource for the Wellesley community. This summer, residents will swim, boat, and fish at Morses Pond even as it contributes 40% of the town’s water supply. For the past four years, efforts under the Morses Pond Management Plan have significantly diminished troublesome weeds. Using a harvester, the Department of Public Works routinely removes weeds from the pond. Issues with the pond initiate within the watershed rather than the pond itself; for example, phosphorous in storm water runoff causes heavy algae growth. Now, aluminum sulfate injected into the pond before rainstorms binds and counteracts the phosphorous. Next, the management plan will focus on educating the 1,000 households in the watershed on alternative fertilizers and rain gardens.  Coordinated efforts by the town and Wellesley home owners  in the watershed preserve this important resource.

Truly Yogurt located at 35 Grove Street has been one of the most delectable hot spots in town for nearly twenty years.  Specializing in hard serve and soft serve frozen yogurt and ice cream, this modest ice cream store is a tribute to simpler times.  With hand-written, revolving selections and a friendly staff, patronizing this establishment is a pleasure.  There is limited seating inside and outside the shoppe, but shaded benches are just steps away in Wellesley Square to leisurely enjoy Truly Yogurt’s delicious treats. 

Truly Yogurt is open seven days a week and features specialty flavors daily such as Candy Cane and Red Velvet Cake.  It is definitely worth a visit, especially to beat the heat this summer!  Friendly members of the Wellesley community top off the whole experience!

New tree preservation regulations will affect Wellesley homeowners interested in making changes on their lots as well as new homebuilders. On one hand, protecting trees is environmentally friendly and aesthetically appealing. On the other hand, some homeowners are looking at large, unanticipated expenses. Specific details can be found at the Wellesley town website.  Trees covered under the protection rules must be left in place. If they cannot, they may be replanted or removed with a contribution to the tree bank. Fees can be as much as several thousand dollars. The regulations include restrictions on replanting certain invasive tree species. Certified Arborists must be hired to ensure compliance with the new rules. Homebuyers considering a move to Wellesley must consider the additional cost of the tree preservation rules should they renovate or build.