To the editor:

In advance of the March 3 town-wide election of boards and Town Meeting  Members, the League of Women Voters Wellesley is holding our annual Meet the Candidates Night event, co-sponsored with the Wellesley Free Library, on Thursday, February 12, 6:30-9 pm, in the Wakelin Room at the Wellesley Free Library on Washington St. The event will be broadcast live on Comcast 8, Verizon 40, and on the Wellesley Public Media website, and will be recorded for later viewing. At this event, voters will have the opportunity to hear from the candidates running for seats on the town boards.

It is important to note that there are two contested election—Select Board and School Committee. In addition to attending Meet the Candidates Night, the League also encourages voters to access information about the candidates on our vote411.org website, which will be available on February 12, and to watch for postcards arriving in the mail with detailed information about Meet the Candidates Night and Vote411.org. In the spirit of  “democracy is not a spectator sport,” please join us on the evening of February 12 at the Wellesley Free Library, and remember to vote in person on March 3. Polls will be open from 7 am – 8 pm. You can find your polling location here: https://wellesleyma.gov/244/Voting-Elections. If you choose to vote by mail and have not already requested to receive mail-in ballots for 2026 elections, you can still do so for this election by February 24, 5pm. Lastly, if you still need to register to vote, the deadline for this election is February 20. Your voice, your vote! Be a participator, not a spectator!And one last important note. The League of Women Voters welcome new members!

Diane Robitaille Hemond
Meet the Candidates Night coordinator
League of Women Voters of Wellesley

The editor:

As we begin 2026, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the residents, businesses, and volunteers in the Wellesley area who supported the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign. Your generosity and kindness during the holiday season brought comfort, hope, and tangible support to neighbors in need, with an impact that will be felt throughout the year. While the kettles have been put away, the need continues. We invite the community to support The Salvation Army as part of their 2026 commitment through financial contributions or volunteering.

The holiday season is always a time when generosity shines, and once again the Wellesley community answered the call. Every dollar donated locally stayed in the community, helping provide meals, gifts, emergency assistance, and shelter for individuals and families facing hardship. On average, each volunteer bell ringer raised enough funds to help provide nearly 250 meals to children and families right here at home—an extraordinary reflection of compassion in action. Together, bell ringers collectively raised $2,055,000 statewide.

While economic challenges continue to impact many Massachusetts residents, the steady support of our donors and volunteers allows The Salvation Army to remain a trusted source of help. Across the Commonwealth, our 28 Corps Community Centers and more than 220 Service Unit Extensions work every day to meet essential needs with dignity, respect, and without discrimination.

We are deeply thankful to the Wellesley community for standing with The Salvation Army year after year. Your continued generosity ensures that we can serve as a reliable safety net for those who need it most, not only during the holidays, but throughout all seasons.

With sincere appreciation, we wish everyone in our community a safe, healthy, and hopeful year ahead.

To learn more about Salvation Army programming or to donate, visit salvationarmyma.org/give.

Sincerely,

Majors Everett and Patricia Henry
Divisional Leaders, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division

To the editor:

I have worked with Tom Ulfelder on a number of Town projects over the years and strongly support him for re-election to the Select Board. Wellesley has many competing near and long-term fiscal and strategic initiatives, along with a number of emerging issues that require thoughtful consideration and prioritization. Tom has a demonstrated track record of listening to all perspectives and taking a holistic, thoughtful, balanced and disciplined approach to making decisions that are in the best overall interest of the Town and its residents. Please join me in supporting Tom in the upcoming Town election.

Tripp Sheehan
Wellesley resident

To Wellesley voters:

My name is Edward Chazen and I am a candidate for the Planning Board in the election on March 3rd.

I’ve lived in Wellesley since 1988 (same house since then) and my wife and I raised our two daughters here. From 2003-2008 I served on the Planning Board, and during that time two notably large projects were permitted—Linden Square and The Belclare. In 2018, I served on a citizens committee to review proposals from developers to lease the Tailby Lot and post office lot for a mix of condos and affordable rental apartments. In summer 2021, I prepared a feasibility study for the Select Board to develop a Town performing arts and community center. Most recently, from June-December 2025, I served on a citizens task force to recommend changes to the existing Residential Incentive Overlay by-law.

