Nomination papers available now for Wellesley town-wide offices, Town Meeting

Tom Ulfelder seeks re-election to Wellesley Board of Selectmen

Building our way to a more sustainable future

Redistricting forum for Wellesley schools

Mindfulness in Daily Life community discussion

Community viewing and conversation of PBS documentary “RACE – The Power of Illusion”

Demystifying Healthcare Reform discussion

Here are the offices on the 2020 ballot:

Here are the offices on the 2020 ballot:

Wellesley Town Hall, winter 2019 — Wellesley Town Hall

Nomination papers for candidates seeking office in Wellesley’s upcoming March 17, 2020 town-wide election are available now from the Town Clerk’s Office, with instructions on the specific number of certified signatures needed.

For Town-wide offices, the deadline to pull papers is January 24, 2020 at 5pm. Papers must be returned by January 28, 2020 at 5pm.

For Town Meeting Member positions, the deadline to pull papers is February 7, 2020 at 5pm Papers must be returned by February 11, 2020 at 5pm.

The Town of Wellesley depends on the active participation of its citizens in governance of the town. Wellesley has 11 Boards and Committees elected at the Annual Town election each year in March. The seats on these boards are staggered so that one or two seats are elected each year for 3 year terms. (Planning and Housing are 5 year terms).

Wellesley also has a representative Town Meeting for 240 members elected by voting precinct. Town Meeting Members have staggered three year terms so 10 are elected each year from each precinct. Town Meeting meets in March/April to vote on operating budgets, capital expenditures and bylaws for the town.

Wellesley Election 2020

Please call town clerk KC Kato at 781-431-1019 ext. 2250 if you have any questions about running for municipal office.

More local election information here on important dates, signatures needed, general rules.

I am announcing my candidacy for re-election to the Board of Selectmen in the election on March 17, 2020. It would be a privilege to continue to serve the Town.

I serve currently as the Vice Chair of the Board of Selectmen and the School Building Committee. I served a two-year term on the Sustainable Energy Committee and I continue to serve as a Town Meeting Member.

During my first term, the Selectmen worked with the Planning Board to produce the Town’s first Housing Production Plan. The Unified Plan has been approved and offers an opportunity to select initiatives that can move forward. Residential units have been approved at the Wellesley Office Park, and I successfully negotiated beneficial electrification rather than the use of fossil fuel for the development thereby reducing carbon emissions while increasing revenue for the Municipal Light Plant. I advocated strongly for the construction of a net zero ready Hunnewell School and the Hardy-Upham school as well. The proposed Hunnewell School design achieves this goal and serves as a model for future municipal building.

Three years ago we faced the selection of a new Executive Director and Police Chief. Chief Pilecki now serves the Town with distinction and the Selectmen secured the return of Meghan Jop, a long-term Town employee who is a highly valued member of the staff.

We are looking for new ways to approach the budget to ensure an excellent education for our children and a continued high level of Town services while assessing the tax impact of both the operating budget and long-term capital plan. Wellesley faces a number of important capital projects. Carefully prioritizing the projects while considering tax impact is crucial to welcoming new families and supporting our senior population who wish to remain. The Housing Production Plan is a guide for decisions that encourage housing for our older population, options to downsize, increased diversity, and housing for the middle income work force who contribute to a vibrant and balanced community.

Wellesley faces important questions regarding economic development. New opportunities for tax revenue, commercial growth, and residential construction must be balanced with an overall vision for our Town. The Selectmen must engage the Town to determine the best path forward and this must start with an extensive public deliberation through which the Selectmen can have confidence in making choices that will shape our Town and our future quality of life.

I ask for your support and your vote on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 for a second term on the Board of Selectmen.

Thomas Ulfelder

Candidates are welcome to send election/re-election letters to: [email protected]

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