Meet the 2025 candidates for Wellesley Recreation Commission
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 two open 3-year terms on the Recreation Commission. The 5-member Commission meets regularly to review policy, programs, procedures and the fee structure of the programs it offers year-round. Rec’s mission statement 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, and means.”
The Recreation Commission 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 this post in the order in which their names appear on the ballot.
Laurance Stuntz
The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.
Laurance Stuntz: My name is Laurance Stuntz, and I am honored to be running for re-election to the Wellesley Recreation Commission. I moved here in 2001 with my wife Christine and we sent our three kids to Sprague, the Middle School, and the High School, with the oldest (Ryan) graduating in 2014, Luke in 2017, and Kate in 2021. Over the years we used the programming from Rec for all of our kids, getting passes at Morses Pond in the summer time and sending them on the bus to ski at Nashoba in the winter, among other activities.
I was a Town Meeting member starting in 2015, and then decided to run for the Commission in 2018. Since joining the Commission, I have been committed to enhancing our town’s recreational spaces and programs to better serve our community.
As Chair of the Playing Fields Task Force since 2019, I have worked to improve our town’s athletic facilities, including helping to bring lights to the high school track and field and streamlining the field permitting process for youth groups.
Outside of town, I currently work for a Seattle-based healthcare technology company (Xealth) and have been in the health tech field for the past 25 years, including about 10 years working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Director of the Massachusetts eHealth Institute. For fun, I enjoy bike touring (much more possible now that our kids are older), cooking meals for family and friends, and DIY projects around the house
TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Recreation Commissioner?
Laurance Stuntz: Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunity to continue this work and take on new challenges. My top priorities for the next three years are:
1. Make access to Morses Pond free for Wellesley residents, ensuring that everyone in our community can enjoy this natural resource without financial barriers. We don’t charge people to use the library in town, and we shouldn’t charge people to use the beach and the pond. This can be done without tax impact by allocating the funding that Rec raises through the fees that we charge for all of our programming to cover our costs.
2. Leverage our new revolving fund to build programs that support new community engagement opportunities across budget years. Recreation is different than many of the Commissions in town in that we generate revenue from our programming, and the revolving fund will give us the ability to plan for and support long term initiatives rather than simply returning the money that our programs make to the Town’s general fund.
3. Continue supporting the land-owning Boards and Commissions across town to increase opportunities for active recreation in town. Our work leading the early stages of the Morses Pond beachfront redesign, and our work on the pickleball siting studies, are examples of projects that we’ve spearheaded over the past few years, but it is clear to me that for these projects to come to fruition, the land owners, whether the Natural Resources, School Committee, Board of Public Works, or the Select Board, need to be the primary advocate for any significant capital projects. Recreation can, and will, support these projects.
TSR: How important is it for the town to get the Morses Pond beach and bath house project going?
Laurance Stuntz: Recreation, in collaboration with partners all across town, and with significant funding from the Community Preservation Commission, has been working to develop a Morses Pond master plan and feasibility for the past five years. This most recently culminated in the approval of CPC funds at 2024 Annual Town Meeting to conduct the Design Study.
Hundreds of people have provided input over the years and there have been many public meetings and Board meetings to review and refine designs. That history is all documented on the Recreation Commission’s web site. At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting, more than 96% of our representatives (170 to 7) voted to approve funding for the Design Study.
At this point, pre-detailed design, we have a planned estimated cost to build the project of approximately $6 million once the detailed design is complete. This cost is split into approximately ⅓ for the building itself (~$2.1m), ⅓ for site work, and ⅓ for “soft costs” such as project management, contractor profit, contingencies, etc. A major component of these soft costs, more than $900,000, is based on the escalation in prices from when we completed the Feasibility Study in 2021 to a planned summer start for building in 2026. Further delay will only increase these costs at an estimated 7.5%/year.
At this point, the Town has a design that has gone through extensive review and been approved by more than 96% of Town Meeting members. We should move as quickly as possible to get the project done so that it doesn’t continue to escalate in price.
