To the editor:

Through this letter I respectfully announce my candidacy for re-election to the Planning Board, so that I may continue this critical work on behalf of the Town of Wellesley.

This is a transformative time for our Town that offers both challenges and opportunities. I believe that we can change and develop to meet our goals, while also protecting our town’s character and rich natural resources.

As a registered civil engineer, I have worked to apply my 21 years of professional experience to the important and often technical work of the Planning Board.

As a Project Manager for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and previously for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, I have gained skills and experience highly useful in my work on the Planning Board. I have the technical background to read and evaluate construction documents. I understand the science behind stormwater management plans, traffic counts, and environmental impact statements.  Additionally, I have led many public meetings of stakeholders with divergent interests with the goal of seeking common understanding and mutually agreeable outcomes. These varied experiences and technical skills make me uniquely qualified to serve on the Planning Board.

During my five years on the Planning Board I have gained extensive experience and knowledge in the following areas:

• Housing development: I reviewed and approved numerous large and small housing projects which has helped Wellesley meet its State-mandated goal of 10% affordable housing.
• Large House Review: This process mitigates the impacts of storm water drainage, light trespass, shadow, and building mass upon neighboring properties, which protects residents and neighborhoods, promotes sustainability, protects trees and water resources, and preserves Wellesley’s character.
• Project review: I have conducted extensive reviews of large projects including construction of two elementary schools, large renovations at colleges, two life sciences facilities, and numerous commercial projects. This required consideration of stormwater, traffic, and other neighborhood and Town infrastructure impacts.

I have an in-depth understanding of laws, Wellesley zoning bylaws, and regulations as well as institutional knowledge as a Town Meeting Member. I am collaborative and a good listener. These attributes position me to be a major contributor as the Board embarks on preparing a Strategic Housing Plan which will enable the Town to approach development in a more holistic and thoughtful manner.

While originally from Maine, my family, including my husband, Kurt Forsgren, and our three sons have called Wellesley home since 2003.

Serving on the Planning Board has been a great honor and opportunity to serve the people of Wellesley; I would be honored to continue to serve this wonderful community as a member of your Planning Board.

I respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday, March 5.

With warm regards,

Patty Mallett
Wellesley resident

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for your support in my role as a member of the Select Board. I am running for re-election on March 5, 2024, and I would deeply appreciate your vote. As a member of the Select Board, I use my strategic perspective, Wharton MBA, and experience in town government to broaden discussions, make connections, and increase transparency. Most importantly, I use my voice to address challenges and advocate for residents. I believe that better decisions come from listening to all voices and building consensus. It is my honor to serve the residents of Wellesley because I want Wellesley to be a great place for people who live here today, and for those who choose to make Wellesley their home in the future.

For over 18 years, I have served Wellesley in a variety of ways: Select Board, Library Trustee, Town Meeting Member, League of Women Voters Vice President, social action leadership at Temple Beth Elohim (receiving the Tzedek Champion Award for work in racial/housing justice), Schofield PTO, Scouting, and advocate for attainable housing for seniors, young families, and the town’s workforce. I have led strategic planning efforts, created fiscally responsible budgets, worked across town departments, secured funding for capital projects at the Library and the Wellesley Housing Authority, endorsed school initiatives, and fought for the mental health needs of our residents. I am a problem solver and a “do-er.”

I got involved in town politics in 2006, to preserve our two branch libraries, co-chairing a successful fundraising campaign that re-opened the doors of these precious town resources. Today, the branch libraries have been reimagined as a children’s learning space and a cozy reading room—their futures secure. My crowning achievement was the creation of the Fells Branch Heroes Garden, with native plants, musical sculptures, and friendly story spots for families.

My family has lived in Wellesley for almost thirty years. During that time, I witnessed housing becoming an increasing issue for our town. We have seen our small-house inventory vanish, housing prices skyrocket, a decline in the number of resident town employees, and the exodus of our seniors to Needham and Natick. The resulting decline in school enrollment, aging population, and struggling retail businesses impacts Wellesley’s future. Real problems need real solutions. By co-founding Building a Better Wellesley to be the positive voice for thoughtful housing development, I took on addressing these challenges for our residents. My first accomplishment as a member of the Select Board was the passage of an Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw with the support of 90% of Town Meeting, something I was told couldn’t be done. In my second term, I am committed to addressing the housing needs in our community through proactive planning and action, not by responding to private interests. I believe that we need to build consensus on how housing can best ensure our vision for Wellesley’s future.

Beyond town government, I have sought to increase community engagement in discussions by introducing programs that better connect residents to their town officials, educating the community on significant issues, and leading the creation of the LWVW’s online Election Guide.

Our town should be a place where everyone is welcome, built on trust and the ability to listen to all voices. I would like to continue to use my financial expertise, collaborative leadership style and passion for problem solving on the Select Board. Please feel free to reach out to me at amslanza@gmail.com. I ask for your vote on March 5.

Sincerely,
Ann-Mara Lanza
18 Oakland St.

