Kenny Largess scored a narrow win—by fewer than 100 votes—over fellow attorney Michael Tauer in the Wellesley Select Board race on Tuesday, March 4, according to official results released by the town clerk’s office.

It was a classic example of “your vote matters,” and just 17% of registered voters cast ballots. This was the lowest voter turnout since 2013, when just 7% of registered voters cast ballots during an election without contested town wide races.

In the only other contested town-wide race, with three candidates vying for two open Recreation Commission slots, incumbent Laurance Stuntz and newcomer Garfield Miller earned seats.

Select Board race

Largess, who has been serving as a member of the town’s Advisory Committee, won just over 40% of the vote, and five of eight precincts. He ran on a platform stressing his “independent voice” and that included helping the town realize strategic housing goals through “intelligent development,” keeping a sharp eye on spending, improving communications, and supporting seniors. Largess has been very active in school and youth sports activities during his time in town.

We came across Largess and his son holding signs in front of the Tolles Parsons Center on Tuesday night, with just a couple hours left of open polling places. On Wednesday morning, Largess messaged supporters, thanking them and sharing appreciation for his opponents in the race. “This campaign was always about ensuring that Wellesley’s leadership represents the whole town, especially those whose voices are often unheard,” Largess wrote.

Tauer, a veteran of Wellesley’s Permanent Building Committee, captured about 37% of the vote and the other three precincts. He pledged to take in different points of view and help build consensus if elected.

On Tuesday night, he shared a thank you message to supporters, and wrote “I offer my sincere congratulations to Kenny on his election to the Select Board. I look forward to working with Kenny to make sure that Wellesley continues to thrive.”

A third candidate, Odessa Sanchez, earned 18% of the votes. Sanchez, who serves as chair of the Wellesley Housing Authority Board, emphasized during her Select Board run a focus on providing connectivity of people and places across town.

Rec race & other offices

Rec Commission incumbent Stuntz had the most votes in seven of eight precincts, with Miller narrowly edging him in Precinct C. Candidate Nathalie de Fontnouvelle placed third in the Rec race. Interestingly, Miller did not secure a Town Meeting seat in hotly contested Precinct H.

No drama on the School Committee front this time around. Sharon Clarke, who was appointed last year to complete a term, won a one-year term, and Illana Nissenbaum was elected to fill a three-year term, with outgoing member Craig Mack’s term expiring.

Another notable result: Tom Hammond, who served on the Natural Resources Commission from 1992-1996, won an uncontested seat on that town body nearly 30 years later!

On the Town Meeting front, Royall Switzler returns from his gap year, and was voted in for Precinct C. He’ll look to start a new streak, after having his 61-year one snapped last year.

Congrats to all who ran for office as well as everyone who voted and helped to run the town election.

Post updated 3/5/25 to replace unofficial results with the newly released official ones, and to include post-election communications from candidates.

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Wellesley votes during the annual town-wide election on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Below is information about the election.

Swellesley interviews the candidates for contested races

Meet the Select Board candidates (in ballot order)

• Odessa Sanchez
• Kenneth Largess
• Michael Tauer

Meet the Recreation Commission candidates (in ballot order)

• Laurance Stuntz
• Nathalie de Fontnouvelle
• Garfield Miller

Meet the 2025 candidate for Wellesley School Committee 1-year term

• Sharon Clarke

Plus: Candidates discuss green initiatives at Sustainable Wellesley event

How to vote in person on Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, March 5, 2025. Polls will be open 7am-8pm.

Sample ballots for each precinct can be found here.

Polling locations

Precincts A, C: Upham Elementary School, 35 Wynnewood Road *** NEW LOCATION
Precinct B, Sprague School, 401 School St.
Precincts D, E: Warren Building, 90 Washington Street
Precinct F, G: Dana Hall School, Shipley Center, 142 Grove St.
Precinct H: Tolles Parsons Center, 500 Washington Street

Call the Town Clerk’s office for additional information on any voting question (781-431-1019 ext 2252).

