Wellesley Advisory Committee Approves $5,000 in Year-End Transfers, Riley Hands Off Chairmanship

WELLESLEY -- June 30, 2026, Wellesley Advisory Committee approves two $2,500 year-end transfers and debates the independence of its annual report. The committee voted 10-1 to transfer funds from the Fire Department's personal service surplus to cover an Advisory postage deficit created by the May special town meeting, with Secretary Doug Wilkins casting the sole no vote, arguing the cost should fall on those who caused the extra meeting. A second transfer, moving the unspent $2,500 graves officer stipend to the Celebrations Committee for the Wellesley Weekend festivities, passed 11-0, the third consecutive year that transfer has occurred. Finance Director Rachel DeRoche told the committee that the legal budget, which Wilkins preferred as the source for the first transfer, was being fully encumbered to cover outstanding June bills. Outgoing Chair Madison Riley then stepped back from a planned vote on annual report recommendations after members including Penny Rossano objected that draft language framed the chair's personal views as committee-wide positions: "If it says 'views of the chair are,' I would feel very different about it." Riley formally handed the chair to incoming Vice Chair Mark Benjamin at the close of business.