Candidates have begun pulling papers for Wellesley’s town-wide offices, though as of Wednesday morning, no one had done so for one seat on the Natural Resources Commission and two on the Recreation Commission. The annual Town Election is slated for March 4, 2025.
Kenneth Largess and Michael Tauer have both pulled papers for an opening on the Select Board (incumbent Lise Olney is not running for re-election).
Tauer, who serves as chair of the town’s Permanent Building Committee, recently submitted a letter to the editor in which he states that “practical, hands-on experiences in the legal, business, and non-profit worlds and my experience on the PBC have prepared me to serve on the Select Board.”
Largess plans to submit a letter to the editor as well, but in an email exchange with us he pointed to his current role as an Advisory Committee liaison to the Select Board: “I have gained firsthand insight into how the Board operates and the key issues it addresses.” Largess cites his involvement in local government and community initiatives (schools, sports), and says he’ll bring a “different perspective than many current Board members.”
The School Committee has two openings, one three-year term and a one-year term. David Bower has pulled papers for the three-year term; Bower was a candidate earlier this year for an interim seat after member Catherine Mirick moved out of town before her term expired.
Craig Mack’s three-year term expires in March, as does the interim term of Sharon Clarke, who was appointed to replace Mirick. (See a list of all elected town-wide offices, with term expiration dates.)
For the Board of Health, Linda Oliver Grape seeks re-election, and Yashira Pepin has entered the race for one open seat.
Pepin is also taking a shot at an opening on the Planning Board, which has one seat up for grabs. Incumbent Tom Taylor seeks re-election to the Board.
A number of other incumbents seek re-election and as of yet have no competitors.
Mark Kaplan seeks re-election as Town Moderator, a position that involves making appointments to committees and overseeing Town Meeting.
Ann Howley and Marla Robinson seek re-election to the Library Board of Trustees. Incumbent Ellen Korpi looks to continue with the Board of Public Works.
No candidates have filed papers for the two openings on the Recreation Commission. Terms for John Lanza and Laurance Stuntz expire in 2025.
There’s still time for candidates to step forward. Nomination papers for Wellesley’s town-wide offices and Town Meeting member seats became available on Dec. 4.
Pull papers at the Town Clerk’s office, located at 888 Worcester Street, Suite 140 until Dec. 18. As of Dec. 26, nomination papers will be available at the reopened Town Hall building at 525 Washington St.
Nomination papers must be returned by 5 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2025.