How to cast your Vote-By-Mail ballot by deadline

All Vote by Mail ballots must be received no later than Tuesday, March 4, at 8pm, at Town Hall, 525 Washington St.

OR

Vote by Mail ballots may be returned to the Payment and Elections Drop Box at Town Hall, 525 Washington Street, no later than Tuesday, March 4, at 8pm.

Submitted vote-by-mail ballot at #Wellesley Town Hall drop box: Election Day is Tuesday, March 4 #vote

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— The Swellesley Report (@swellesley.bsky.social) March 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM

At this point, it is too late to send in your Vote by Mail ballot via the United States Postal Service.

Vote by Mail ballots may NOT be dropped off at polling locations.

Contested races and not on Tuesday, March 4, 2025

There are two contested races this year:

• three candidates are running for only one open slot for Select Board
• three candidates are running two open positions on Recreation Commission

Uncontested or not, the School Committee vote is always closely watched. This year, the race is uncontested, with two candidates running for two open positions:

• one School Committee candidate is running for the open 1-year slot
• one School Committee candidate is running for the open 3-year slot

Sample ballots for each precinct can be found here.

Candidates, in ballot order

MODERATOR—vote for ONE for a one-year term

• Mark G. Kaplan

SELECT BOARD—vote for ONE for a three-year term

• Odessa M.B. Sanchez
• Kenneth C. Largess III
• Michael Tauer

BOARD OF ASSESSORS—vote for ONE for a three-year term

• Stephen D. Mahoney

BOARD OF HEALTH—vote for ONE for a three-year term

• Linda Oliver Grape

WELLESLEY LIBRARY TRUSTEES—vote for not more than TWO for three-year terms

• Marla L. Robinson
• Ann Howley

NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION—vote for ONE for a three-year term

• Thomas William Hammond, Jr.

PLANNING BOARD—vote for ONE for a five-year term

• Thomas M. Taylor

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS—vote for ONE for a three-year term

• Ellen Ledley Korpi

RECREATION COMMISSION—vote for not more than TWO for three-year terms

• Laurance N. Stuntz
• Nathalie de Fontnouvelle
• Garfield H. Miller

SCHOOL COMMITTEE—vote for ONE for a three-year term

• Illana S. Nissenbaum

SCHOOL COMMITTEE—vote for ONE for a one-year term

• Sharon J. Clarke

Candidates for Town Meeting 2025

Depending on your precinct, your neighbors might be competing with gusto to serve on Town Meeting (that would be Precinct H, with 16 candidates vying for only 10 open slots), or haven’t been able to produce the numbers needed to fill open positions (as is the case with Precinct G, with only 9 candidates stepping up for the 11 open slots).

See the list of all Town Meeting candidates here.

Please elect to support The Swellesley Report by contributing or by becoming an advertising partner.

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 one candidate running for one open 1-year term and one candidate running for one 3-year-term on the School Committee (see list of all town-wide office candidates). The five-member Committee is made up of local residents. The Committee’s responsibilities are to develop and manage school policies; support the allocation of resources by overseeing budget and facilities; hire and review the superintendent of schools; and advocate for the school district.

The School Committee candidate for the 1-year term is Sharon Clarke and the candidate for the 3-year term is Illana Nissenbaum.

The Swellesley Report invited the candidates to answer a few questions about their priorities for the Town of Wellesley, and here are Clarke’s responses.

The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.

Sharon Clarke: Running for public office, much less School Committee was never an aspiration for me.

Yet, I’ve decided to run for the School Committee because my family has had such a positive and rewarding experience in Wellesley Public Schools, and I want to give back by ensuring that every student and family has access to the same opportunities for success. I believe in supporting our educators, strengthening our schools, and fostering a community where all students can thrive.

Like many Wellesley families, our family moved to Wellesley for its schools, 8 years ago. We have two children, one at WMS and one at WHS. Both children attended Schofield Elementary School where I was active in the Schofield PTO and in the community as a girl scout troop co-leader. From a community perspective, I was on the board the Wellesley Education Foundation and I am currently a board member of the Wellesley chapter of National Charity League.

