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 2019 election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

We invited all eleven candidates in contested races to answer questions about what they bring to the table for the following positions: Board of Selectmen; Natural Resources Commission; Board of Health; Planning Board (5-year term); and Planning Board (1-year term).

Here are links to each interview. If you want a broader look at the election, go to our Wellesley Election 2019 page. You can also view the recording of the Meet the Candidates night event at the bottom of this post.

Board of Selectmen

Jenn Fallon: “I hope to improve transparency and communication between the BOS and the entire Wellesley community. There is so much going on in town and during this race I have learned that many people do not know what the BOS does, never mind the important decisions that are being made on their behalf.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Lise Olney: “I’m committed to preserving our town’s quality of life, while also creating a welcoming environment that’s attainable for people of different ages, incomes, and backgrounds.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Natural Resources Commission

Raina McManus: “One of the NRC’s most important functions will be educating the public on the economic and environmental value the North 40 is currently providing to Wellesley, including drinking water protection and flood control.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Jim Miller: “My top priority is to make NRC a more collaborative partner and build coalitions with other boards in town and the broader community. I view environmentalists, civic and business leaders, schools, and the sports communities as allies and would be a bridge to bring them together.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Board of Health

Linda Oliver Grape: “The prevalence of Substance Use Disorder in the State has reached epidemic proportions; the Board of Health needs to ensure that the Town is adept at caring for and supporting residents with this problem.” READ THE INTERVIEW

James Rodrigue: “Wellesley claims that health and well-being is one of its core values. Talk is cheap. Show me the budget and I’ll see what the town values. It certainly isn’t health, as funding for the Wellesley Health Department – as measured by dollars per resident – is substantially lower than that of most other Massachusetts towns of our size.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Planning Board, 5-year term

Thomas Ahern: “I can talk all day long about the need for early, forward-thinking planning to protect against the town having to react to whatever is proposed by developers. As an example, consider all the 40B projects currently working their way through our Zoning Board of Appeals process.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Patricia Mallett: “I look forward to implementing the Unified Plan and the Housing Production Plan in order to achieve safe harbor with respect to 40B Comprehensive Permit applications. I am also very interested in pursuing the proposed 40R Overlay Zoning for the Wellesley Office Park.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Planning Board, 1-year term

Deed Mccollum: “I hope to lay the foundation for affordable housing; a foundation that leverages the priorities set forth in the Unified Plan: to expand housing options, increase town diversity and make Wellesley a more inclusive, dynamic and resilient community.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Frank Pinto: “Wellesley residents paid $35 million for the North 40 and we need to hear all voices (not just the loudest and most shrill voices) regarding its future. Wellesley was clearly remiss in not developing a housing production plan until now to rationally meet our affordable housing mandate under state law.” READ THE INTERVIEW

Check out Wellesley Public Media for a live 1-hour early election results show Tuesday, March 5  starting at 7:30pm.

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 2019 election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Contested race for 1-year term: Planning Board

The role of the Planning Board is to make short and long term decisions related to land use in the Town of Wellesley. The Planning Board seeks to realize the vision of Wellesley residents for their community through the judicious use of municipal planning and project review. As a result, the Planning Board is responsible for the maintenance and update of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Map, divisions of land, and the review of large-scale projects with Town-wide impacts.

In the 2019 election, there are two Planning Board races — one race is for a one-year term on the Board; one race is for a 5-term on the Board. Frank Pinto is running for the 1-year Board position against Albert Berry and Deed Mccollom for a single available seat.

We invited the three candidates to answer a few questions about their qualifications and their priorities for the Town of Wellesley. Today’s post features Pinto. Deed Mccollum‘s responses ran in an earlier post. We have not received a response from Berry.

Frank Pinto, candidate for one-year term on Planning Board

The Swellesley Report: What is your background and what qualifies you for this position?

Pinto: I have been a Member, Vice Chair and Chair of the Wellesley Advisory Committee which is an expanded version of the typical town finance committee in Massachusetts. The Wellesley Advisory Committee evaluates and makes recommendations not only on all budget and financial issues that are brought to the Town Meeting, but also all other town issues including those that come within the purview of the Planning Board such as amendments of the Zoning By-law.  I am currently a Town Meeting Member and a board member of the Wellesley Council on Aging.

