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Wellesley Select Board votes unanimously to enter executive session on potential litigation and union negotiations
Summary
On May 15, 2026 the Wellesley Select Board voted 5-0 to enter executive session under M.G.L. c. 30A §21(a) exemption #3 to discuss strategy on potential litigation concerning 40 Oakland Street and to negotiate with Wellesley Local 1795 (IAFF) and AFSME Local 49 Custodian Union; the board invited town counsel, special counsel and senior staff and returned only to adjourn.
The Wellesley Select Board voted unanimously on May 15 to move into executive session under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A, §21(a), exemption #3 to discuss strategy regarding potential litigation with the Commonwealth over 40 Oakland Street and to discuss negotiations with two town employee unions.
Chair Marjorie Freiman called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. and, at 12:04 p.m., requested a motion to enter executive session to address the litigation matter and to invite Executive Director Meghan Jop, Town Counsel Eric Reustle and Special Counsel Nicholas Shapiro and Robert Hopkins to participate. Colette Aufranc made the motion; Thomas Ulfelder seconded. The board was polled and voted 5-0 (Aufranc, Freiman, Largess, Sullivan Woods, Ulfelder) to approve the motion.
The board then moved under the same statutory exemption to enter executive session to discuss negotiations with Wellesley Local 1795, International Association of Firefighters, and AFSME Local 49 Custodian Union. The motion to invite Executive Director Meghan Jop and Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli to join the executive session was made and seconded; the board again voted 5-0 to enter executive session.
The motions cited M.G.L. c. 30A §21(a) exemption #3, which allows the board to meet privately to discuss strategy on litigation and collective bargaining when public discussion would be detrimental to the town’s position. The board’s recorded votes were procedural approvals to move into closed session; no substantive details of litigation strategy or bargaining positions were discussed in open session and will remain in executive session. The record shows the board planned to return to open session only to adjourn.
After the executive session, the board briefly reconvened and adjourned the meeting at 2:28 p.m.
