More papers pulled for Wellesley town-wide offices: Rec & Natural Resources Commission now have candidates
Another week, another batch of candidates for Wellesley town-wide offices, including two commissions for which papers hadn’t been pulled as of our previous check-in on the morning of Dec. 11. Here’s an update on candidates who have pulled papers as of the morning of Dec. 18.
The Recreation Commission now has two candidates for two 3-year terms. Incumbent Laurance Stuntz seeks re-election, and Nathalie de Fontnouvelle have each pulled papers for this town body whose mission is “to increase people’s enjoyment of living in Wellesley and build a deeper sense of community, as we provide recreational and educational opportunities to all Wellesley residents, regardless of age, ability & means.”
Stuntz writes: “I’m seeking reelection for a third term because I’m excited to support our excellent Recreation Department as we expand our partnerships with other Town organizations and develop new programs for residents. Importantly, we expect to be working with the Natural Resources Commission to complete the design and the build of the Morses Pond bath house redevelopment. As a project that received overwhelming support at Town Meeting in 2023, I look forward to seeing it to completion as a crown jewel for the Town that we can all be proud of.”
(de Fontnouvelle is busy collecting signatures and expects to check back in with us in January.)
The Natural Resources Commission now also has two candidates for one three-year term. Lisa Gieger and Thomas Hammond have stepped forward to try to fill this slot. Lisa Collins’s term expires in March on this board, whose mission is “provide stewardship of, education about, and advocacy for the Town of Wellesley’s parks, conservation, recreation and open space areas so the full value of the Town’s natural assets can be passed onto future generations.”
Gieger has been busy in recent months promoting “Skip the Stuff,” a concept that would, via an Annual Town Meeting article, put in place bylaw amendments to establish customer opt-in for single-use serviceware and single serving packaged condiments.
Hammond served on NRC from 1992-1996, including as chairman from 1993-1994 (he also served as chair of the Pesticide Study Committee from 1992-1995). While his job responsibilities didn’t allow him to continue in town government after that, he has retired and is now back at it. “One point that I believe needs to be made and that is that too many special interests want to avoid broad policies that were put in place to protect our water and our vacant land,” he writes. “As an NRC member I would work to promote the protection of our open space and passive recreation areas as well as our drinking water.”
Other prominent boards also have new candidates.
Odessa Sanchez has entered the Select Board race, which also includes Kenneth Largess and Michael Tauer. One 3-year term is up for grabs for the town’s chief executive board.
Sanchez has run for the Board in the past, and currently serves as chair of the Wellesley Housing Authority Board. She’s also the varsity cheerleading coach at Wellesley High School.
Illana Nissenbaum has pulled papers for both 3- and 1-year terms on the School Committee, though will need to make a choice come ballot time. Incumbent Sharon Clarke looks to win the 1-year seat. David Bower had earlier pulled papers for the 3-year seat.
No papers have been pulled yet for one 3-year term on the Board of Assessors. Current chair Stephen Mahoney’s term expires in March.
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. The annual Town Election is slated for March 4, 2025.
