The Town of Wellesley depends on the active participation of its citizens in governance of the Town. Wellesley has 11 Boards and Committees on the ballot at the Annual Town election each year in March. The 2025 election will be held on Tuesday, March 4.
There are three candidates running for one open three-year term on the Select Board, which serves as the chief executive board of the Town, and as such, oversees all matters affecting the interest and welfare of the community. The five-member Board exercises the authority vested in the Town not specifically assigned by law to any other board or office.
The Select Board candidates, in ballot order, are:
The Swellesley Report invited the candidates to answer a few questions about their priorities for the Town of Wellesley.
Candidate interviews appear in ballot order.
Odessa Sanchez
The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.
Odessa Sanchez: I’m Odessa Sanchez, and I have a long list of life experiences gained by studying and working in several fields and organizations. Among those roles, I’m also a proud grandmother, cheer coach, teacher’s aid, and dedicated local volunteer. The next role I’m suited for is honored Select Board member elect.
I grew up in Newton, but Wellesley is where I established deep roots for my family over the last 16 years. I’ve modeled my large family to be constant contributors to this community through various public school activities, sports and acts of service and kindness.
Wellesley is where we work, live and go to school. My neighbors know me from my active roles as PTO secretary at Fiske, Multi Culture Festival Committee member, School Council Parent at Wellesley High, POP Parent volunteer, and SJSP Collaborative Council Member.
I love Wellesley for its beautiful landscapes, academic pride, and endless volunteer opportunities. Wellesley is a great town, but I want to make it better however I can. I am skilled at working with people from all walks of life. I’ve practiced leading and collaborating on committees, with members with different viewpoints than mine, and I actively speak and listen to the people to find out what Wellesley may need.
A few strengths I would bring to the Select Board is an outstanding track record of dedicated service and the ability to work hard and lend my talents to each group I encountered. Another strength is I have the time and flexibility to be fully committed to this new role. I only work in Wellesley, so my commute is a short walk to Town Hall.
I was elected to represent Precinct E as a Town Meeting Member, and I have a perfect record of attendance. My community voted for me to represent them so it’s important to attend, testify, and cast votes.
I was also elected to be a commissioner on the Wellesley Housing Authority Board and I am currently the Chair. I’ve learned to review capital projects and monthly financial statements. I’ve also gained experience drafting and reviewing policies and public housing notices that impact the lives of our residents.
I consider myself a proven leader and approved elected official, but I haven’t stopped there, I’ve also been appointed to several other boards and committees in Wellesley and across the Metro West.
I serve on the Historical Commission and the Plaque Determination Sub-Committee. I’m the Chair of the Nomination Committee for the League of Women Voters. I’m a member of the D.E.I. Taskforce of Wellesley and the Wellesley Women’s Initiatives Committee.
I was a pivotal contributor on the first Wellesley International Women’s Day Celebration. My dedication to women of all ages has led me to be head coach for Varsity Cheer at Wellesley High, a volunteer for Girls Flag Football for a local non profit, and serving as a State-appointed commissioner and chair for the Metro West region’s Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.
What sets me apart is, I’m an involved stakeholder that stays responsive to constitutes needs. I’ve been elected to my positions, more than once by a large body of my community members. Whether at a committee meeting, gathering at my local church or favorite park, I make myself available to hear the needs of Wellesley first hand.
TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Select Board member?
Odessa Sanchez: I plan to prioritize connectivity of people and places in town. Wellesley should be accessible for all and it’s our responsibility to provide a safe, accessible, and efficient transportation system that includes public transportation, pedestrian and bike pathways. We should continue to review the status of our community’s vulnerability to the criminal element. Even though it doesn’t get much attention, the area is still troubled by break-ins and nuisance thefts. I think it’s important for the Select Board to introduce the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meetings, as an example of respect for the proceedings and to initiate the start of the business at hand. I would love for the office of SB to encourage more citizens’ speak engagement, and to offer a space for all contributing voices to feel they are heard and respected.
TSR: What can the town do to make living here more affordable for existing residents and those who would like to move here?