I will also point out that one of my opponents in this race, Nathalie de Fontnouvelle, was one of the seven town meeting members to vote against approving the design funds for this much needed project. I would hope she will explain her position in this forum.
TSR: The town completed a study on field and court utilization in 2023. Where should Wellesley’s priorities be in addressing field and court demand?
Laurance Stuntz: The field and court utilization study pointed out that our current playing fields are at maximum capacity for well maintained fields, and the existing youth and recreational groups often have to rent outside fields to meet their demand. There are not very many “ideal” places to build new, full size, rectangular playing fields in town, but the town should be sure to consider using spaces like the North 40 or expanding use at the High School Track and Field under the lights.
I would highlight that while Recreation can and should be involved in identifying needs and developing plans, we do not own any of the land in town, so we should look to those land-owning Boards to develop the detailed plans for any additional fields and courts. This process is currently working well with the NRC’s proposal to add pickleball courts as part of the Hunnewell Tennis Court renovation—a project that I support as proposed by the NRC.
TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?
Laurance Stuntz:: Email me at laurance@stuntz.org and we’ll set up time to talk—I’m happy to meet up to answer questions about my priorities and to understand any concerns or ideas you might have about the direction that the Commission is taking.
Nathalie de Fontnouvelle
The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.
Nathalie de Fontnouvelle: I have been a Wellesley resident for almost 25 years. I am seeking election for the Recreation Commission to support our Recreation Department which is the founding block of our community. The recreational activities indoors and outdoors are crucial for our physical and mental well-being. I am looking forward to contributing to the long term plans to protect our open space and provide more and new opportunities for our entire community to gather and engage in fulfilling activities.
I am looking forward to collaborating with Town Committees, especially with the NRC, Sustainable Wellesley, Friends of the North 40, Building a Better Wellesley, Climate Action Committee and the schools and PTOs. Together we can integrate recreation into broader town planning and development efforts. Basically, I am driven by the desire to strengthen our sense of community and meet our long term environmental goals. The Recreation Department is the only one that offers activities for all of us. It is truly the only one that brings us together to share activities together and learn new ones. As a Committee Member I would explore more opportunities to ensure that our residents feel connected to each other and connected to our neighboring towns. Our community involvement is key to the success of the Recreation Department!
Being an empty nester and not currently working, I will be devoting all my attention to support the Recreation Commission in their mission, and will be attentively listening to the recreational needs of our Town. If elected, I would be the only woman on the Recreation Commission!
TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Recreation Commissioner?
Nathalie de Fontnouvelle: To encourage our residents to lower their greenhouse emissions, we could invest in more bike racks (there are very few downtown, Linden Shopping Mall and MOPO). The town is in process of developing safe walking and biking pathways to recreational areas and schools to reduce vehicle emissions. The town is also looking into increasing school bus ridership.
I would like to include our local businesses in sponsoring activities that would be mutually beneficial. For example, there are some initiatives where groups of volunteers gather on a regular basis to pick up trash in the parks and woods, and as a “reward” some businesses offer to those participants a coupon (via QRcode) for an ice-cream, a coffee… whatever it may be. Another example, some businesses could sponsor our urban canopy cover and create more vibrant green spaces that benefit both residents and the environment. Getting our business community involved in beautifying our town could be a fruitful project. Businesses could also sponsor some activities or competitions, giving them more visibility, and the opportunity to show that they are part of our community. We could highlight participating businesses through local media and community events. We would therefore enhance recreation, boost local economies and ensure long-term resource sustainability all at once!
