One seat out of three (three-year term)
The board oversees the Department of Public Works (DPW), which consists of the following programs: Engineering, Park, Highway, Recycling & Disposal, Management Services, Water, and Sewer.
Q1. What is your track record on environmental sustainability, including any related interests, experience, or initiatives?
A1.
Scott Bender-
As a life-long Wellesley resident, I am committed to excellence in town-wide infrastructure, responsible resource utilization and fiscal responsibility. The path that led to the DPW started in 2002 when I toured solar homes and became excited to learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation. I was hooked! I tried everything under (and including) the sun to maximize conservation and efficiency. In the process I learned what works and doesn’t work.
Enthusiastic about sharing this with the community, I invited other engaged residents and founded Sustainable Wellesley. That same year I was appointed by the Board of Selectmen (BoS) to the Town’s Green Ribbon Study Committee (GRSC) to establish an emissions baseline, reduction goal and Sustainable Energy Plan. At the conclusion of the GRSC I was again appointed by the BoS to the Sustainable Energy Committee (SEC). In both organizations, I spent more than 10 years engaged in community outreach including organizing a series of seminars, often sponsored by Wellesley’s Municipal Light Plant, featuring programs and incentives targeting residential energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy.
During my eight years on the SEC I had many opportunities to work with board members and employees of the Municipal Light Plant and Department of Public Works, including the Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF), and forged relationships with past MLP Director Dick Joyce, as well as our new MLP Director, Don Newell.
Last year I was elected to the Board of Public Works and also successfully brought a citizens petition to town meeting to convert our Voluntary renewable program from opt-in to opt-out. I am now part of the Renewable Energy working group.
I am an Engineer with decades of experience evaluating new technologies, developing and implementing unique solutions. As a Product Manager I have successfully managed multiple, multi-million dollar projects on time and within budget. My experience with strategic planning and product lifecycle management qualifies me to work with the DPW and MLP teams to further optimize processes in town infrastructure improvement and maintenance and resource utilization - including preparing to mitigate climate change in financially and environmentally compatible ways.
I have successfully leveraged Municipal programs to inspire individual action. Now, I am excited to work on the Board of Public Works to develop programs and policies for residential, commercial and municipal sectors. There is a huge financial and environmental win-win opportunity that will enable us all to save money, reduce waste and improve infrastructure. Together with the DPW and MLP staff we can make critical decisions that will improve the quality of life in our town for years to come.
Personally, our household has reduced its waste and water usage without compromise in our lifestyle. More significantly, we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions 80% while saving thousands of dollars annually on energy costs in our home. I aim to achieve comparable goals for the whole town.
If re-elected, I would work to mitigate climate change in financially and environmentally compatible ways and prioritize the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be a steward of the environment in all my decision-making.
Q2. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in October 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Board of Public Works and the Municipal Light Plant in the months and years ahead? What additional actions will you champion to ensure that the Town meets its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A2.
Scott Bender-
I enthusiastically voted in favor of this resolution and was thrilled it passed as it will enable all Town departments to take actions in response to the accelerating climate crisis. I am currently working on Wellesley Electric Customer Accelerated Reduction of Emissions (WECARE) as well as electricity and water conservation initiatives and will continue to do so if re-elected.
While the overarching priority is to maintain safe, high quality and efficiently maintained infrastructure, there are a variety of ways the DPW and MLP can do it's part. Some are occurring presently and some can be enhanced. For example:
With 250+ gas leaks in Wellesley, I intend to educate and encourage our community to move away from gas, as the infrastructure is deteriorating. In addition, by having the Wellesley DPW collaborate with other communities I hope to accelerate National Grid’s rate of gas leak repair and pipe replacement. This would contribute to greenhouse gas reduction, a Town goal.
I will continue to collaborate on initiatives to increase the financial benefit of the RDF, while reducing our community's waste stream. I will work to steer Wellesley towards reducing the amount of waste going to landfills by building on already successful initiatives like the food-waste diversion project, and seek ways to increase resident participation of the RDF while reducing the amount of trash generated by the community through consumer best practices.