Odessa Sanchez: As a member of the Historical Commission, I hear frequent hearings on demolition applications by owners and developers looking to tear down and do total rebuilds. If it’s appropriate, we try to encourage the proposed planners to consider rehabilitation as opposed to a large rebuild. These scaled down projects can be offered at a lower cost, and that will help more new and younger families be able to move in to Wellesley. My experience on the Wellesley Housing Authority Board has put me in conversations that discuss multiple affordable housing opportunities, some ideas include rental assistance programs, first time buyers workshops, housing trusts, resource funding from community organizations, new State House Affordable Housing Act guidelines, and we expect more projects are being discussed and developed to be presented to Town Meeting this April.
TSR: What are the pluses and minuses of the town government being so decentralized?
Odessa Sanchez: The advantage can be the feeling of empowerment for the individual boards by giving them more control over decisions that affect them directly. This can lead to greater community engagement and participation in local governance. A decentralized system may encourage flexibility and innovation, as departments have the freedom to experiment with policies and solutions that best fit their specific needs. I’ve found that empowering on the boards I serve on.
Some disadvantages are lack of efficient coordination between boards. When decision-making is decentralized, coordination between different units (departments, committees, etc.) can be difficult. This might lead to conflicts, delayed responses, or fragmented services, especially in times of crisis. While decentralization can improve accountability at the surface level, it can also make it harder to hold the overall government accountable. With so many different bodies involved, it’s difficult to track who is responsible for certain decisions or failures, potentially leading to a “blame game.”
TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?
Odessa Sanchez: Voters can watch my government meetings on demand through Wellesley Media to see more of my body of work. My full bio that list my contributions to Wellesley is on my website: www.electodessasanchez.com
My email is odessaw@gmail.com
I welcome comments and questions. I hope I can earn your vote on Tuesday, March 4th.
Kenneth Largess
The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.
Kenneth Largess: My name is Kenneth Largess, and I am running for Wellesley Select Board. I’ve been actively engaged in our town since moving here almost 15 years ago with my wife and three children. I’ve coached over 30 youth sports teams, served on the Fiske School Council, and worked closely with families across Wellesley. These experiences have given me a strong connection to our community and a deep appreciation for what makes Wellesley special.
In addition to my broad community involvement, I have firsthand experience working within town government. As a member of Wellesley’s Advisory Committee, I collaborate with nearly all of the town’s boards and committees, review budgets, evaluate Town Meeting Articles, and help ensure responsible governance. In my role as Advisory’s liaison to the Select Board, I’ve seen how effective leadership requires both initiative and collaboration—bringing fresh ideas while working constructively with others to make thoughtful, well-informed decisions for our community.
Professionally, I am an attorney with over 20 years of experience in finance, including time at a large international law firm, an investment bank, and an investment management firm. I’ve worked extensively with companies big and small to help them grow and navigate complex issues. The skills I’ve developed in the private sector will be critical to managing Wellesley’s $200 million budget wisely, particularly as we consider more than $100 million in proposed capital projects.
With strong roots in Wellesley, hands-on experience in town government, and a professional background in law and finance, I have the knowledge, dedication, and leadership skills to serve effectively and help guide our town toward a strong and vibrant future.
TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Select Board member?
Kenneth Largess: There is a lot to accomplish over the next three years, but I want to highlight a few key areas that need immediate attention:
- Strategic Housing Plan: Wellesley has developed a Strategic Housing Plan, and it’s critical that we carefully review its recommendations and chart a thoughtful path forward. I will work with fellow board members and town stakeholders to craft a practical approach that meets our housing needs while preserving the character of our town.
- Fixing Communication and Strengthening Community Engagement: Our current communication approach isn’t working. Too many residents struggle to find timely information about committee and board meetings, projects, and key decisions. This problem becomes especially apparent during discussions about large development projects, when clear, accessible information is essential. At the same time, we need more residents engaged in town government. Many residents, juggling jobs and family commitments, don’t have time to attend meetings—but their voices still matter. I’m committed to bridging that gap by encouraging more people, particularly younger generations, to get involved so decisions reflect the interests of the entire town.
- Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility and Managing Large Capital Projects: Wellesley is at a critical juncture with several major capital projects on the horizon, and we need to manage them responsibly. With the average property tax bill nearing $20,000, it’s more important than ever to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely. I will advocate for rigorous financial planning, thorough cost-benefit analyses, and full transparency to make smart investments while keeping the town financially stable.
- Respect our seniors: Wellesley’s senior residents have made invaluable contributions to our community over the years, and they deserve to be heard, respected, and supported. As our population ages, we must ensure that seniors’ voices are not only acknowledged but that their concerns receive the same level of attention as those of other constituents in the town.
By focusing on these priorities, I hope to help Wellesley move forward with smart, practical decisions that reflect the values of our entire community.
TSR: What can the town do to make living here more affordable for existing residents and those who would like to move here?
Kenneth Largess: Affordability is a serious concern in Wellesley. To address it, we need a thoughtful, multi-faceted approach focused on housing, taxes, and local businesses. That said, we must be realistic—Wellesley will always be an expensive town because of its location, schools, and overall desirability.
- Assessing Housing Options: We should identify practical ways to expand housing options in appropriate locations without altering the character of the town. Our primary focus should be on expanding opportunities for seniors who want to downsize but remain part of our community. By creating more age-friendly housing in strategic areas, we may free up larger homes for young families while helping seniors stay connected to family and friends.
- Managing the Tax Burden: We must be laser focused on the financial strain that our property tax bills put on residents. I support reviewing our tax policies and exploring options like meaningful, targeted exemptions for seniors and other residents on fixed incomes. While there are existing exemptions, they currently benefit far too few people. Additionally, we must carefully evaluate large capital projects for their long-term impact on taxpayers.
- Supporting Local Businesses: A thriving local economy helps distribute the tax burden among residents and businesses. By supporting policies that foster business growth and encourage appropriate commercial development, we can strengthen the town’s tax base and reduce our reliance on residential property taxes.By taking these steps, we can make Wellesley more affordable while preserving the qualities that make it such a desirable place to live.
TSR: What are the pluses and minuses of the town government being decentralized?
Kenneth Largess: Wellesley’s decentralized town government structure has both strengths and challenges. One significant advantage is that decision-making is distributed across multiple boards, committees, and departments, which encourages broad community engagement by providing numerous opportunities for residents to get involved. Volunteers serving on boards bring valuable expertise and help ensure that decisions reflect the community’s interests. Additionally, this structure fosters checks and balances by preventing any single person or group from having excessive influence.
Decentralization also presents challenges. The involvement of multiple boards can lead to fragmentation, making communication and coordination more difficult. When decisions or proposed capital projects overlap—such as with school facilities and infrastructure—delays or conflicting outcomes can occur. Additionally, our reliance on volunteers, while fostering civic pride, can lead to fatigue and occasional gaps in specialized knowledge.
Moving forward, we need to maintain the benefits of decentralization while addressing these challenges. If elected to the Select Board, I will work to improve communication and collaboration across boards to ensure efficient, effective governance and the continued success of our community.
TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?
Kenneth Largess: Thank you in advance for your consideration and support. Please reach out to me at largess4sb@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information. You can also visit largess4sb.org to learn more about my campaign or to get involved.
Michael Tauer
The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.
Michael Tauer: I have lived and worked in Wellesley since my family moved here in 2017. We love living here and knew, as soon as we arrived, that we had found our home. Our initial attraction to Wellesley’s charm and beauty has developed into respect and deep appreciation for its commitment to education, sustainability, diversity, and prudent financial management. We have also come to greatly appreciate the partnership between the volunteers who serve in Town government and the talented and dedicated Town employees who help make Wellesley thrive. This appreciation for those who work on behalf of Wellesley led me to seek appointment to the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) in 2019. I am now in my second term on the PBC and am honored to have served as its chair since 2022.
