The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

A big kettle of “thank-yous” from The Salvation Army

by

To the editor:

It is with the most heartfelt gratitude that The Salvation Army of Massachusetts thanks all those who contributed to the 2023 Red Kettle Campaign. Throughout the holidays your donations, regardless of size, contributed to aiding so many families throughout Massachusetts. The Salvation Army of Massachusetts raised more than $2 million to help families and those in need with food, clothing, housing assistance and more this holiday season.

That speaks volumes about the extraordinary generosity of spirit found across the Commonwealth, which has made so many lives a little bit easier.

However, many families are still struggling and unable to meet the most basic needs. Inflation, housing costs, and day-to-day challenges continue to take their toll. Salvation Army programming, funded by generous donations, provides rent and utility assistance, food, and creates pathways out of poverty.

The Salvation Army of Massachusetts is committed to meeting those needs in 2024. Each of the 29 Corps Community Centers and more than 220 Service Extension Units across the state strive to aid as many people as possible, and they need your continued support to do so. With the generosity of your donations, 2024 could be The Salvation Army’s best year ever.

We look forward to continuing to do the most good. Most importantly, we hope you all stay safe, happy and healthy this year.

Learn more about Salvation Army programming and how to donate.

Sincerely,

Major Elijah Kahn, General Secretary
The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division

Advertisements

Linden Square, Wellesley
The Cashmere Sale, Wellesley
Wicked Clear Ice, Wellesley

Planning Board candidate who lost home in fire gained a passion to “contribute meaningfully to the town’s development”

by

Dear Fellow Residents of Wellesley,

I’m Grant Pollock, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy for the Wellesley Planning Board. For the past 17 years, Wellesley has been more than just a town to me; it’s been home for my family and life-long friendships. It’s also where my family and I have built our lives, shared our joys, and weathered our challenges. And now, I’m eager to give back to this community that has provided us with so much.

As a neighbor and a proud member of this community, I understand the importance of thoughtful planning and community engagement in shaping the future of Wellesley. That’s why I’m stepping forward to offer my expertise and dedication to serve on the Planning Board.

My journey to this candidacy has been deeply personal. In December 2020, my family and I experienced the devastating loss of our home to a fire. In the process of rebuilding our lives and home, I gained a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of the planning process and the vital role it plays in the fabric of our community. This terrible experience ignited a passion within me to contribute meaningfully to the town’s development.

Professionally, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding and working through complex problems, fostering innovation, and building connections and understanding. From my role as Vice President of Sales & Success at BlueCargo to advising at Pachyderm Inc I’ve honed skills that directly align with the needs of Wellesley and the Planning Board. As a core member of Underscore VC, I’ve worked closely with transformative ventures, identifying opportunities for sustainable development and economic growth which will benefit our town and our residents.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I’ve always believed in giving back whether coaching Wellesley’s youth in hockey and lacrosse or volunteering in local initiatives, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strength and resilience of our community.

In my campaign for the Wellesley Planning Board, I bring more than just professional expertise—I bring a deep-rooted love for this town and a genuine desire to see it thrive. Together, let’s shape the future of Wellesley with warmth, local flavor, and a commitment to planning and decisions for our community that make us proud to call Wellesley home.

Thank you for considering me for this important role. I look forward to earning your trust and working alongside you to create a brighter future for Wellesley.

Vote Grant Pollock for Planning Board on March 5, 2024 and bring some friends!

Warm regards,

Grant Pollock
Wellesley resident

Advertisements

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Haskins Automotive, Wellesley

Letter to the editor: endorsement of Colette Aufranc for Select Board

by

To the editor:

Colette joined the MBTA Advisory Board in 2020 and since that time has put incredible time and effort into representing Wellesley and its concerns.

As Vice Chair of the Commuter Rail Committee, Colette is a strong voice for Wellesley and works cooperatively with MBTA leadership.

As Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee she has supported the Advisory Board as it engaged an auditor and a bookkeeper, completed several audits of its financial statements, established written financial policies, and serves as the Treasurer for our organization.

Strong engagement of municipal representatives in regional bodies like the MBTA Advisory Board is critical, not only to raise Wellesley’s concerns but to make the Advisory Board effective. As Chair of the Advisory Board, I really appreciate Colette’s contributions to making the Advisory Board effective in dealing with a myriad of MBTA issues.