I did specialized course work at Middlebury College in urban planning in addition to economics and environmental studies.  After college, I took a position as an environmental scientist at a prominent environmental consulting firm where I directed environmental impact statements for housing developments, commercial development and industrial projects.  Switching course, I completed an MBA at The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and had a successful career in venture capital and private equity where I helped to finance and grow high tech enterprises as a general partner and managing general partner for private investment funds.  I have been a board member and at times an executive of many small growing companies. I have hired many key people over the years and feel confident that I can play an important role in helping to vet and hire an excellent planning director.

I have been a Wellesley resident since 1986.

Sw: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your tenure on the Planning Board?

Pinto: With the meteoric rise of internet purchasing, retail is leaving our magnificent downtown and we have to be creative to maintain a vibrant downtown. Wellesley needs more attractive and reasonably priced senior housing. Wellesley residents paid $35 million for the North 40 and we need to hear all voices (not just the loudest and most shrill voices) regarding its future. Wellesley was clearly remiss in not developing a housing production plan until now to rationally meet our affordable housing mandate under state law. The Selectmen and the Planning Board need to find common ground to anticipate and lead intelligently in the future.

Sw: What is your hot-button issue?

Pinto: My experience as a member of town boards is that board members may not heed the advice and long term expertise of the town department directors and the staff as much as they should.  In a town of smart, well educated, vocal residents, there is a tendency of board members to overvalue their position when in fact, they should be listening very carefully to the town department heads and employees who have considerably more expertise that the board members.  I plan to listen carefully.

Sw: With the national attention given to the “Impeach Trump” banner at a Wellesley Hills home, can you comment how the bylaws related to that issue should be addressed?

Pinto: Our Bylaw does not regulate content, but it does establish reasonable regulation on all types of speech, commercial or non-commercial.  In a residential zone, the Bylaw is less restrictive on non-commercial speech than commercial messages.  Any homeowner may put up one “Standard Informational Sign” at all times of the year, limited to 6 sq. ft. in area and 3′ or 6′ in height, depending on the style; the content of this sign is no matter to the Town.  The Planning Department feels the Bylaw is Constitutional. If the Wellesley Hills resident had installed a 6 sq. ft. sign that said the same thing, there would have been no violation issued. My opinion, the bylaw is fine and homeowners should follow the 6 sq. ft. rule.

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

[email protected]

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 2019 election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Contested race for 1-year term: Planning Board

The role of the Planning Board is to make short and long term decisions related to land use in the Town of Wellesley. The Planning Board seeks to realize the vision of Wellesley residents for their community through the judicious use of municipal planning and project review. As a result, the Planning Board is responsible for the maintenance and update of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Map, divisions of land, and the review of large-scale projects with Town-wide impacts.

In the 2019 election, there are two Planning Board races — one race is for a one-year term on the Board; one race is for a 5-term on the Board. Deed Mccollum is running for the 1-year Board position against Albert Berry and Frank Pinto for a single available seat.

We invited the three candidates to answer a few questions about their qualifications and their priorities for the Town of Wellesley. Today’s post features Mccollum. Frank Pinto‘s responses will run in a later post. We have not received a response from Berry.

Deed Mccollum, candidate for one-year term on Planning Board

The Swellesley Report: What is your background and what qualifies you for this position?

Deed Mccollum: I have been a town resident for 29 years. I am an active citizen participant in town government attending meetings, reviewing minutes and conducting outreach to elected officials and town employees. I have been a Healthcare Administrator for over 20 years,, most recently at Boston Medical Center. I was responsible for a $10.25 million budget and the work of 135+ employees. I have extensive experience navigating change from opening health centers, implementing new systems, to promulgating regulatory changes. I have a strong appreciation and understanding of organizational change and the importance of comprehensive planning and the need to build resilience for the unexpected. I have been an active Board member for two not-for-profit organizations, the World of Wellesley and a small start-up. I am also the elected President of a landowner’s association that has addressed controversial issues such as third-party rentals and forestry management for wildlife diversity and homeowner recreational use.

Sw: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your tenure on the Planning Board?

Mccollum: Over the foreseeable future, Wellesley will experience changes resulting from 40B/R projects and the Housing Production Plan. The Planning Dept. will be reviewing the zoning by-laws, design standards and guidelines to align with the Unified Plan. I hope to lay the foundation for affordable housing; a foundation that leverages the priorities set forth in the Unified Plan: to expand housing options, increase town diversity and make Wellesley a more inclusive, dynamic and resilient community.

Sw: What is your hot button issue?

Mccollum: I do not have a “hot button” issue. I wish to give back to the community. If elected, I will bring a balanced perspective and abide to “do no harm” by thinking strategically about the impact today’s decisions will have on future generations. I would like to see Wellesley viewed, by those outside of the community, as a welcome and inclusive town.