My service on the PBC has given me the opportunity to work with many members of Town government and the Town’s professional staff. Much of my time on the PBC has been dedicated to the successful completion of the Hunnewell and Hardy schools, which has required an understanding of the scope of the excellent work done by the School Committee and by the outstanding educators and staff who run our schools. We are also now in the final steps in completing the renovations to our Town Hall. This project required a careful balancing of the needs and interests of several Town departments and our community as well as the need to update and modernize the building to support an evolving use of office and meeting space with enhanced technology and a healthier work environment, all in a manner that incorporates historical details that honor the value and meaning our Town has derived from this building for over a century. Working on these projects and others has provided deep insight into Town finances, the Town’s approach to budgeting for large capital projects, and the Town’s long-term plans for constantly maintaining and enhancing its physical spaces sustainably and with great attention to programmatic need.
I am an attorney in private practice with a focus on civil litigation. Separate from my law practice, I partnered with others to open several businesses—primarily restaurants and bars in Memphis, where we used to live. I acquired skills and experience in managing new ventures and operating budgets and in hiring and supervising employees. I have also served on the boards of various non-profit organizations, thereby gaining enhanced appreciation for the critical role of good governance as a means of ensuring broad participation and a meaningful opportunity for everyone to be heard. These practical, hands-on experiences in the legal, business, and non-profit worlds and my experience on the PBC have ideally prepared me to serve on the Select Board.
TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Select Board member?
Michael Tauer: Our Town functions best when it achieves balance through thoughtful efforts to consider and incorporate different points of view. On the Select Board, I will promote respectful collaboration, careful planning, transparency, and consensus so that, through our common efforts, Wellesley continues to thrive.
The Select Board is responsible for bringing forth a balanced Town-wide budget, and this budget reflects how we balance our priorities. Chief among these priorities must be maximizing the return on expenditures of tax dollars and minimizing the tax burden on residents. However, Wellesley would not be the incredible community it is today had prior generations of residents not invested in our Town. For Wellesley to continue to thrive, we must continue to make these investments in our Town’s future.
Wellesley has spent more than $200 million on capital construction over the last 15 years as we have addressed the consequences of deferred maintenance and created the buildings to sustain and support or Town for decades to come. We have learned a great deal about how to ensure that our buildings serve the Town’s programmatic needs, promote its sustainability goals, and maximize the return on the Town’s investments in design and construction. These lessons will be invaluable as we embark on significant additional capital construction over the next several years, including multiple Department of Public Works buildings, Warren, a few school roofs, and the potential construction of additional fire stations. The Select Board plays a critical role in articulating our Town’s capital construction priorities and in developing the financial plans to pay for these projects. My experience serving on the Permanent Building Committee will allow me to partner with other Town officials as they create buildings that are programmatically effective and financially efficient.
As a Select Board member, I will also promote practical policies to enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions, particularly when these policies promote multiple Town goals and reduce long-term costs. For example, the Town recently installed a battery energy storage system that can provide backup power and can also save money by balancing energy loads, thereby reducing reliance on expensive power during periods of peak demand. We have taken the lead in implementing practical sustainability measures that yield long-term cost savings. Hunnewell and Hardy are net-zero ready with all-electric building systems. Town Hall has also now been converted to all-electrical systems, and it is anticipated that Warren will follow suit.
I am proud of Wellesley’s commitment to sustainability and combatting climate change. In 2021, Town Meeting adopted a goal of targeted reductions in town-wide greenhouse gas reductions, culminating in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our Climate Action Plan contains a detailed roadmap for hitting these targets, and our Climate Action Department offers robust services and guidance for residents wishing to adopt more sustainable practices. I will promote practical solutions to enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions and ongoing costs.
Please see my response below, describing my goal of bringing us together around a housing plan that is right for Wellesley, expands housing access, and diversifies housing options.
TSR: What can the town do to make living here more affordable for existing residents and those who would like to move here?
Michael Tauer: Massachusetts is facing a housing crisis that has been decades in the making and results from many interrelated factors. Wellesley, like all communities in Massachusetts, has a role to play in addressing this dilemma. In response to a crisis, it is natural and understandable to want to take immediate action. We must resist the urge, however, to rush to “do something” without first understanding all of the consequences of our intended actions. Instead, we must recognize that planning is progress. We will much more effectively address the challenges related to housing if our actions are part of a holistic strategy that incorporates the views of all stakeholders.