Wellesley is fortunate to have her as their representative on the MBTA Advisory Board.

Thomas P. Koch
Mayor of Quincy
Chair, MBTA Advisory Board

Advertisements

YMCA, Swellesley ad
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra
St. Andrews Church, Wellesley

Natural Resources Commission candidate strives to balance “environmental conservation and community interests”

by

To the editor:

I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission. During my 14 years living in Wellesley, I have been deeply involved in various aspects of public service. As a dedicated volunteer, I have had the privilege of coaching many Wellesley youth sports teams and working in our town’s schools, allowing me to connect with many families and hear their concerns firsthand. This experience has given me valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of our community.  Additionally, I am attorney with extensive experience in tackling complex issues and collaborating with parties with competing interests to find common ground. I believe my experience will be instrumental in addressing the multifaceted challenges that the NRC deals with.

First and foremost, I am committed to advancing the NRC’s mandate: protecting and preserving Wellesley’s parks, open spaces, tree canopy, and watersheds. I will do so in a way that respects, includes, and benefits our entire community. I firmly believe that the preservation and protection of our natural resources are paramount, but I also recognize the importance of considering the broader needs and priorities of Wellesley residents. As a member of the Natural Resources Commission, I will strive to strike a delicate equilibrium between environmental conservation and community interests. I am dedicated to fostering open and constructive dialogue, ensuring that all voices are heard, and working collaboratively with fellow commissioners to make well-informed decisions.

The responsibilities of the NRC demand effective coordination and communication, not just among its members but also in collaboration with other Town boards, committees, and our community as a whole. The NRC’s strategic goals underscore the importance of collaborative management, education, and advocacy, and I wholeheartedly embrace these objectives. Our town thrives when we engage in active listening and mutual learning. My background, both professionally and personally, in advocating for various stakeholders and facilitating discussions among diverse and sometimes opposing groups equips me to make meaningful contributions to the NRC and our town. I believe that when we respectfully share differing interests and viewpoints, it enriches our community and enables us to make progress on even the most challenging and intricate issues.

I am excited about the opportunity to serve our town as a member of the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission and to work alongside fellow residents to solve problems in a way that benefits the families of Wellesley. Thank you for considering my candidacy, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to contribute to the betterment of Wellesley. I ask for your vote on March 5.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Largess
Wellesley resident

Newton-Wellesley Orthopedic

Letter to the editor: endorsement of Marjorie Freiman for Wellesley Select Board

by

To the editor:

I had the privilege and pleasure of working on the Board of Selectmen, now the Select Board, with Marjorie during my last term on the Board. My experience demonstrated her knowledge of the Town, her thoughtfulness, her thoroughness, her competence as well as her ability to find good solutions and to compromise when appropriate. She was an excellent colleague who always thoroughly reviewed information provided and collaborated with the staff, other Select Board members as well as the community.

When she joined the Selectmen, she had recently completed her three-year term on Advisory and had been Advisory Chair during her last year. With her Advisory experience she came to the Board well prepared for the variety of issues the Board addresses and understood how the Board interacts with other Boards in Town.

Her two terms on the Select Board combined with her Advisory background, makes her a supremely prepared and qualified candidate running this year. Marjorie understands the Board’s priorities ebb and flow. The Board needs to be opportunistic as well as having a multi-year agenda addressing Town needs. She fiercely advocates for a short-term need that the Board has identified and understands other Board projects take time before they are addressed.

Marjorie values and strongly supports our excellent Town staff and understands that her position as a Board member is not to usurp the responsibilities of the staff. She knows the staff does not work for her but works for the Board.

Marjorie brings experience, knowledge, and leadership with strong connections to other Boards as well as staff and residents. She also brings patience and humility. Marjorie brings to the position no personal agenda but wants to make Wellesley a better place to work and live. She is an exceptional candidate and I hope you join me in returning her to the Select Board.

Barbara Searle
Town Meeting Member, Precinct A
Former Advisory Committee Member and Chair
Former Select Board Member and Chair

School Committee candidate “passionate about the Wellesley Public Schools” announces run

by

To the editor:

I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Wellesley School Committee.

