Two seats out of five are open (three- year terms)
The Select Board serves as the chief executive board of the Town, and as such, oversees all matters affecting the interest and welfare of the community. The Board exercises the authority vested in the Town not specifically assigned by law to any other board or office.
Question1. Given that the Select Board is responsible for making appointments to several important town committees, how will you ensure that members of these committees understand that Wellesley has an emissions reduction goal to meet?
Odessa Sanchez-
It's true the Select Board is charged with some of the responsibilities of appointments, but not all. One should remember chosing certain committee members is a shared role with Moderator along with other factors. The town of Wellesley announced last year a climate action plan that relies heavily on seeking individual actions by residents to help the town meet an ambitious goal of net- zero emissions by 2050. My first grandchild will be 27 by then, and we shouldn't be discouraged by the " ambitious " undertaking. The Select Board , as a supporter of these initiatives, should look for appointees who show interest in seeing the brighter future. An individual willing to strengthen the clean power plan, scale up residential and commercial energy efficiency, encourage industrial energy efficiency, and educate on reducing, recycling, and reusable materials.
Beth Sullivan Woods-
Tom Ulfelder -
I would first ensure that information about the emissions reduction goals is part of the initial conversation with the applicant. Information on emissions reduction should be provided with the form every person is asked to complete expressing their interest in specific committees along with their background. The Select Board can provide a package of information that describes town goals for emissions reduction and a code of conduct for participation in town government. Once someone is under consideration for a specific committee, there is an opportunity to meet with the applicant and discuss in greater detail their awareness of and commitment to sustainability and Wellesley’s emissions reduction goals.
Question 2. As you may know, National Grid comes to the Selectboard for grants to open the streets and expand gas service often. Towns, such as Newton, are adopting resolutions to address the persistent problem of the unhealthy, unsafe, costly and emissions-emitting gas leaks. Such resolutions request that National Grid disclose more specifics about projects, enabling the municipality to determine if the emitting hydrogen PVC piping is necessary; and ensure that the pipes are repaired before being replaced and increasing volume. In addition, many communities (Newton, Arlington, Boston) are passing and proposing resolutions to move away from gas and to electrify residences and businesses instead. Are these resolutions something you would support and why/why not?
Odessa Sanchez-
I, perhaps like my neighbors are concerned about frequent National Grid maintenance and alarming yellow flags popping up on the lawns, but as we consider expanding programs that reduce costly and unhealthy emissions, I would only support initiatives that are not designed to create a financial or obligatory pushback on any individual who is unable to participate or comply completely. Environmental concerns may have more then one lense to them. The environmental justice piece is what impacts the part of the community who needs it the most.
Beth Sullivan Woods
Tom Ulfelder -
I support resolutions that address gas leaks. They are an important step toward building pressure on the gas utilities to repair a very significant environmental and public health problem. I believe such resolutions to be consistent with the effort already underway in Wellesley. Resolutions are an important demonstration of community values. They enable local government and the legislature to make decisions consistent with the resolutions knowing that support exists. National Grid has engaged in a self-serving analysis regarding their classification of gas leaks and their required response. Unfortunately, the result is more favorable to National Grid’s profitability than to the community’s public health. While serving on the Select Board, I have seen National Grid resist a commitment to identify and repair leaks in the very same location as their proposed project. My concern, however, is whether resolutions are enough to force change adequate to address the problem. They are an important demonstration of community support but not a substitute for a regulatory and legislative effort that mandates change. Within Wellesley, we are fortunate that town boards, the Municipal Light Plant, and commercial developers are committed to electrification and to ensuring that we have the necessary supply capacity to meet the increased electrical demand. The two new elementary schools, Town Hall, and the new residential housing at the Wellesley Office Park are evidence of the movement toward electrification. In addition to new commercial development, there needs to be an ongoing effort to secure electrification within residential construction and existing commercial buildings. The 2023 Annual Town Meeting will have an opportunity to address this in part through Article 36 calling on the town to adopt the municipal opt-in stretch building code, which applies to new construction. By requiring that locations for HVAC equipment are pre-wired for heat pumps, more homeowners may request an analysis of the installation, operational costs, and benefits to electrification and make that choice.
Question 3. The state of MA has a solid MBTA Communities Program to address the housing and climate crises. With 3 commuter rail stops in the community and not enough dense housing, Wellesley is an ideal candidate. Since the town owns lots directly on the commuter rail, managed by the SelectBoard, would you support putting housing there?
