Wellesley’s Climate Action Committee (CAC, Committee) seeks a new member to be appointed by the Select Board for a term spanning July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027. Applicants should email a paragraph describing their interest and background to Sustainability Director Marybeth Martello at [email protected] by Friday, March 15. The CAC will accept applications from Thursday, February 15 to Friday, March 15.

Candidates should be committed to the CAC’s mission of reducing town-wide greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Responsibilities include attending CAC meetings one to two times per month (currently scheduled from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on Fridays), taking an active role in CAC projects, and eventually coordinating one or more initiatives related to Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Projects often involve engagement with Town departments and boards, grassroots and non-profit groups, nearby communities, regional associations, and state and federal agencies. Candidates should possess:

• A strong interest in climate action;
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills;
• Experience with initiating and leading projects; and
• The ability to collaborate with Town departments, boards, and other stakeholders.

Background Information for 2024 CAC Member Position Description
The Climate Action Committee (CAC) consists of four Select Board-appointed members, plus one representative from each of the following: Select Board, School Committee, and Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP). In accordance with the bylaw establishing the CAC, the Select Board appoints the four members from residents active in the Town’s volunteer sustainable energy initiatives or others who bring relevant expertise, such as knowledge about climate action, sustainability, clean energy, marketing, or community engagement.

In 2021- 2, the Committee led development of a Climate Action Plan (CAP) for achieving townwide greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) reduction goals established by Town Meeting. The CAC supports CAP implementation through work with Town departments, community organizations, residents, the commercial sector, and colleges to reduce emissions from municipal, residential, commercial, and institutional sectors and to support climate action related to governance, energy, buildings, mobility, natural resources, and waste.

The CAC (formerly the Sustainable Energy Committee) was established in 2010 and has led or contributed to many successful initiatives, including Wellesley’s:
• Climate Action Plan, engaging over 70 stakeholders across six working groups.
• Municipal Sustainable Building Guidelines, garnering support from seven building proponent boards and leading to development of two new net zero ready elementary schools, an all-electric Town Hall, and plans for an all-electric Warren Building renovation.
• Building Energy Roundtable engaging Wellesley’s large commercial property owners and encouraging building decarbonization.
• Gas Transitions Working Group – working to identify and track methane leaks (particularly those with the highest level of methane emissions) and advocating for repair at the regional and state levels.
• Green Community designation, earning over $475,000 in grant funds to support municipal energy conservation measures.
• Three popular Electric Vehicle Showcase and Test Drive Events.
• Multiple solar installations including at 70 households and three houses of faith.
• Progress on energy efficiency via a Power to Save campaign, workshops at the Council on Aging, and decarbonization audits.
• WasteWise – a collaboration of the Natural Resources Commission, Department of Public Works (DPW) and CAC to identify and capitalize on win-win opportunities associated with sustainable materials management.
• Residential food waste drop-off program at the RDF and school food waste diversion and food rescue.
• First municipal EV Charging Station
• Town-wide Mobility Committee and Electric Vehicle Working Group.
• Green Collaborative to educate and coordinate grass roots groups, individuals, and municipal departments on sustainability issues.
​• Annual Monitoring and reporting of townwide GHG Emissions and efforts to reduce emissions.

All you need to know about how Wellesley’s Town Government works and how to get involved is the topic of an event on December 7th at 7pm on Zoom, thanks to League of Women Voters of Wellesley.

If you are interested in running for Public Office in Wellesley, or just curious about who makes decision in our town and why, then please be part of this Zoom meeting where KC Kato, Town Clerk, and Mark Kaplan, Town Moderator will explain the nuts and bolts of a campaign and what’s on the ballot and provide the basics on how our town government works.

Together, they will be available to answer all your questions.

Register here in advance for this event, or on lwvwellesley.org.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For more information on how to run, visit LWVW's Road Map to Running for Office, which includes: a concise Resources for Wellesley Town Election Candidates, Town of Wellesley 2023 Election Candidate Handbook , and the Town Government Handbook 2022. 

​TOWN OF WELLESLEY ELECTION CALENDAR 2023

Nomination Papers Available from Town Clerk
Appointment recommended 
December 7, 2022 at Noon

Last day to obtain Nomination Papers for town-wide offices
January 13, 2023 at 5 pm

Last day to return Nomination papers for town-wide offices (50 Signatures)
January 17, 2023 at 5 pm

Last day for incumbent TMM to file notice of candidacy with Town Clerk
January 24, 2023 at 5 pm

Last day to obtain Nomination papers for new TMM candidates
January 27, 2023 at 5 pm

Last day to return Nomination papers for new TMM candidates (10 signatures in precinct)
January 31, 2023 at 5 pm

Drawing for position on the ballot
February 1, 2023 at 9 am

Last day to register to vote for March 7, 2023 Annual Town Election (9 am to 5 pm)
February 25, 2023

LWV Candidates Night
February 16, 2023, 7 pm

Annual Town Election (7 am to 8 pm)
March 7, 2023

Annual Town Meeting begins
March 27, 2023 at 7 pm

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to promoting civic responsibility through informed and active participation in government.