To the editor and to Wellesley voters:

With this letter, I announce my candidacy for re-election to the Wellesley Planning Board, and I ask for your vote on March 4.

My wife and I moved to Wellesley nearly 29 years ago, drawn by the unique combination of strong schools and charming character. Ensuring Wellesley maintains this vibrancy while adapting to the changing times will not be easy, but it is my commitment and my goal. I believe experience and passion to do the hard work make me a good choice for the Planning Board for the next five years. As Planning Board member for the last five years and Planning Chair for the last two, I have brought even-handed leadership and a commitment to fair and fact-based explorations of potential projects, often amid highly emotional discussions.

A collaborative approach will be crucial for the future work of the Planning Board. Having achieved 40B affordability compliance and MBTA Communities zoning compliance, the next five years will be less straightforward, as Wellesley balances infrastructure, economic development and character in order to maintain a vibrant and diverse Town. Wellesley needs Planning Board members committed to listening, give-and-take dialogues and patience—so that a broad set of stakeholders are part of “figuring it out”.

I believe strongly in finding housing solutions that address multiple needs in Wellesley:

• Additional and diverse downsize/retirement options for existing homeowners
• More “starter” homes to enable young families to move into town
• Mid-priced housing options for those who work for our Town or work in our local businesses
• Continuously staying ahead of mandated affordable housing levels

At the same time, Wellesley has several initiatives that will need to be addressed in the coming years:

• Stewardship of MBTA Communities projects and implementation of the Strategic Housing Plan
• Barton Road/Cedar Street refurbishment/redevelopment
• Retirement and senior housing options
• A plan for the North 40

It will take significant dialogue to find consensus solutions that respect a property owner’s rights, maintain neighborhood character, improve infrastructure, and keep the Town economically strong. I know I can help the Planning Board tackle these challenges with vision, leadership, clarity of thought, and civility. Wellesley is an amazing place, and together we can work to grow its strength and its appeal for the next generation.

Election Day is March 4, and I ask for your support to re-elect me, Tom Taylor, to your Planning Board. It would be my honor to continue to serve Wellesley as a volunteer member for the next 5 years.

Thank you

Tom

About Tom Taylor:

• 5 years on Wellesley Planning Board, including the most recent 2 years as Chair
• 28+ year resident
• 2 grown children educated in Wellesley Public Schools
• Consultant and start-up executive (retired)
• Wellesley soccer and softball coach (also retired)
• Active throughout the community; including church Trustee, Natick Community Farm Board Member and Treasurer, President of local alumni club (UVa Club of Boston)
• Wellesley Connects mentor at Wellesley High School
• Engineering bachelor’s degree (UVa) and MBA (Northwestern/Kellogg)

To the editor:

As a resident of Wellesley Square, I read with interest two recent letters on the subject of the newly-installed and significantly larger American flag.

I do not know either writer, but Laurel Meyer is quite right to question the size of the new  flag and the timing of its arrival. By contrast, Peter Jones is quite wrong to suggest that Ms. Meyer’s questions are somehow disrespectful of the sacrifices of military veterans. As even a cursory review of Ms. Meyer’s letter reveals, nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, her questions relate to the direction this country appears poised to take as the result of the last election. Her concerns are shared by tens of millions of patriotic Americans, including many military veterans.

In my opinion, the new, larger flag is too big for its current location. Among other things, when the wind blows, the flag’s size tends to obscure the messages of peace and love that emanate from the Village Church. This can hardly have been anyone’s intent.

Ms. Meyer is to be commended for bringing this matter to the attention of your readers.

Very truly yours,

Thomas E. Peisch

P.S. I routinely fly a small American flag from my townhouse steps on significant occasions.

Editor’s note: We contacted Select Board member Beth Sullivan Woods, who said that the flag is properly sized for the flagpole based on federal policy and guidelines.

To the editor:

My name is Kenneth Largess, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Wellesley Select Board. I would be grateful to have your support as I take this important step. I have lived in Wellesley for the past 15 years with my wife and three children. During this time, I have dedicated myself to serving our community through roles that deeply connect me to Wellesley’s people and priorities.

I come from a family that values public service and the important role it plays in a community. My father was a vice principal at Shrewsbury High School for over 30 years, and my mother was an elementary school teacher in Worcester. Their lifelong dedication to education instilled in me a deep respect for hard work, community engagement, and the critical role of public institutions in shaping strong, vibrant communities. This perspective has influenced both my professional life and my commitment to serving Wellesley.

As a member of Wellesley’s Advisory Committee, I have gained valuable experience reviewing the Town’s finances and making informed recommendations to Town Meeting members. Serving as the Advisory Committee’s liaison to the Select Board has deepened my understanding of the Board’s work and strengthened communication and collaboration between the two groups. This role has underscored the importance of having strong, independent leaders on the Board who bring diverse perspectives to the position.