For the past 9 months, I have been on the School Committee, appointed last spring to fill an open seat.

I believe these experiences provide me with a variety of viewpoints of the school system, its successes, challenges and opportunities. These perspectives coupled with my education and work experience in leadership development and organizational effectiveness have been and will be beneficial in making decisions that affect the district leadership, policy work and community engagement to achieve the goals set forth in the district strategic plan.

The School Committee’s priority, of course, is our students’ academic success and learning outcomes. But now, more than ever, I believe that school success needs to include the foundation and skills to be independent and critical thinkers who can connect, discuss, reason, and dissent with respect, confidence and the courage of convictions. I believe this is achieved through a challenging curriculum, supportive school environment, and caring school relationships.

Some of my priorities include: implementing more feedback mechanisms in the district, increased community engagement, and advocating for resources from struggling learners and those who may not be challenged enough.

I appreciate all the community support and look forward to working pragmatically and collaboratively with the community this year!

TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your tenure as a School Committee member?

Sharon Clarke: Overall, I hope to continue to refine our metrics so we are able to more accurately define our goals and positively drive change to improve student outcomes, especially where inequities exist. Additionally, I’d like to feel more confident that we have assessed and allocated mental health staff, services and resources to address the growing demands in this area.

TSR: Are Wellesley’s schools keeping up with those in our peer districts? In what ways are we ahead or behind?

Sharon Clarke: Wellesley schools are performing well relative to its peers, maintaining a position in the top tier of districts in the area. While precise comparisons to neighboring school districts should be made with caution, they can serve as a valuable barometer for assessing our strengths, identifying areas for growth, and ensuring we remain competitive in providing high-quality education for all students. Continued attention should be paid to ELA performance, performance among subgroups, and enrollment trends to maintain and enhance its standing.

TSR: How can Wellesley Public Schools rein in its budget going forward while still supporting new initiatives and higher educator salaries?

Sharon Clarke: WPS can evaluate for underutilized programs and reallocate resources to high-impact initiatives. I believe that analyzing and reducing administrative overhead, where possible, to preserve classroom funding is essential. With continued partnering with Wellesley’s Climate Action Committee, WPS can look to reduce operational costs through continued assessment of energy and water usage and seek funding from state, federal, and private grants to support innovative programs.

TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?

Sharon Clarke: sharon@perfectcurve.com

More: 

• Meet the 2025 Wellesley Select Board candidates
• Meet the 2025 Wellesley Recreation Commission candidates

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:

• Laurance Stuntz
• Nathalie de Fontnouvelle
• Garfield Miller

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

YES, I elect to sign up for Swellesley’s free weekday email newsletter

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 one open three-year term on the Select Board, which serves as the chief executive board of the Town, and as such, oversees all matters affecting the interest and welfare of the community. The five-member Board exercises the authority vested in the Town not specifically assigned by law to any other board or office.

The Select Board candidates, in ballot order, are:

• Odessa Sanchez
• Kenneth C. Largess III
• Michael Tauer

The Swellesley Report invited the candidates to answer a few questions about their priorities for the Town of Wellesley.

Candidate interviews appear in ballot order.

Odessa Sanchez

The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.

Odessa Sanchez: I’m Odessa Sanchez, and I have a long list of life experiences gained by studying and working in several fields and organizations. Among those roles, I’m also a proud grandmother, cheer coach, teacher’s aid, and dedicated local volunteer. The next role I’m suited for is honored Select Board member elect.

I grew up in Newton, but Wellesley is where I established deep roots for my family over the last 16 years. I’ve modeled my large family to be constant contributors to this community through various public school activities, sports and acts of service and kindness.

Wellesley is where we work, live and go to school. My neighbors know me from my active roles as PTO secretary at Fiske, Multi Culture Festival Committee member, School Council Parent at Wellesley High, POP Parent volunteer, and SJSP Collaborative Council Member.