The DPW can prioritize identification of projects to support the town’s Complete Streets Policy approved in Spring 2019. Complete Streets promises to provide safe accessible options for walking, biking and transit vehicles to contribute to the safety, health and quality of life in our community.
In addition, I will support the DPW’s programs which protect our town’s water supply, and look for ways to work with other boards like the Natural Resources Commission to protect our wellhead areas, and further encourage our community to reduce pesticide use. I would also like to explore and implement the latest in natural stormwater infrastructure. For instance, the natural infrastructure techniques used throughout Fuller Brook Park may be applicable elsewhere in town. I’m excited about the town’s participation in the new Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, which aligns with my goal of having the DPW and our whole town prepared to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
Q3. Despite a resolution by Town Meeting to cut carbon emissions 25% by 2020, the Town has achieved just a 12% decrease. What are your views on how best to achieve this goal and then meet future goals including striving to generate 100% of Wellesley’s electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2050 (or even 2030)?
A3.
Scott Bender-
There are a large number of efficiency and conservation opportunities. Some are as easy as changing a light (or turning it off), appliance settings or walking/biking around town. Other changes have an up-front cost such as insulation, new appliances, installing solar panels or buying a more efficient vehicle. These changes often pay-off over months or years and some of these initiatives are supported with incentives from our MLP. These are just a few of a very long list of opportunities that we all need to work toward implementing in the coming months and years. In the short term our town has the opportunity to increase our renewable energy portfolio. I support 100% renewable energy by 2045. I am also committed to the critical milestones along the way including 100% non-emitting, increased local solar and battery for resiliency, smarter grid to facilitate best practice in conservation, efficiency and electrification of transportation and heating/cooling.
Q4. What are your views on whether Wellesley should adopt a zero waste goal and create a plan to achieve it?
A4.
Scott Bender-
We should live in a way that can be sustained for hundreds or even thousands of years without detriment to our ecosystem. Although my priority has been to stop irreparable impact to our climate with continued GHG emissions, we should also have a long term goal to produce zero waste and develop a roadmap to achieve that goal as well.
The board oversees the Department of Public Works (DPW), which consists of the following programs: Engineering, Park, Highway, Recycling & Disposal, Management Services, Water, and Sewer.
Q1. What is your track record on environmental sustainability, including any related interests, experience, or initiatives?
A1.
Scott Bender-
As a life-long Wellesley resident, I am committed to excellence in town-wide infrastructure, responsible resource utilization and fiscal responsibility. The path that led to the DPW started in 2002 when I toured solar homes and became excited to learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation. I was hooked! I tried everything under (and including) the sun to maximize conservation and efficiency. In the process I learned what works and doesn’t work.
Enthusiastic about sharing this with the community, I invited other engaged residents and founded Sustainable Wellesley. That same year I was appointed by the Board of Selectmen (BoS) to the Town’s Green Ribbon Study Committee (GRSC) to establish an emissions baseline, reduction goal and Sustainable Energy Plan. At the conclusion of the GRSC I was again appointed by the BoS to the Sustainable Energy Committee (SEC). In both organizations, I spent more than 10 years engaged in community outreach including organizing a series of seminars, often sponsored by Wellesley’s Municipal Light Plant, featuring programs and incentives targeting residential energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy.
During my eight years on the SEC I had many opportunities to work with board members and employees of the Municipal Light Plant and Department of Public Works, including the Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF), and forged relationships with past MLP Director Dick Joyce, as well as our new MLP Director, Don Newell.
Last year I was elected to the Board of Public Works and also successfully brought a citizens petition to town meeting to convert our Voluntary renewable program from opt-in to opt-out. I am now part of the Renewable Energy working group.
I am an Engineer with decades of experience evaluating new technologies, developing and implementing unique solutions. As a Product Manager I have successfully managed multiple, multi-million dollar projects on time and within budget. My experience with strategic planning and product lifecycle management qualifies me to work with the DPW and MLP teams to further optimize processes in town infrastructure improvement and maintenance and resource utilization - including preparing to mitigate climate change in financially and environmentally compatible ways.