I am eager to brainstorm ideas on how to provide healthy and enriching opportunities to our teenagers. It is depressing to see them hang out in stores! At a recent School Committee meeting, I heard the alarming findings of Metro West Adolescent Health Survey reporting elevated levels of stress, anxiety and substance abuse among our middle and high schoolers. How can we provide more safe spaces and activities? Could we have joint programs with abutting towns? I am interested in further exploring partnerships with the Parks and Recreation Commissions of nearby towns to coordinate new programs and expand our sense of community. Our teenagers would make more friends from a variety of backgrounds. By collaborating with other local towns we can integrate recreational planning into broader sustainable land use strategies, ensuring alignment with long term environmental goals. These measures also enhance the wider community’s quality of life by creating greener, more efficient and accessible recreational spaces.
I am dedicated to maintaining and improving our local parks, making them more attractive and functional. It would be great to have a public park that would bring families and community members together, fostering stronger social bonds. I realize we currently do not have the space to develop a public park, but it is something to think about and discuss. Well managed facilities and parks can also attract visitors and boost businesses. By offering more local and family oriented activities, we would reduce our use of cars and also strengthen our social fabric, which is the ultimate goal of the Recreation Department.
TSR: How important is it for the town to get the Morses Pond beach and bath house project going?
Nathalie de Fontnouvelle: The Recreation Department is looking into building a new beach house at MOPO. This is a very challenging project. I am eager to dive more deeply into the feasibility of this proposed construction. There are many factors to carefully consider: environmental impact, protecting our wilderness (which is shrinking fast), maintenance costs, return on investment, projected increase in beach attendance, accessibility… The Recreation Department provides outstanding staffing and activities at MOPO over the summer, and I am interested in exploring how we could attract more beach goers off season. On a side note, my husband and I swim at MOPO almost 8 months per year, and our thickest wetsuit is 7mm. Maybe we could consider starting a wetsuit swim club! I would like to pursue creative ideas to expand all year round accessibility to MOPO.
MOPO and its surroundings, the beautiful woods and paths, are our town’s treasure. I noticed that most MOPO users are young families. It would be great to broaden the scope of attendees. For example, how can we attract the empty nesters? How can we attract our seniors? Wellesley residents have many fitness options (private studios, healthclubs…) and they might be overlooking the benefits of exercising outdoors at MOPO. I am interested in reaching out to the COA for example to see how we could attract our seniors. It would not only be beneficial for their physical health, but it would be an opportunity to socialize more. Why not offer Yoga classes on the beach followed by a swim and a walk in the woods. The Recreation Department is very creative and is always offering new interesting classes for all age groups.
TSR: The town completed a study on field and court utilization in 2023. Where should Wellesley’s priorities be in addressing field and court demand?
Nathalie de Fontnouvelle: The Recreation Department has been working very hard in finding a solution to offer our residents field and court utilization that are satisfactory to all concerning parties (NRC, DPW, neighbors, schools, and more). Our sports teams and residents now have access to great fields and courts, and they are being improved and adjusted to the growing needs. The latest achievement is having found a solution to building Pickle Ball courts adjacent to the tennis courts. Mass Bay is also looking into building Pickle Ball courts on their parking lot. The Recreation Department is very committed in providing the best athletic fields and courts to our school teams and residents. They have been working tirelessly to provide the best facilities.
TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?
Nathalie de Fontnouvelle: wellesley.nathalie@gmail.com
Garfield Miller
TSR: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.
Garfield Miller: Hello, fellow residents of Wellesley, my name is Garfield Miller, and I am a candidate for the Recreation Commission. First, thank you for taking the time to engage in local issues. I believe being an active member of society at a local level is more important than ever in today’s political environment.
The mission statement of the recreation department 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
Based on the statement above I believe I would be an excellent fit for the Recreation Commission. I am proud father of three young children attending Wellesley Public Schools. The youngest attends the Child Lab at the high school and I have a kindergartener and second grader at Hunnewell. My wife, children and I are all avid participants in recreational activities in Wellesley and elsewhere. I also volunteer at Tolles Parsons Senior Center, coach for a competitive youth ski racing program and I am a member of a fishing club among many other recreational endeavors.