Sw: With the national attention given to the “Impeach Trump” banner at a Wellesley Hills home, can you comment how the bylaws related to that issue should be addressed?

The Zoning By-Laws for signage, Section XXIIA, are lengthy (23 pages). A stated purpose of the By-Laws, “to protect the rights of individuals and businesses to convey their messages through signs” is presently limited by size restrictions. This “incident” provides an opportunity to review what limits, if any, should exist for residential signs that do not: pose a safety risk to others, significantly obstruct architectural features of a house, or contain offensive language. I was happy to hear the incident ended amicably and believe, with clarification, the potential for future incidents will be avoided. I also believe that in a tolerant society, personal expression is healthy and necessary.

Sw: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Mccollum: Democracy is a team sport and requires participation. Please vote on March 5.

Sw: How should voters reach you?

Mccollum: I welcome questions. Feel free to contact me at: [email protected]

The League of Women Voters of Wellesley is offering free rides to the polls to voters registered in Wellesley on Tuesday, March 5.  To arrange a ride, contact the League’s Erry Johnson: [email protected], 617-571-2599.

The Council on Aging also offers rides to the polls through its transportation services. Passengers must be Wellesley residents age 60+ and be registered with the council. These rides can be requested by calling 781-235-3046 or emailing [email protected]

More on Wellesley Election 2019

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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 2019 election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Contested race for 5-year term: Planning Board

The role of the Planning Board is to make short and long term decisions related to land use in the Town of Wellesley. The Planning Board seeks to realize the vision of Wellesley residents for their community through the judicious use of municipal planning and project review. As a result, the Planning Board is responsible for the maintenance and update of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Map, divisions of land, and the review of large-scale projects with Town-wide impacts.

In the 2019 election, there are two Planning Board races — one race is for a one-year term on the Board; one race is for a 5-term on the Board. Patricia Mallett is running against Thomas Ahern for a 5-year term.

We invited the two candidates to answer a few questions about their qualifications and their priorities for the Town of Wellesley. Ahern’s answers ran in a post yesterday.

Patricia Mallett, candidate for Planning Board

The Swellesley Report: What is your background and what qualifies you for this position?

Mallett: I am a registered Civil Engineer in CA and MA and currently work as a Project Manager with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. I have found that many of my job responsibilities have translated to my role as an appointed member of the Planning Board; ranging from reading construction plans/specifications, storm water management plans and traffic and environmental studies. Additionally, my experience leading public meetings for my engineering projects is directly applicable.

Sw: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your tenure on the Planning Board?

Mallett: If I am fortunate enough to retain my position on the Planning Board after the March 5 election, I look forward to implementing the Unified Plan and the Housing Production Plan in order to achieve safe harbor with respect to 40B Comprehensive Permit applications. I am also very interested in pursuing the proposed 40R Overlay Zoning for the Wellesley Office Park.

Sw: What is your hot-button issue?

Mallett: Since my appointment to the Planning Board last summer, I have observed that our residents are most concerned about the impacts of the multiple 40B Comprehensive Permit applications on the Town, specifically the projected increased traffic and population density. I hope to continue working on the Town’s response to these applications to responsibly provide more diverse housing within Wellesley.

Sw: With the national attention given to the “Impeach Trump” banner at a Wellesley Hills home, can you comment how the bylaws related to that issue should be addressed?

Mallett: Our Zoning Bylaws govern the size and location of signs, etc. but not the content. This is to protect the constitutional right of free speech. I believe the issue regarding the “Impeach Trump” banner relates more to an inconsistent enforcement of the bylaws, which is something the Planning Board and the Town can address moving forward.

Sw: Is there anything else you would like to say that the above questions did not cover?

Mallett: I would just like to ask for everyone’s vote. Thank you!

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

Mallett: I look forward to providing additional information via my email, [email protected]

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 2019 election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Contested race for 5-year term: Planning Board

The role of the Planning Board is to make short and long term decisions related to land use in the Town of Wellesley. The Planning Board seeks to realize the vision of Wellesley residents for their community through the judicious use of municipal planning and project review. As a result, the Planning Board is responsible for the maintenance and update of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Map, divisions of land, and the review of large-scale projects with Town-wide impacts.

In the 2019 election, there are two Planning Board races — one race is for a one-year term on the Board; one race is for a 5-term on the Board. Thomas Ahern is running agains Patricia Mallett for a 5-year term.