I have successfully leveraged Municipal programs to inspire individual action. Now, I am excited to work on the Board of Public Works to develop programs and policies for residential, commercial and municipal sectors. There is a huge financial and environmental win-win opportunity that will enable us all to save money, reduce waste and improve infrastructure. Together with the DPW and MLP staff we can make critical decisions that will improve the quality of life in our town for years to come.
Personally, our household has reduced its waste and water usage without compromise in our lifestyle. More significantly, we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions 80% while saving thousands of dollars annually on energy costs in our home. I aim to achieve comparable goals for the whole town.
If re-elected, I would work to mitigate climate change in financially and environmentally compatible ways and prioritize the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be a steward of the environment in all my decision-making.
Q2. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in October 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Board of Public Works and the Municipal Light Plant in the months and years ahead? What additional actions will you champion to ensure that the Town meets its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A2.
Scott Bender-
I enthusiastically voted in favor of this resolution and was thrilled it passed as it will enable all Town departments to take actions in response to the accelerating climate crisis. I am currently working on Wellesley Electric Customer Accelerated Reduction of Emissions (WECARE) as well as electricity and water conservation initiatives and will continue to do so if re-elected.
While the overarching priority is to maintain safe, high quality and efficiently maintained infrastructure, there are a variety of ways the DPW and MLP can do it's part. Some are occurring presently and some can be enhanced. For example:
With 250+ gas leaks in Wellesley, I intend to educate and encourage our community to move away from gas, as the infrastructure is deteriorating. In addition, by having the Wellesley DPW collaborate with other communities I hope to accelerate National Grid’s rate of gas leak repair and pipe replacement. This would contribute to greenhouse gas reduction, a Town goal.
I will continue to collaborate on initiatives to increase the financial benefit of the RDF, while reducing our community's waste stream. I will work to steer Wellesley towards reducing the amount of waste going to landfills by building on already successful initiatives like the food-waste diversion project, and seek ways to increase resident participation of the RDF while reducing the amount of trash generated by the community through consumer best practices.
The DPW can prioritize identification of projects to support the town’s Complete Streets Policy approved in Spring 2019. Complete Streets promises to provide safe accessible options for walking, biking and transit vehicles to contribute to the safety, health and quality of life in our community.
In addition, I will support the DPW’s programs which protect our town’s water supply, and look for ways to work with other boards like the Natural Resources Commission to protect our wellhead areas, and further encourage our community to reduce pesticide use. I would also like to explore and implement the latest in natural stormwater infrastructure. For instance, the natural infrastructure techniques used throughout Fuller Brook Park may be applicable elsewhere in town. I’m excited about the town’s participation in the new Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, which aligns with my goal of having the DPW and our whole town prepared to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
Q3. Despite a resolution by Town Meeting to cut carbon emissions 25% by 2020, the Town has achieved just a 12% decrease. What are your views on how best to achieve this goal and then meet future goals including striving to generate 100% of Wellesley’s electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2050 (or even 2030)?
A3.
Scott Bender-
There are a large number of efficiency and conservation opportunities. Some are as easy as changing a light (or turning it off), appliance settings or walking/biking around town. Other changes have an up-front cost such as insulation, new appliances, installing solar panels or buying a more efficient vehicle. These changes often pay-off over months or years and some of these initiatives are supported with incentives from our MLP. These are just a few of a very long list of opportunities that we all need to work toward implementing in the coming months and years. In the short term our town has the opportunity to increase our renewable energy portfolio. I support 100% renewable energy by 2045. I am also committed to the critical milestones along the way including 100% non-emitting, increased local solar and battery for resiliency, smarter grid to facilitate best practice in conservation, efficiency and electrification of transportation and heating/cooling.
Q4. What are your views on whether Wellesley should adopt a zero waste goal and create a plan to achieve it?
A4.
Scott Bender-
We should live in a way that can be sustained for hundreds or even thousands of years without detriment to our ecosystem. Although my priority has been to stop irreparable impact to our climate with continued GHG emissions, we should also have a long term goal to produce zero waste and develop a roadmap to achieve that goal as well.