The experiences I mentioned above have enlightened me to the fact that recreational opportunities are important for improving quality of life & for bringing people together across generations, backgrounds, and abilities. I feel I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that recreational and educational programs can have on individuals and families and help them appreciate teamwork, nature and work ethics.
Matt Chin, the director of the Recreation Department, and some of his staff were gracious enough to take time out of their day to speak with me. The first thing I told them as a power user of recreation facilities and programming is that I believe the recreation department is doing a great job! I learned from that conversation that I could be the most helpful to them by focusing on core programming and doing what I can to facilitate more access to these opportunities. Core programs benefit young people, adults and seniors. They leverage town resources and require a small fee – and from what I understand – they create a financial surplus. These surplus funds can be used for other recreational improvements such as financial support for those in need and facility improvements.
In summary:
1. I am a recreation advocate, and my family are heavy users of Wellesley rec programs and facilities, in addition to volunteering at Tolles Parsons I coach youth ski racing, and I am a member of a fishing club.
2. I have met with the director of rec Matt Chin and would like to help him focus on core programming servicing multiple generations.
3. Let’s focus on what Rec can control. This is good for both Recreation and the other town committees who have final authority and are involved in stalled initiatives.
TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Recreation Commissioner?
Garfield Miller: As a candidate for the Recreation Commission, my primary goal is to enhance the recreational opportunities available to all Wellesley residents, while ensuring that our programs remain accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. My vision is to build upon the great work already being done by the Recreation Department and work toward creating even more opportunities for community engagement and participation.
Focusing on Core Programming – One of my key objectives will be to support and expand the core programs that are already a vital part of Wellesley’s recreational offerings. These programs serve a wide range of age groups and abilities, from young children to seniors, and they play a crucial role in bringing our community together. By focusing on these core initiatives, we can continue to generate a financial surplus that can be reinvested into other programs and improvements. I strongly believe that we should prioritize programs that benefit the broadest segments of our population while making sure that no one is excluded due to financial barriers.
Expanding Access – Another area of focus will be making our recreational opportunities more inclusive. As a parent of three young children, a volunteer at Tolles Parsons and an active participant in Wellesley’s recreational activities, I understand firsthand the importance of ensuring that all residents have access to these programs, regardless of age, ability, or income level. I will advocate for expanding access to underserved groups and increasing financial support for those who may need assistance to participate. Ensuring that every resident can enjoy the benefits of recreation is a cornerstone of the Recreation Department’s mission, and I will work to make this a reality for even more members of our community.
Collaboration with Other Town Committees – Finally, I believe in the importance of collaboration with other town committees and organizations. There are many ongoing initiatives and projects in Wellesley that benefit from coordinated efforts across various departments. I will focus on working with other town committees to help move stalled initiatives forward and ensure that the Recreation Department’s goals align with broader community priorities. By fostering communication and collaboration, we can achieve more efficient, impactful results for the town.
TSR: How important is it for the town to get the Morses Pond beach and bath house project going?
Garfield Miller: I believe it is very important and support an updated beach and bath house at Morses pond so long as it is done in a fiscally and environmentally responsible way. Morses Pond is a key recreational space for the town of Wellesley. An updated or improved beach and bathhouse can provide the community with better access to outdoor activities, swimming, and general enjoyment of nature. I also think good facilities can improve residents’ quality of life and support mental and physical health.
TSR: The town completed a study on field and court utilization in 2023. Where should Wellesley’s priorities be in addressing field and court demand?
Garfield Miller: Wellesley’s priorities should focus on expanding rectangular field availability and addressing pickleball court demand. Additionally, improving the permitting process and reservation system, and enhancing the overall infrastructure for both fields and courts should be considered priorities. By balancing usage, investing in drainage, lighting and other infrastructure, the town can better meet the growing demand for recreational space while ensuring that all users have fair access to facilities. Finally, as someone who lives near the high school football field and is impacted by events there, I know it is important to consider neighborhood concerns.
TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?
Please email me at garfmiller@gmail.com
More: Meet the 2025 Wellesley Select Board candidates
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