I love Wellesley for its beautiful landscapes, academic pride, and endless volunteer opportunities. Wellesley is a great town, but I want to make it better however I can. I am skilled at working with people from all walks of life. I’ve practiced leading and collaborating on committees, with members with different viewpoints than mine, and I actively speak and listen to the people to find out what Wellesley may need.

A few strengths I would bring to the Select Board is an outstanding track record of dedicated service and the ability to work hard and lend my talents to each group I encountered. Another strength is I have the time and flexibility to be fully committed to this new role. I only work in Wellesley, so my commute is a short walk to Town Hall.

I was elected to represent Precinct E as a Town Meeting Member, and I have a perfect record of attendance. My community voted for me to represent them so it’s important to attend, testify, and cast votes.

I was also elected to be a commissioner on the Wellesley Housing Authority Board and I am currently the Chair. I’ve learned to review capital projects and monthly financial statements. I’ve also gained experience drafting and reviewing policies and public housing notices that impact the lives of our residents.

I consider myself a proven leader and approved elected official, but I haven’t stopped there, I’ve also been appointed to several other boards and committees in Wellesley and across the Metro West.

I serve on the Historical Commission and the Plaque Determination Sub-Committee. I’m the Chair of the Nomination Committee for the League of Women Voters. I’m a member of the D.E.I. Taskforce of Wellesley and the Wellesley Women’s Initiatives Committee.

I was a pivotal contributor on the first Wellesley International Women’s Day Celebration. My dedication to women of all ages has led me to be head coach for Varsity Cheer at Wellesley High, a volunteer for Girls Flag Football for a local non profit, and serving as a State-appointed commissioner and chair for the Metro West region’s Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

What sets me apart is, I’m an involved stakeholder that stays responsive to constitutes needs. I’ve been elected to my positions, more than once by a large body of my community members. Whether at a committee meeting, gathering at my local church or favorite park, I make myself available to hear the needs of Wellesley first hand.

TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Select Board member?

Odessa Sanchez: I plan to prioritize connectivity of people and places in town. Wellesley should be accessible for all and it’s our responsibility to provide a safe, accessible, and efficient transportation system that includes public transportation, pedestrian and bike pathways. We should continue to review the status of our community’s vulnerability to the criminal element. Even though it doesn’t get much attention, the area is still troubled by break-ins and nuisance thefts. I think it’s important for the Select Board to introduce the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meetings, as an example of respect for the proceedings and to initiate the start of the business at hand. I would love for the office of SB to encourage more citizens’ speak engagement, and to offer a space for all contributing voices to feel they are heard and respected.

TSR: What can the town do to make living here more affordable for existing residents and those who would like to move here?

Odessa Sanchez: As a member of the Historical Commission, I hear frequent hearings on demolition applications by owners and developers looking to tear down and do total rebuilds. If it’s appropriate, we try to encourage the proposed planners to consider rehabilitation as opposed to a large rebuild. These scaled down projects can be offered at a lower cost, and that will help more new and younger families be able to move in to Wellesley. My experience on the Wellesley Housing Authority Board has put me in conversations that discuss multiple affordable housing opportunities, some ideas include rental assistance programs, first time buyers workshops, housing trusts, resource funding from community organizations, new State House Affordable Housing Act guidelines, and we expect more projects are being discussed and developed to be presented to Town Meeting this April.

TSR: What are the pluses and minuses of the town government being so decentralized?

Odessa Sanchez: The advantage can be the feeling of empowerment for the individual boards by giving them more control over decisions that affect them directly. This can lead to greater community engagement and participation in local governance. A decentralized system may encourage flexibility and innovation, as departments have the freedom to experiment with policies and solutions that best fit their specific needs. I’ve found that empowering on the boards I serve on.

Some disadvantages are lack of efficient coordination between boards. When decision-making is decentralized, coordination between different units (departments, committees, etc.) can be difficult. This might lead to conflicts, delayed responses, or fragmented services, especially in times of crisis. While decentralization can improve accountability at the surface level, it can also make it harder to hold the overall government accountable. With so many different bodies involved, it’s difficult to track who is responsible for certain decisions or failures, potentially leading to a “blame game.”

TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?

Odessa Sanchez: Voters can watch my government meetings on demand through Wellesley Media to see more of my body of work. My full bio that list my contributions to Wellesley is on my website: www.electodessasanchez.com

My email is odessaw@gmail.com

I welcome comments and questions. I hope I can earn your vote on Tuesday, March 4th.

Kenneth Largess

The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.

Kenneth Largess: My name is Kenneth Largess, and I am running for Wellesley Select Board. I’ve been actively engaged in our town since moving here almost 15 years ago with my wife and three children. I’ve coached over 30 youth sports teams, served on the Fiske School Council, and worked closely with families across Wellesley. These experiences have given me a strong connection to our community and a deep appreciation for what makes Wellesley special.

In addition to my broad community involvement, I have firsthand experience working within town government. As a member of Wellesley’s Advisory Committee, I collaborate with nearly all of the town’s boards and committees, review budgets, evaluate Town Meeting Articles, and help ensure responsible governance. In my role as Advisory’s liaison to the Select Board, I’ve seen how effective leadership requires both initiative and collaboration—bringing fresh ideas while working constructively with others to make thoughtful, well-informed decisions for our community.

Professionally, I am an attorney with over 20 years of experience in finance, including time at a large international law firm, an investment bank, and an investment management firm. I’ve worked extensively with companies big and small to help them grow and navigate complex issues. The skills I’ve developed in the private sector will be critical to managing Wellesley’s $200 million budget wisely, particularly as we consider more than $100 million in proposed capital projects.

With strong roots in Wellesley, hands-on experience in town government, and a professional background in law and finance, I have the knowledge, dedication, and leadership skills to serve effectively and help guide our town toward a strong and vibrant future.

TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Select Board member?

Kenneth Largess: There is a lot to accomplish over the next three years, but I want to highlight a few key areas that need immediate attention:

• Strategic Housing Plan: Wellesley has developed a Strategic Housing Plan, and it’s critical that we carefully review its recommendations and chart a thoughtful path forward. I will work with fellow board members and town stakeholders to craft a practical approach that meets our housing needs while preserving the character of our town.
• Fixing Communication and Strengthening Community Engagement: Our current communication approach isn’t working. Too many residents struggle to find timely information about committee and board meetings, projects, and key decisions. This problem becomes especially apparent during discussions about large development projects, when clear, accessible information is essential. At the same time, we need more residents engaged in town government. Many residents, juggling jobs and family commitments, don’t have time to attend meetings—but their voices still matter. I’m committed to bridging that gap by encouraging more people, particularly younger generations, to get involved so decisions reflect the interests of the entire town.
• Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility and Managing Large Capital Projects: Wellesley is at a critical juncture with several major capital projects on the horizon, and we need to manage them responsibly. With the average property tax bill nearing $20,000, it’s more important than ever to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely. I will advocate for rigorous financial planning, thorough cost-benefit analyses, and full transparency to make smart investments while keeping the town financially stable.
• Respect our seniors: Wellesley’s senior residents have made invaluable contributions to our community over the years, and they deserve to be heard, respected, and supported. As our population ages, we must ensure that seniors’ voices are not only acknowledged but that their concerns receive the same level of attention as those of other constituents in the town.

By focusing on these priorities, I hope to help Wellesley move forward with smart, practical decisions that reflect the values of our entire community.

TSR: What can the town do to make living here more affordable for existing residents and those who would like to move here?

Kenneth Largess: Affordability is a serious concern in Wellesley. To address it, we need a thoughtful, multi-faceted approach focused on housing, taxes, and local businesses. That said, we must be realistic—Wellesley will always be an expensive town because of its location, schools, and overall desirability.