We invited the two candidates to answer a few questions about their qualifications and their priorities for the Town of Wellesley. Mallett’s answers will run in a post tomorrow..

Thomas Ahern, candidate for Planning Board

The Swellesley Report: What is your background and what qualifies you for this position?

Ahern: For the past 25 years I have been directly engaged in planning, development and public policy matters that are specific to the daily work of municipal planning agencies. My early, public sector career included time working in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where I played in lead role in the creation and passage of the Brownfields redevelopment law and the state’s renewable energy trust fund. Later, as a deputy director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, I led planning and economic development initiatives in industrial areas of the city, and in neighborhoods typically underserved by private investment. I learned first-hand how pro-active planning and consensus building among citizens and development interests can lead to positive community development.

After nine years working as a development consultant, I started my own firm that specializes in building grassroots support for a diverse portfolio of clients, including renewable energy, senior care, medical cannabis, transit-oriented development and multi-family housing. This work has led me to work before planning boards, zoning boards, and town/city councils in forty states, the District of Columbia and Canada. I’ve seen, and experienced, what makes for an effective planning board- and what doesn’t. Over the course of hundreds of development projects, I’ve accumulated experience in nearly every type of development, and honed skills in community engagement that I believe would be a unique specialty to the Wellesley Planning Board.

Sw: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your tenure on the Planning Board?

Ahern: The most critical goal I have for my possible tenure is to more actively engage the community with the Planning Board process. I was first encouraged to run because of the many people I have heard from who felt the planning board process was inaccessible to them. As a strong believer in citizen engagement, I believe I can positively impact how the Planning Board interacts with citizens and abutters to proposed projects.

My second goal is to help quicken the pace for planning on a number of issues, including affordable housing, youth playing fields, the North 40 site, the Tailby and Railroad parking lot redevelopments, and encouraging more sustainable planning and development. Finally, I would like to be a champion of planning for new opportunities for Wellesley to expand its non-residential tax base. In early January, many Wellesley homeowners received an increase in their home and property valuations (and higher property tax bills). These higher tax bills, combined with a number of likely spending needs over the next few years, are going to make living in Wellesley more difficult for many of our neighbors. Planning for, and encouraging, a more diverse tax base is key to addressing these concerns.

Sw: What is your hot-button issue?

Ahern: As my family and friends would tell you, I can talk all day long about the need for early, forward-thinking planning to protect against the town having to react to whatever is proposed by developers. As an example, consider all the 40B projects currently working their way through our Zoning Board of Appeals process. For a number of years, we have known that the town was well under the required number units of affordable housing. Yet, it was not until the past year that our town put together a real planning process to address these legitimate needs, both for working families as well as seniors. As a result, we have been in a defensive position as we try to address concerns with specifics of the assorted plans. Our recently state-approved housing production plan is finally moving us forward in this issue, but it should serve to encourage us to embrace early and creative planning of what we want Wellesley to be in ten or twenty years. I should also add that I’m actively involved with our youth sports organizations and would like to see us plan for how we can enhance opportunities to improve the existing playing fields. This includes a priority for providing equity with girls and boys sports facilities.

Sw: With the national attention given to the “Impeach Trump” banner at a Wellesley Hills home, can you comment how the bylaws related to that issue should be addressed?

Ahern: Our current sign bylaw, twenty-four pages long and quite specific in terms of what can and can’t be hung or posted around town, seems plenty detailed already to address concerns. The banner that was hung by a resident, while displaying a political messages that some may agree or disagree with, seems more of a free speech issue than anything else. From a strictly bylaw perspective, I don’t think we need to waste valuable time addressing what is likely an outlier occurrence.

Sw: Is there anything else you would like to say that the above questions did not cover?

Ahern: My wife, Nichole Bernier, and I have lived in Wellesley with our five kids for twelve years. We truly love our town and all the wonderful things that make Wellesley a great place to live and raise a family. I’ve been actively engaged in the community, from coaching over 50 youth baseball and basketball teams, serving as president of Wellesley Youth Baseball & Softball- Wellesley Little League, serving on the Wellesley Middle School Council, the HHU Committee, and organizing public school parents to support the WHS debt exclusion vote in 2008.

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

Ahern: I can be reached on my cell phone for calls or texts at 781-385-9223, or by email at [email protected]. You are also welcome to come by our house- we have chickens for the kids to play with and the backyard rink is in great shape this year. Bring your skates!

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 2019 election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Contested race: Board of Health

The mission of the Wellesley Health Department is to assess and address the needs of the Wellesley community, in order to protect and improve the health and quality of life of its residents and work force.