To the editor:

The Wellesley Freedom Team recently received a report that the paper flyers of Israeli hostages that were posted in public locations in Wellesley had then been torn. Those reporting this incident expressed concern that the flyers may have been deliberately defaced, and it made them feel unsafe in our town.

The members of the Freedom Team understand that posting flyers is not permitted on Town property under the Town’s bylaw, and we acknowledge that we don’t know what motivated those who tore the flyers.

The Freedom Team stands with community members who are speaking out peacefully. We support their right to express their views and to be treated with respect and compassion. We stand against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and all acts of terror.  In addition to sharing this information and statement with The Swellesley Report, we have posted it on our website and on X (formerly Twitter).

We invite members of the community to contact the Freedom Team if they have experienced or witnessed racism or bias in our town. We are a group of volunteers who are available to listen to concerns, talk through options, and link people with resources to help them work toward a satisfying resolution.

Thank you,

The Wellesley Freedom Team
Dr. Jorge Allen; Skye Jacobs; Julia Jarquin; Ally Jin; Meghan Jop; Dr. Glen Kim; Haihong Li; Shengli Li; Elaine Mittell; Lise Olney; Chief Jack Pilecki; Rabbi Rachel Saphire; Dr. Donna Stoddard; Dr. Allan Wyatt

Phone: 339-216-0124
Email: WellesleyFreedomTeam@gmail.com

To the editor:

In my capacity as president of the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust (WCLT), and with the WCLT Board’s approval, I have recently sent a letter to the attorney representing the Sisters of Charity, regarding the property at 125 Oakland St., Wellesley. The following is the contents of that letter:

Dear Mr. Himmelberger:

In your capacity as attorney for the property owners of 125 Oakland Street, Wellesley, Mass., I am reaching out to you on behalf of the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust (WCLT), an organization for which I serve as President.

Consistent with the WCLT’s mission since 1958 to preserve and protect natural land in Wellesley, our organization hereby offers to purchase a Conservation Restriction of up to 6-acres at full independently appraised value (TBD) on the property at 125 Oakland Street. Our offer is subject to mutual agreement on boundaries and our raising funds from public and private sources. Our preliminary analysis indicates that a viable Conservation Restriction could be located at the edges of your client’s property in a manner that would help to protect the important natural resources offered by Centennial Reservation, while at the same time allowing for future development options on the remainder of the large lot.

As you may be aware, I first reached out to the Sisters of Charity on June 10, 2022 to reintroduce the Land Trust to them. I wanted to remind them of our shared history as our organization helped raise funds for the purchase of their land by the town which created Centennial Reservation in 1980. I invited them to discuss how protection of the natural environment on their property could also support their objectives in a future transaction of 125 Oakland Street.

On February 26, 2023, prior to Town Meeting where the Sisters of Charity ultimately withdrew the Residential Incentive Overlay (RIO) zoning amendment, I emailed you with a request to discuss options. This email included our suggestion that, “the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust is respectfully requesting the Sisters of Charity halt moving forward with the RIO until the current wetlands, wetlands buffer zones, open space, and forest be fully protected in perpetuity with a Conservation Restriction or other permanent mechanism.”

The latest proposal you presented to the Advisory Committee on September 27, which includes a Special Permit requirement in a zoning amendment to the Educational District, is not adequate in protecting the open space in perpetuity. The Special Permit is a process to follow. It does not guarantee an outcome for protection. This is especially true when your client’s proposed Special Permit provision lacks the kind of written guardrails and requirements previously established by Town Meeting for other uses.

Similar to the Wellesley Conservation Council’s role in the 1980 purchase of Centennial Reservation in fundraising and helping to facilitate the transaction, the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust (same organization, same mission, different name) can facilitate the preservation of this valuable open space while supporting the Sister’s financial aims. We have experience in raising funds for open space protection, and we commit to utilizing that experience in an effort to raise the needed funds to protect these lands in perpetuity while simultaneously allowing the Sisters to sell the land to a new owner. We are a qualified land trust that owns land and Conservation Restrictions in Wellesley, Weston, and Needham. We have a record in managing and protecting land, which gives us credibility with public entities that might be involved in approving a Conservation Restriction. As a land trust, we have access to creative, nationwide preservation organizations that can offer advice in designing, implementing and even considerations of potential tax savings structures for a for-profit end user of the Sisters’ property.

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust believes this offer represents a classic “win-win” which will both help support the Sisters’ goal to sell the property to a for-profit organization and remain at the site while also raising funds for their future, as well as support our mission to preserve the natural lands in Wellesley for future generations. This is a precious property for Wellesley residents as it abuts the town’s largest open space, Centennial Reservation and its contiguous woodlands with neighboring properties, with trails, wildlife, and mature tree canopy providing both carbon sequestration and enjoyment for all.

Please present this offer to your client and I look forward to working out the specific details of a transaction with you.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Tobin
President, Wellesley Conservation Land Trust