• Assessing Housing Options: We should identify practical ways to expand housing options in appropriate locations without altering the character of the town. Our primary focus should be on expanding opportunities for seniors who want to downsize but remain part of our community. By creating more age-friendly housing in strategic areas, we may free up larger homes for young families while helping seniors stay connected to family and friends.
• Managing the Tax Burden: We must be laser focused on the financial strain that our property tax bills put on residents. I support reviewing our tax policies and exploring options like meaningful, targeted exemptions for seniors and other residents on fixed incomes. While there are existing exemptions, they currently benefit far too few people. Additionally, we must carefully evaluate large capital projects for their long-term impact on taxpayers.
• Supporting Local Businesses: A thriving local economy helps distribute the tax burden among residents and businesses. By supporting policies that foster business growth and encourage appropriate commercial development, we can strengthen the town’s tax base and reduce our reliance on residential property taxes.By taking these steps, we can make Wellesley more affordable while preserving the qualities that make it such a desirable place to live.

TSR: What are the pluses and minuses of the town government being decentralized?

Kenneth Largess: Wellesley’s decentralized town government structure has both strengths and challenges. One significant advantage is that decision-making is distributed across multiple boards, committees, and departments, which encourages broad community engagement by providing numerous opportunities for residents to get involved. Volunteers serving on boards bring valuable expertise and help ensure that decisions reflect the community’s interests. Additionally, this structure fosters checks and balances by preventing any single person or group from having excessive influence.

Decentralization also presents challenges. The involvement of multiple boards can lead to fragmentation, making communication and coordination more difficult. When decisions or proposed capital projects overlap—such as with school facilities and infrastructure—delays or conflicting outcomes can occur. Additionally, our reliance on volunteers, while fostering civic pride, can lead to fatigue and occasional gaps in specialized knowledge.

Moving forward, we need to maintain the benefits of decentralization while addressing these challenges. If elected to the Select Board, I will work to improve communication and collaboration across boards to ensure efficient, effective governance and the continued success of our community.

TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?

Kenneth Largess: Thank you in advance for your consideration and support. Please reach out to me at largess4sb@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information. You can also visit largess4sb.org to learn more about my campaign or to get involved.

Michael Tauer

The Swellesley Report: Please introduce yourself to The Swellesley Report’s readers.

Michael Tauer: I have lived and worked in Wellesley since my family moved here in 2017. We love living here and knew, as soon as we arrived, that we had found our home. Our initial attraction to Wellesley’s charm and beauty has developed into respect and deep appreciation for its commitment to education, sustainability, diversity, and prudent financial management. We have also come to greatly appreciate the partnership between the volunteers who serve in Town government and the talented and dedicated Town employees who help make Wellesley thrive. This appreciation for those who work on behalf of Wellesley led me to seek appointment to the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) in 2019. I am now in my second term on the PBC and am honored to have served as its chair since 2022.

My service on the PBC has given me the opportunity to work with many members of Town government and the Town’s professional staff. Much of my time on the PBC has been dedicated to the successful completion of the Hunnewell and Hardy schools, which has required an understanding of the scope of the excellent work done by the School Committee and by the  outstanding educators and staff who run our schools. We are also now in the final steps in completing the renovations to our Town Hall. This project required a careful balancing of the needs and interests of several Town departments and our community as well as the need to update and modernize the building to support an evolving use of office and meeting space with enhanced technology and a healthier work environment, all in a manner that incorporates historical details that honor the value and meaning our Town has derived from this building for over a century. Working on these projects and others has provided deep insight into Town finances, the Town’s approach to budgeting for large capital projects, and the Town’s long-term plans for constantly maintaining and enhancing its physical spaces sustainably and with great attention to programmatic need.

I am an attorney in private practice with a focus on civil litigation. Separate from my law practice, I partnered with others to open several businesses—primarily restaurants and bars in Memphis, where we used to live. I acquired skills and experience in managing new ventures and operating budgets and in hiring and supervising employees. I have also served on the boards of various non-profit organizations, thereby gaining enhanced appreciation for the critical role of good governance as a means of ensuring broad participation and a meaningful opportunity for everyone to be heard. These practical, hands-on experiences in the legal, business, and non-profit worlds and my experience on the PBC have ideally prepared me to serve on the Select Board.