This charge is carried out in part by the Board of Health. There are three members of the Board. Secretary Lloyd Tarlin, MD will vacate his seat when it expires in 2019. There are two candidates vying for that spot: Linda Oliver Grape and Dr. Jim Rodrigue. Grape’s responses were part of an earlier post. We invited them to answer a few questions about their qualifications and their priorities for the Town of Wellesley.

Dr. Jim Rodrigue, candidate for Board of Health

The Swellesley Report: What is your background and what qualifies you for this position?

Dr. Jim Rodrigue: I’ve been in healthcare for 30 years – as a clinician, a researcher, a teacher, and an administrator. I’m a Professor of Surgery and Psychiatry in the Harvard Medical School, and I’m the Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I have been funded for over 20 years by the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on how best to reduce social, economic, and racial disparities in healthcare. I have chaired many committees at the university level as well as nationally and internationally in my area of specialty. As a clinical psychologist, academic leader, and health outcomes researcher, I have considerable experience in program development and evaluation, strategic planning, policy development, fiscal management, and building collaborative relationships. Also, I am an elected Town Meeting Member and a member of the Recreation Commission. I believe that my healthcare background, leadership experience, and town engagement/governance will be invaluable assets to the Board of Health.

Sw: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your 3-year tenure on the Board?

Rodrigue: Despite its affluence, Wellesley is not immune to mental health problems, addiction, food insecurity, domestic violence, limited access to affordable healthcare, and the adverse impact of climate change on public health. I will work with other Board members to ensure that the Director of the Health Department (Leonard Izzo) has the sufficient resources to carry out the many activities that are consistent with the Department’s mission:

 Implement disease prevention and health promotion programs
 Provide community health, nursing, and mental health services
 Conduct public outreach and education
 Conduct compliance inspections for 160+ food permit holders to minimize community
health risk
 Respond to emerging health threats within the community (e.g., tobacco and nicotine
delivery products, opioid crisis)
 Minimize the risks of climate change on public health
 Conduct housing and environmental inspections

In addition, I have five core initiatives that I will prioritize in the first six months of my term:
i. Increase funding for Health Department
ii. Expand mental health resources available to residents, particularly for middle and high
school-age youths
iii. Tighten regulations for tobacco and nicotine delivery products to limit availability
iv. Pursue later school start times for middle and high school students in Wellesley Public
Schools (data show substantial health benefits)
v. Implement “Environmental Sustainability for Public Health” initiative

Sw: What is your hot-button issue?

Rodrigue:  I would characterize all five items above as “hot-button” items. However, the Health Department needs more funding to pursue these initiatives and to administer their usual day-to-day activities. Wellesley claims that health and well-being is one of its core values. Talk is cheap. Show me the budget and I’ll see what the town values. It certainly isn’t health, as funding for the Wellesley Health Department – as measured by dollars per resident – is substantially lower than that of most other
Massachusetts towns of our size. This inadequate funding level has real consequences, including an inability to respond to emerging health threats (e.g., opioid crisis, nicotine delivery products, etc.), delays in implementing new policies and regulations that place public health and safety at risk, grossly insufficient attention to mental health problems in our children and adolescents (see the Metro West Adolescent Health Survey findings), and the risk of losing outstanding Health Department employees. What Mr. Izzo and his staff have been able to accomplish for town residents, despite insufficient funding, is nothing short of heroic – but this must change.

Sw: What is the greatest health-related need in Wellesley?

Rodrigue: There are several important health-related needs in Wellesley. If I must choose only one it would be the mental health needs of the youth in town. I encourage everyone to read the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey findings (available from WPS) and the Public Health and Wellness Chapter of the Wellesley Unified Plan. Critical unmet mental health needs identified in these reports. Add to this the emerging addiction to nicotine delivery products among adolescents and we are rapidly
moving toward a crisis in our town.

Sw: Is there anything you would like to say that the above questions did not cover?

Rodrigue: Along with my wife and three daughters, I’ve lived in Wellesley for nearly 13 years and I am grateful for the many benefits we have accrued from being part of this wonderful community. As a member of the Board of Health, I will commit my time and expertise to ensure the well-being of our neighbors, young and old, and to raise the overall health of the community. I would be honored to have your support and vote on March 5th.

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

Rodrigue: I’m very accessible and appreciate hearing about any issues or concerns that may impact the health of our neighbors and community. Please email me at: [email protected].

MORE: Wellesley election 2019