Beyond my role in Town government, I have connected with many Wellesley families over the years by volunteering in our schools and coaching youth sports. I’ve coached more than 30 teams in various sports and currently serve as vice president and a board member of Wellesley Youth Football. While my kids attended Fiske Elementary, I also served on the School Council, focusing on school safety. These experiences have provided me with valuable insight into our community’s aspirations and challenges.

I am a corporate attorney at a Boston-based investment firm with extensive experience resolving complex financial and other issues while fostering common ground among parties with competing interests. Previously, I worked at an international law firm and an investment bank. I believe my professional experience, combined with my significant involvement in our Town’s government, community, and schools, equips me to address the multifaceted issues that come before the Select Board.

I am running for the Select Board because Wellesley is at a pivotal moment, facing complex issues related to housing, schools, financial management, Town-wide communication, and sustainability. These challenges will shape our Town’s future, and I am uniquely qualified to address them with a clear focus on what is best for Wellesley. Our Town will benefit from a new generation of leaders who bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, while remaining committed to fiscal discipline to ensure that every dollar is carefully managed for maximum value to our residents.

I believe Wellesley can explore opportunities for property tax relief without compromising the quality of our schools, which are central to our community’s success and identity. By prioritizing efficiency in other areas of Town spending, we can ease the financial burden on taxpayers while continuing to invest in the outstanding education that defines Wellesley.

Our Town’s strength lies in bringing people together, balancing diverse perspectives, and implementing practical solutions that work for everyone. I am excited to bring my experience, energy, and dedication to the Select Board to help guide Wellesley through the opportunities and challenges ahead.

I would be honored to earn your vote on March 4, 2025. To learn more about my candidacy and vision for Wellesley, please visit my website at largess4sb.org. I encourage you to reach out to me directly at largess4sb@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions for Wellesley’s future.

Thank you for your support and consideration.

Sincerely,
Kenneth Largess

To the editor:

It has been said that “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”  It means a lot.

And no one “shows up” more in Wellesley than Odessa Sanchez.

Town meeting?  Odessa is there.

Wellesley Housing Authority?  Odessa is there

Wellesley Historical Commission?  Odessa is there.

League of Women Voters?  Odessa is there.

Wellesley Civil Discourse Conversations?  Odessa is there.

Metro West Commission on the Status of Women?  Odessa is there.

Riding the Catch Connect and assisting others who need transportation?  Odessa is there.

Volunteer ministering at her church?  Odessa is there.

Wellesley parades? Odessa is there.

Including ethnic and social diversity in town leadership?  Odessa is there.

Coaching high school and elementary cheerleaders?  Odessa is there.

Odessa is Wellesley’s cheerleader on and off the playing field.

She has a finger on the pulse of our town in ways that bring to light the hopes and needs of all our citizens.

Please be sure you “show up” for the Town Election on March 4^th  and cast your vote for Odessa Sanchez for Select Board.

Respectfully submitted,

Svea and Scott Fraser
Wellesley residents

To the editor:

I’m Odessa Sanchez, and I’m known to be a proud grandmother, coach, teacher, and dedicated volunteer.

My family and I have established deep roots in Wellesley for the last 16 years. I’m excited and more enthusiastic than ever to announce my intent to run for the open seat on the Select Board. My passion for town service is evident with everything I do and sho up for.

Serving our community is not just a privilege but a responsibility. Whether it’s something as small as carpooling residents to public meetings, my role as chair of the Wellesley Housing Authority Board, sitting on Town Meeting ( Precinct E), or my tireless work on several other committees and organizations, I live to make a positive impact on our community. I care deeply about what makes Wellesley run more efficiently and the people and places that keep our town together. I’m excited to have engaging dialogues with the people of our community and will make myself available to all interested minds who have that same goal. Let’s share our viewpoints for a Wellesley future we all can have an active role in! Wellesley can be everything we know and more. I would represent our town in a way that explores many different ways to lead, and develop how we grow as a town and as individuals, who want the best for themselves and their communities.

I would be deeply honored to represent Wellesley on the Select Board, and I humbly ask you to vote for me on March 4th, 2025.

You can reach me at:

www.electodessasanchez.com

selectodessasanchez@gmail.com

Odessa Sanchez
Wellesley resident

To the editor:

I’m deeply grateful to the Wellesley community for the opportunity to serve on the Select Board since 2019, and I will not be running for re-election in March. It has been a great pleasure to work with our exceptional Town staff and so many colleagues throughout town government whose dedication has been an inspiration to me. I feel very fortunate to have served as the Select Board representative on the Climate Action Committee and as chair and vice chair of the Board, while also supporting the work of many boards and committees as Select Board liaison. Serving in these roles has allowed me to get to know many people throughout our community and has given me even more reasons to be thankful to call Wellesley my home.

I look forward to continuing to serve for the next several months, and I hope to be re-elected to Town Meeting in March.

With gratitude,
Lise Olney
Select Board
Town Meeting Member for Precinct E