I have been a resident of Wellesley for 15 years. My husband, Todd, and I have four children enrolled in Wellesley Public Schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. In addition to extensive civic engagement outside the schools, for the last 10 years I have served Wellesley through leadership roles in the PTOs at both the school and town levels. I am passionate about the Wellesley Public Schools.

My goal, if elected, is to provide a balanced, thoughtful approach to School Committee deliberations while advocating for changes that improve our schools and our students’ experience. Wellesley has a strong foundation in our schools, but needs to acknowledge there is always room for growth and improvement.

My priorities are:

● Engaging in a serious conversation about the strengths and weaknesses of our elementary literacy program
● Making meaningful changes in communication between the District, School Committee and our community
● Advocating for the resources needed to fulfill the 2023-2028 WPS Strategic Plan initiatives and ensure the continuous improvement of the Wellesley Public Schools

I have worked closely with Wellesley’s school leadership and complex constituencies on a wide variety of issues through my role as the Moderator of Central Council of PTOs for the last three years and in my leadership roles in the Hunnewell PTO prior to that. I have served on interview committees for various WPS leadership positions and in 2022-2023 coordinated the district-wide distribution of COVID testing kits to support in-person learning in schools. In town, I currently serve on Town Meeting for Precinct F, as Membership Director of the League of Women Voters of Wellesley and as Treasurer for both Sustainable Wellesley and the Wellesley Scholarship Foundation.

My husband and I chose to raise our family in Wellesley because of the excellence of its public schools and Wellesley’s strong sense of community. I would like the opportunity to contribute to maintaining this excellence as a member of Wellesley’s School Committee. Please visit www.NikiOfenlochforSchoolCommittee.com to learn more.

I humbly ask for your vote on March 5. Thank you for your consideration.

Niki Ofenloch
Wellesley resident
www.NikiOfenlochforSchoolCommittee.com

Wellesley Natural Resources candidate vows to move goals forward with “actionable strategies”

by

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission (NRC). If elected, I will be a steady advocate for the NRC’s core mandate: to manage, protect, and preserve Wellesley’s parks, open spaces, tree canopy, and watersheds, and to be a leader of sustainability. As a 14-year resident and a dedicated volunteer in both town government and youth sports, I believe deeply in public service and in the values of the NRC.

The multitude of Wellesley’s parks and natural places are part of what makes our community unique. This is why, for almost seven years, I have served on the Wellesley Trails Committee. As both a Committee member and chairperson, I have spent hundreds of hours maintaining our 47 miles of trails, guiding walks, and working closely with the DPW, NRC, and other town boards. This work has enhanced my appreciation for our varied lands, as well as for the dedication of their professional and volunteer stewards, including the NRC.

As Wellesley continues to grow and develop, the NRC must make the consideration of our natural resources an important part of the conversation. There are recent examples of development proposals that would have impacted trees, wetlands, and adjacent woodland. I commend our elected leaders and participating residents for making note of natural resources alongside other priorities such as housing and infrastructure. As a board member of the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, I have learned how natural resource considerations can support and inform well-considered progress, rather than act against it.

The NRC is also tasked with managing many of Wellesley’s active recreation areas. The Morses Pond Beach and Bathhouse Improvement project is making steady progress, and I will work to bring that proposal to life as soon as possible. After several seasons as a coach for the Wellesley United Soccer Club, I know the effort that goes into ensuring every sports team has space to practice and compete. I sincerely appreciate how important our recreational facilities are for so many. I will work to maintain and improve our facilities in a thoughtful way that respects our natural resources.

The immediacy of the climate crisis compels the NRC to continue its leadership on climate action and sustainability through its mission of stewardship, education and advocacy. The NRC has an important and unique role to play in increasing our tree canopy, reducing greenhouse gases, and supporting biodiversity. I am eager to continue engaging residents in climate awareness and in actionable strategies that contribute to our resilience.

The NRC agenda is busy, and I would like to help move that agenda forward. With over 20 years of experience as a quantitative analyst at a local financial software company and an Economics degree from Dartmouth College, I am a problem solver who gets things done. If elected to the NRC, I will dedicate my balanced perspective and work ethic in service of our town. Please vote for me on March 5th.

Sincerely,

Steven Park
Wellesley resident