More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

The Swellesley Report Hard-Hitting Investigative Team has headed out in broad daylight and gotten the lowdown on how much Wellesley gas stations charge for air, that essential mix of nitrogen, oxygen, neon, argon, helium and whatever else happens to be floating around.

Most typically, gas stations in town charge 75 cents for self-service tire pumping (or whatever else you want to do with the air). This was the case at service stations along Rte. 9, such as the Shell station near Dunkin’ Donuts on Rte. 9 west…

… this Gulf station on Rte. 16 east in Wellesley Hills…

… and Patriot Petroleum on Rte. 9 west.

However, the Citgo station on Linden Street charges a buck for air…

… and the priciest air in town comes from the Mobil station at Kingsbury Street and Washington St., which charges $1 for air, or $1.50 if you put it on a charge or debit card (right across from Whole Foods). These businesses try to soften the blow by assuring customers that “a portion” of their air money will go toward an outfit called Feed My Starving Children.

While many in Wellesley probably just suck it up and pay for their air, you don’t have to go far out of your way to find free air. In fact, the first four stations I checked outside of Wellesley all offered free air. This included the Gulf station on Rte. 16 at the South Natick/Wellesley line  (though their gas is pricey),  the Natick Shell station on Rte. 27 near Stop’n Shop, and both Rte. 9  Hess stations in Natick.

I’ve read that some states (at least California and Connecticut) require service stations to offer air for free, at least in part to encourage drives to fully inflate their tires, for safety reasons. Although I’m told that there is no such statute in Massachusetts (inquiries into state offices such as the Division of Standards and DMV were not acknowledged). One expert told me that some communities in Massachusetts — including Lynn — have free air mandates, but that Wellesley is not among them.

If it makes you feel any better, service stations don’t make much money on air, and there are costs associated with purchasing the machines, collecting the money and operating the devices.  Many stations offer free air as a way to entice customers to buy other services, but apparently not in Wellesley.

One tip: Some stations will turn on the air pumps for free if you ask, especially if you’re buying gas.

Special to The Swellesley Report from Robert Dwyer of The Wellesley Wine Press:

Similar to our fair Wellesley, neighboring Needham has long been a “dry” town. Well, dry insofar as there are no bars or package stores allowed, although alcohol can be served at restaurants. But that could change – as I learned from Boston Restaurant Talk. Needham is considering allowing alcohol to be sold at retail outlets for the first time since prohibition.

It got me thinking about whether Wellesley too might consider loosening up its alcohol restrictions. Can you imagine liquor stores in Wellesley? I can.

When stated that way – LIQUOR STORES – it’s hard to see the idea of junky old guard Massachusetts package stores flying in Wellesley. But if it’s done the right way I can imagine retail wine sales in Wellesley.  Here’s how…

Wellesley has a history of “gerrymandering” laws to suit its interests – specifically in the area of alcohol regulation. Have a look at a this brief history of Wellesley’s dry status. There are all kinds of quirky laws on the books that were undoubtedly enacted to discourage or allow some specific scenario at the time each was enacted. This precedent makes it possible to imagine the town allowing specific types of alcohol sales and not others. Fine wine and craft beer? Yes. Nips, lotto, and cigarettes? No way.

The issue of whether Wellesley should have a different tax rate for commercial property than residential has very recently been on the table. If I’m a commercial property owner having a hard time filling a vacant storefront, and a boutique wine retailer with locations elsewhere in the Boston area is interested in leasing the space, I’ve got to feel limited by the town’s alcohol sales restrictions.

To successfully finagle retail wine sales in Wellesley, it needs to be positioned as a positive element in the virtuous cycle of excellent public schools, a beautiful town close to Boston and high quality homes/neighborhoods.

A high quality retail wine boutique/gourmet grocery could be an asset to the town in a similar manner as John Dewar Meats, Wasik’s Cheese Shop and Blue Ginger. And who wouldn’t love the convenience of picking up some vino at the Wellesley Whole Foods along with the rest of your groceries?

Weston allowed the sale of wine a couple years ago and they seem to have survived quite nicely. It’s time for Wellesley to allow the sale of wine at retail establishments. Let’s do it the right way and make it another reason why Wellesley is a great place to live.