TSR: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in your 3-year tenure as a Select Board member?

Michael Tauer: Our Town functions best when it achieves balance through thoughtful efforts to consider and incorporate different points of view. On the Select Board, I will promote respectful collaboration, careful planning, transparency, and consensus so that, through our common efforts, Wellesley continues to thrive.

The Select Board is responsible for bringing forth a balanced Town-wide budget, and this budget reflects how we balance our priorities. Chief among these priorities must be maximizing the return on expenditures of tax dollars and minimizing the tax burden on residents. However, Wellesley would not be the incredible community it is today had prior generations of residents not invested in our Town. For Wellesley to continue to thrive, we must continue to make these investments in our Town’s future.

Wellesley has spent more than $200 million on capital construction over the last 15 years as we have addressed the consequences of deferred maintenance and created the buildings to sustain and support or Town for decades to come. We have learned a great deal about how to ensure that our buildings serve the Town’s programmatic needs, promote its sustainability goals, and maximize the return on the Town’s investments in design and construction. These lessons will be invaluable as we embark on significant additional capital construction over the next several years, including multiple Department of Public Works buildings, Warren, a few school roofs, and the potential construction of additional fire stations. The Select Board plays a critical role in articulating our Town’s capital construction priorities and in developing the financial plans to pay for these projects. My experience serving on the Permanent Building Committee will allow me to partner with other Town officials as they create buildings that are programmatically effective and financially efficient.

As a Select Board member, I will also promote practical policies to enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions, particularly when these policies promote multiple Town goals and reduce long-term costs. For example, the Town recently installed a battery energy storage system that can provide backup power and can also save money by balancing energy loads, thereby reducing reliance on expensive power during periods of peak demand. We have taken the lead in implementing practical sustainability measures that yield long-term cost savings. Hunnewell and Hardy are net-zero ready with all-electric building systems. Town Hall has also now been converted to all-electrical systems, and it is anticipated that Warren will follow suit.

I am proud of Wellesley’s commitment to sustainability and combatting climate change. In 2021, Town Meeting adopted a goal of targeted reductions in town-wide greenhouse gas reductions, culminating in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our Climate Action Plan contains a detailed roadmap for hitting these targets, and our Climate Action Department offers robust services and guidance for residents wishing to adopt more sustainable practices. I will promote practical solutions to enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions and ongoing costs.

Please see my response below, describing my goal of bringing us together around a housing plan that is right for Wellesley, expands housing access, and diversifies housing options.

TSR: What can the town do to make living here more affordable for existing residents and those who would like to move here?

Michael Tauer: Massachusetts is facing a housing crisis that has been decades in the making and results from many interrelated factors. Wellesley, like all communities in Massachusetts, has a role to play in addressing this dilemma. In response to a crisis, it is natural and understandable to want to take immediate action. We must resist the urge, however, to rush to “do something” without first understanding all of the consequences of our intended actions. Instead, we must recognize that planning is progress. We will much more effectively address the challenges related to housing if our actions are part of a holistic strategy that incorporates the views of all stakeholders.

In Wellesley, we have taken important steps, such as complying with the MBTA Communities Act, to do our part to address housing. It takes time for the impacts of zoning and other regulatory changes to become apparent. We should monitor these impacts as the Town completes its Strategic Housing Plan, Affordable Housing Policy, and Fair Housing Plan. Through the development of these plans and policies, as well as other dialogue and discussions in Town, we can work towards building a consensus around an approach to housing that is right for Wellesley. Also, because many other municipalities are struggling with these issues, we can evaluate the impacts of steps they have taken in determining the approach that is right for us.

As a Select Board Member, I will advance plans and policies that will expand access to housing in Wellesley by diversifying housing options and bringing more housing to neighborhoods in Town that are appropriate for higher population density because I believe that this diversity will benefit all residents of our Town. Increasing housing options will benefit all of those in our Town who are affected by the high cost of housing. Increasing housing stock will exert downward pressure on the rate at which the cost of housing is increasing, and increasing the diversity of housing options will allow for a more efficient allocation of the housing stock in addition to providing our residents with housing options that meet their actual needs. For example, empty nesters who downsize to a smaller home open up homes with space for larger families to those who wish to move here to join our thriving Town and avail themselves of our excellent schools.