In Wellesley, we have taken important steps, such as complying with the MBTA Communities Act, to do our part to address housing. It takes time for the impacts of zoning and other regulatory changes to become apparent. We should monitor these impacts as the Town completes its Strategic Housing Plan, Affordable Housing Policy, and Fair Housing Plan. Through the development of these plans and policies, as well as other dialogue and discussions in Town, we can work towards building a consensus around an approach to housing that is right for Wellesley. Also, because many other municipalities are struggling with these issues, we can evaluate the impacts of steps they have taken in determining the approach that is right for us.
As a Select Board Member, I will advance plans and policies that will expand access to housing in Wellesley by diversifying housing options and bringing more housing to neighborhoods in Town that are appropriate for higher population density because I believe that this diversity will benefit all residents of our Town. Increasing housing options will benefit all of those in our Town who are affected by the high cost of housing. Increasing housing stock will exert downward pressure on the rate at which the cost of housing is increasing, and increasing the diversity of housing options will allow for a more efficient allocation of the housing stock in addition to providing our residents with housing options that meet their actual needs. For example, empty nesters who downsize to a smaller home open up homes with space for larger families to those who wish to move here to join our thriving Town and avail themselves of our excellent schools.
This expansion of access to housing options must be balanced, however, with the capacities of our first responders, schools, roads, and civic infrastructure and the impacts on existing neighborhoods. I believe that this balance will be best achieved through a transparent, thoughtful analysis and discussion that incorporates the broad range of views our residents have related to housing. Building this consensus will allow us to more systematically evaluate various housing options and to ensure that they are consistent with our shared vision for future development.
TSR: What are the pluses and minuses of the town government being so decentralized?
Michael Tauer: Wellesley’s uniquely decentralized form of government presents a number of advantages and disadvantages that significantly impact the functioning of our government, the participation of residents in our government, and the lines of communication between our residents and those working in Town government.
The division of our Town government’s executive functions into our various boards and committees allows our residents to gravitate toward those topics and issues that interest them or in which they have a particular expertise. We are fortunate in Wellesley to have residents with tremendous amounts of talent, expertise, dedication, and enthusiasm. The distillation of this passion and experience into discrete areas allows our boards and committees to function at a very high level and to be staffed by volunteers with a genuine focus on the subject matter of that committee. This specialization, combined with the terms governing the tenures of those who serve on our boards and committees, allows for a constant infusion of new faces, fresh ideas, current scholarship, and best practices.
In addition, the discretion afforded to each of our boards and committees means that the residents who serve on them have the opportunity to make a direct and substantive impact on our town. Many of those who volunteer to serve the Town are otherwise quite busy and may be disinclined to dedicate the time and attention required to serve in Town government if they felt as though they had a limited ability to make a meaningful difference. Further, decentralization helps prevent the concentration of power or authority in any given board or person.
On the other hand, decentralization can reduce the efficiency with which our government functions and can slow down the decision-making process. Although proceeding at a measured, deliberate pace is prudent and necessary when making big decisions and certainly when spending taxpayer money, reduced inefficiency can delay the implementation of important initiatives and can frustrate Town residents, who may conclude that our government is not sufficiently nimble to timely address their needs.
In addition, decentralization makes it more difficult for both residents and Town officials to perceive the full scope of what is going on in Town government and complicates the Town’s efforts to provide information to our residents. Because of the relative autonomy with which each of the boards and committees operates, there is a range of methods and frequencies of relaying information about what is going on in Town. This challenge is exacerbated by the decrease in local media coverage of the inner workings of Town government. Finally, having paid Town officials report directly to the various boards and committees can create inconsistent reporting mechanisms across Town, interfere with Town-wide operations, and sow uncertainty though the turnover of the volunteers staffing the boards and committees.
TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?
Michael Tauer: My favorite part of the election process has been getting to know so many Town residents, hearing their perspectives, and receiving their feedback. I am eager to connect with as many of my fellow residents as possible so that, on the Select Board, I can share their views and represent their interests. To learn more about me, my campaign, my priorities, or my vision for Wellesley, please visit ElectMichaelTauer.com.
Please also feel free to email me at electmichaeltauer@pobox.com. I would love to hear from you!
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