I’ve been a professional in the real estate industry since 1983. Since 2011, I’ve been a full-time professor teaching real estate and have been a faculty member at Boston College for the last 11 years. In addition, I teach two real estate courses each year to mid-career professionals for a prominent real estate developer trade association.

Based on my professional experience and long-standing community involvement, I believe the Town has to address significant land use, zoning, demographic trends and real estate matters in the next few years. By agreeing to participate in the MBTA Communities Act, we should expect more proposals for multifamily development. Several large properties have been sold or are in the process of being sold and all of them will be candidates for Planning Board review and recommendations to Town Meeting. Therefore, careful, thoughtful and balanced planning is essential to advance goals of increasing production of multifamily housing and maintaining the unique and wonderful character of our Town.

I would appreciate your support and please consider voting for me in the March 3rd election.

Many thanks,

Edward Chazen
Wellesley resident

To the editor:

I am writing in strong support of Tom Ulfelder for re-election to the Select Board and ask you to join me in voting for him on Tuesday, March 3.

As Chair of the Advisory Committee and a member of the HHU School Building Committee, I worked closely with Tom. In both roles, I had the opportunity to work with him through difficult and contentious issues, and I was consistently impressed by his ability to express his views, listen to others, change his mind when warranted, and respect and support the majority opinion. This is also why I chose to chair his Campaign Committee.

Tom has been an important voice in town government throughout his tenure. He has been an effective leader through some very difficult times. Tom’s commitment to reaching out, encouraging participation, drawing out the facts, and seeking different perspectives allows him to be a strong leader. Tom also recognizes that effective governance requires an approach that draws out diverse perspectives. Tom values a process through which decisions are reached while ensuring that everyone is heard.

Vote for Tom on March 3. Wellesley needs his thoughtful, professional leadership.

Patti Quigley
Wellesley resident

To the editor:

Building a Better Wellesley is urging residents and elected officials to work collaboratively with the Commonwealth on plans for MassBay Community College and adjacent state-owned land, emphasizing that cooperation offers the best opportunity to preserve the MassBay forest while supporting education and housing needs.

The Commonwealth intends to use proceeds from the sale of surplus land to fund long-overdue improvements to MassBay Community College, under the state’s Affordable Homes Act. This law allows surplus public land to be used for housing while generating capital for public institutions.

The designation of approximately 45 acres on the west side of Oakland Street as surplus creates an unprecedented opportunity for Wellesley. The forested land currently has no conservation protections, and for the first time, the Commonwealth has asked the Town about its long-term vision for the property.

In December, the Wellesley Select Board reported that Edward Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, agreed to work with the Town to pursue permanent conservation protections for the forest. Building a Better Wellesley believes that entering into good-faith negotiations with the state is the most effective way to secure this outcome.

MassBay Community College plays a critical role in educating students for essential careers, including healthcare, public safety, and cybersecurity. Its nationally recognized cybersecurity program, along with training for EMTs, medical professionals, firefighters, and police officers, strengthens the broader community. The college also offers free tuition to Massachusetts residents who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree.

Despite its impact, MassBay’s facilities lag behind peer institutions. The college needs capital investment for modern academic, health, and wellness facilities. MassBay has long been a valued neighbor to Wellesley, hosting community events, supporting local schools, and stewarding land enjoyed by residents.

Under the Affordable Homes Act, a minimum of four housing units per acre is required, resulting in approximately 180 units across the 45-acre site. Beyond that requirement, many aspects of the project remain flexible and will be determined through a Request for Proposals issued by state agencies, which have expressed a willingness to incorporate Wellesley’s priorities—especially forest preservation.

Current concepts would concentrate housing on the already developed parking lot, leaving the forest intact. This approach mirrors other successful developments in Wellesley, such as Wellesley Green, that integrate housing with preserved open space.

Without housing at this scale, the college’s capital needs cannot be met, and Wellesley would lose leverage to secure permanent conservation protections.

“There is broad agreement that the MassBay forest should be preserved, but that will not be accomplished with lawsuits or delays,” said Ann-Mara Lanza, a member of the Building a Better Wellesley Steering Committee. “Collaboration offers the best chance for a win-win outcome for Wellesley residents, MassBay students, and the broader community.”

Building a Better Wellesley Steering Committee
Irene Flint; Sheri Kassirer; Ann-Mara Lanza; Deed McCollum; Andrew Mikula; Sally Watts