This expansion of access to housing options must be balanced, however, with the capacities of our first responders, schools, roads, and civic infrastructure and the impacts on existing neighborhoods. I believe that this balance will be best achieved through a transparent, thoughtful analysis and discussion that incorporates the broad range of views our residents have related to housing. Building this consensus will allow us to more systematically evaluate various housing options and to ensure that they are consistent with our shared vision for future development.

TSR: What are the pluses and minuses of the town government being so decentralized?

Michael Tauer: Wellesley’s uniquely decentralized form of government presents a number of advantages and disadvantages that significantly impact the functioning of our government, the participation of residents in our government, and the lines of communication between our residents and those working in Town government.

The division of our Town government’s executive functions into our various boards and committees allows our residents to gravitate toward those topics and issues that interest them or in which they have a particular expertise. We are fortunate in Wellesley to have residents with tremendous amounts of talent, expertise, dedication, and enthusiasm. The distillation of this passion and experience into discrete areas allows our boards and committees to function at a very high level and to be staffed by volunteers with a genuine focus on the subject matter of that committee. This specialization, combined with the terms governing the tenures of those who serve on our boards and committees, allows for a constant infusion of new faces, fresh ideas, current scholarship, and best practices.

In addition, the discretion afforded to each of our boards and committees means that the residents who serve on them have the opportunity to make a direct and substantive impact on our town. Many of those who volunteer to serve the Town are otherwise quite busy and may be disinclined to dedicate the time and attention required to serve in Town government if they felt as though they had a limited ability to make a meaningful difference. Further, decentralization helps prevent the concentration of power or authority in any given board or person.

On the other hand, decentralization can reduce the efficiency with which our government functions and can slow down the decision-making process. Although proceeding at a measured, deliberate pace is prudent and necessary when making big decisions and certainly when spending taxpayer money, reduced inefficiency can delay the implementation of important initiatives and can frustrate Town residents, who may conclude that our government is not sufficiently nimble to timely address their needs.

In addition, decentralization makes it more difficult for both residents and Town officials to perceive the full scope of what is going on in Town government and complicates the Town’s efforts to provide information to our residents. Because of the relative autonomy with which each of the boards and committees operates, there is a range of methods and frequencies of relaying information about what is going on in Town. This challenge is exacerbated by the decrease in local media coverage of the inner workings of Town government. Finally, having paid Town officials report directly to the various boards and committees can create inconsistent reporting mechanisms across Town, interfere with Town-wide operations, and sow uncertainty though the turnover of the volunteers staffing the boards and committees.

TSR: How should voters reach you if they want more information?

Michael Tauer: My favorite part of the election process has been getting to know so many Town residents, hearing their perspectives, and receiving their feedback. I am eager to connect with as many of my fellow residents as possible so that, on the Select Board, I can share their views and represent their interests. To learn more about me, my campaign, my priorities, or my vision for Wellesley, please visit ElectMichaelTauer.com.

Please also feel free to email me at electmichaeltauer@pobox.com. I would love to hear from you!

More: Meet the 2025 Wellesley Recreation Commission candidates

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From the Town of Wellesley:

Vote by Mail ballots for Wellesley’s Annual Town Elections have been mailed to all registered voters who requested them.

Election Day is Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Vote by Mail ballots must be received at Town Hall (525 Washington Street) no later than 8:00 PM on Election Day. Vote by Mail ballots may NOT be dropped off at polling locations.

Voters who have received a Vote by Mail ballot may change their mind and vote in-person only if they have NOT returned their ballot. Only the first ballot submitted will be counted.

Voters may track their vote by mail ballot status online here.

The last day to request a Vote by Mail ballot for the March 4 Annual Town Elections is Tuesday February 25, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.