Wellesley will hold a Special Election on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to fill a seat on the Board of Selectmen vacated by Jack Morgan, who resigned in May because he was moving out of town.

A new member will be elected in September for a term to expire at the next Annual Town Election on March 2, 2021.

In an email to The Swellesley Report, Gwen Baker has announced her candidacy for the seat. Baker says:

I am announcing my candidacy for the open Selectman seat on September 1 st .

I am a 27-year resident of Wellesley. I currently serve on Town Meeting and have served Town Meeting for Precinct A and served on the Celebrations Committee. I love and care about Wellesley.

I bring 25 years of business experience as an owner of an insurance and investment management company, a business based out of Wellesley since its founding 25 years ago that has grown into a national business. My two adult married sons are partners, running day-to- day operations. Prior to that I worked at Community Newspapers all over the western suburbs covering education and other town issues including The Townsman.

I feel like I have been part of the “silent majority” in Wellesley of people working, raising families and often too busy to participate in local government. I would like to engage more Wellesley citizens to share their concerns and thoughts about the town. Many people I spoke to had concerns that were not always reflected in Town Meeting or the in media.

As many others would agree, during the past four months of being “grounded” from COVID, home has become more important than ever. Like many Wellesley working professionals, I traveled all over the country prior to the shutdown. But in the end Wellesley is home and there is no place like home. Driving into Wellesley from Rte. 30 and Weston Road from the airport on many late nights I was always struck by the peace, quiet, tranquility, and beauty of our town with well-kept homes with beautiful lawns, trees and landscaping.

I have traveled extensively for business and I’ve seen how successful entrepreneurs and families have built their assets, spending time in some of the largest cities and visiting our clients in their homes and businesses all over the USA.

Managing a town, the size of Wellesley approximately 28,000 residents of all ages, and a budget of $181,579,453 (FY2021) requires business and life experience that I can bring.

I want to be able to maintain the town’s unique character, beauty and desirability, and sound property values. For most people their home is their most significant financial asset. They want to maintain their homes along with good schools through sound financial management and reasonable taxes.

As a Town Meeting member I observed several issues : the restructuring and renovation of the schools, decision of what to do with the North 40, and more affordable housing in Wellesley.

We have many Seniors in our town and many would like to age in place in Wellesley. We have many parents of school aged children.

Our struggling business district demands attention. Shops, restaurants, commercial office space and all the businesses in between serve both Wellesley and out of town residents. Businesses provide higher tax revenue.

Every constituency and their concerns must all be addressed.

Wellesley will hold a Special Election on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to fill a seat on the Board of Selectmen vacated by Jack Morgan, who resigned in May because he was moving out of town.

A new member will be elected in September for a term to expire at the next Annual Town Election on March 2, 2021.

In an email to The Swellesley Report, Colette Aufranc has announced her candidacy for the seat. Aufranc says:

Wellesley faces unprecedented challenges as we navigate a period of continued uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, social change in response to racial discrimination, and ongoing climate disruption. In this difficult environment, Wellesley must manage its strategic initiatives, including building new elementary schools, developing new housing opportunities, and managing long term obligations in a fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible way. The skills I bring as an accountant, experienced town volunteer, involved resident, and a proven leader and collaborator leave me well suited to become an effective member of the Board.

I moved to Wellesley in 1998. My husband grew up here and we have two children, one at Wellesley High School and one a college freshman in the fall. I am a Chartered Accountant and worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers for twelve years in the UK and the US.

I currently serve as Chair of Wellesley’s Audit Committee and as a Town Meeting Member. Audit Committee has given me valuable experience with municipal financial reporting, the town’s financial position, capital plan, pension and other employee obligations. My Town Meeting experience is critical in understanding how our Town government works.

I have been very engaged in other civic activities. Since 2006 I have been a neighborhood representative in the redevelopment of Linden Square, working with town boards and executives, and the developers on lighting, traffic, noise, parking, pedestrian safety, and landscaping.  I have supported our schools as treasurer of Sprague PTO (2010-2012), treasurer of Central Council of PTOs (2011-2015) and as Co-President of Wellesley High School PTSO (2018-2019).  I also serve as the treasurer for Sustainable Wellesley, and have sat on interview committees for Wellesley Public Schools’ central office and guidance staff.  I have a history of cooperative, constructive and respectful engagement with the people and organizations I have worked with.

As a Selectman I would always focus on the long-term benefit to the Town, and the interests of all community members.  Visit www.electcoletteaufranc.com to learn more.

I respectfully ask for your vote on September 1st.

Colette Aufranc
Hill Top Road

More: Wellesley gets very fancy with Board of Selectmen special election ballot drawing

Wellesley’s local election will take place today (Saturday, June 13, 2020). In-person voting for ALL precincts will be held 8am – noon at the Babson College Recreation and Athletic Center, 3 Babson College Dr.

Residents are being asked to vote for candidates to serve on the Town’s 11 Boards and Committees.

Four of the races are contested —  Moderator; Board of Selectmen; Board of Public Works; and School Committee.

For your convenience, here is a link to a round-up of all the Wellesley candidates and their Q&A’s.

In addition, there is a non-binding referendum question on the ballot:

Non-binding referendum question:

Do you believe the Town of Wellesley should keep our current 7 neighborhood elementary school model by rebuilding and/or renovating the Hardy, Hunnewell and Upham Elementary Schools, instead of closing one school and redistricting all of our elementary students into 6 schools? Please vote YES or NO. A  YES vote would advise the Town of Wellesley to retain our current neighborhood school model by renovating and/or rebuilding the Hardy, Hunnewell and Upham Elementary Schools. A  NO vote would advise the Town of Wellesley to close either Hardy Elementary School or Upham Elementary School, without voter input on which school to close, and to re-district all our town’s elementary students into six schools.

This Wellesley election post is sponsored by the Lauren Duprey for School Committee campaign.

Wellesley’s local election will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2020. In-person voting for ALL precincts will be held 8am – noon at the Babson College Recreation and Athletic Center, 3 Babson College Dr. The college’s new gym is enormous, which will keep social distancing easy, and there is plenty of parking at the site.

Early voting by mail is strongly encouraged.