Odessa Sanchez-
The MBTA Community program, is a project that is well meaning, depending on the community. Wellesley being " ideal" is sort of ambitious, with the exception of the Town owning the property. The state expects commuter towns to have full functioning bus lines, which Wellesley doesn't have. A commuter station residence would only be ideal if mobility was easy, there was access to a variety of shops and dining. We want a town that is attractive to live in, study in, and easy to get around , no matter your financial position, or stage in life. It would be wonderful to add to our housing inventory, and as a housing advocate, that would be ideal. However several factors would have to be in place before I could support housing by our commuter rails.
Beth Sullivan Woods
Tom Ulfelder -
I support locating housing on town owned property and, in accordance with the MBTA Communities Program, the three commuter rail stops are logical locations to evaluate. However, the ability to build housing at a specific location is not the only consideration. The town must weigh the impact on nearby residential neighborhoods and consider alternative locations readily accessible to the commuter rail stations. Of the three locations, Wellesley Hills is the least capable of accommodating housing adjacent to the station. However, the Wellesley Friendly Aid property where the community center is located is a short distance away and can accommodate housing. Housing at this location would encourage additional development of the existing retail locations nearby. However, the property is not currently owned by the town. Wellesley Farms is a location that can accommodate housing, but residents would not be adjacent to existing retail districts and would have to travel by car to shop for groceries and other necessities. This leaves the Railroad and Tailby lots where the town has previously considered building residential units. It is adjacent to the commuter rail, restaurants and retail locations, and the library. However, any consideration of additional residential units on these two lots requires a wholistic evaluation of the area from the residential units under construction at 148 Weston Road and the North 40 through Terrazza (otherwise known as Delanson), to the current site of the Volkswagon dealership. While recognizing the benefit to our climate action goals and the retail district, an evaluation of the Railroad and Tailby lots must consider the impact on the nearby residential neighborhoods. This includes the impact of additional development on traffic, parking, stormwater management, and the capacity of existing infrastructure. Any reconsideration of housing on these lots must be inclusive of all stakeholders and the residents in the existing adjacent neighborhoods. These residents were important participants throughout the negotiations that resulted in the final projects approved for Delanson Circle and 148 Weston Road. They have expressed concerns over the future development of the Railroad and Tailby lots. These are concerns that must be addressed if the town wants a proposed project to succeed. It would be easy to answer this question by simply stating that I support housing at this location. However, you have asked the question of candidates for the Select Board. You should expect an answer that not only acknowledges the clear viability and benefits of building on these lots but acknowledges that a number of concerns exist beyond the development of this site, and the need to build support within the neighborhoods affected.
The Select Board serves as the chief executive board of the Town, and as such, oversees all matters affecting the interest and welfare of the community. The Board exercises the authority vested in the Town not specifically assigned by law to any other board or office.
Question1. Given that the Select Board is responsible for making appointments to several important town committees, how will you ensure that members of these committees understand that Wellesley has an emissions reduction goal to meet?
Odessa Sanchez-
It's true the Select Board is charged with some of the responsibilities of appointments, but not all. One should remember chosing certain committee members is a shared role with Moderator along with other factors. The town of Wellesley announced last year a climate action plan that relies heavily on seeking individual actions by residents to help the town meet an ambitious goal of net- zero emissions by 2050. My first grandchild will be 27 by then, and we shouldn't be discouraged by the " ambitious " undertaking. The Select Board , as a supporter of these initiatives, should look for appointees who show interest in seeing the brighter future. An individual willing to strengthen the clean power plan, scale up residential and commercial energy efficiency, encourage industrial energy efficiency, and educate on reducing, recycling, and reusable materials.
Beth Sullivan Woods-
Tom Ulfelder -
I would first ensure that information about the emissions reduction goals is part of the initial conversation with the applicant. Information on emissions reduction should be provided with the form every person is asked to complete expressing their interest in specific committees along with their background. The Select Board can provide a package of information that describes town goals for emissions reduction and a code of conduct for participation in town government. Once someone is under consideration for a specific committee, there is an opportunity to meet with the applicant and discuss in greater detail their awareness of and commitment to sustainability and Wellesley’s emissions reduction goals.
Question 2. As you may know, National Grid comes to the Selectboard for grants to open the streets and expand gas service often. Towns, such as Newton, are adopting resolutions to address the persistent problem of the unhealthy, unsafe, costly and emissions-emitting gas leaks. Such resolutions request that National Grid disclose more specifics about projects, enabling the municipality to determine if the emitting hydrogen PVC piping is necessary; and ensure that the pipes are repaired before being replaced and increasing volume. In addition, many communities (Newton, Arlington, Boston) are passing and proposing resolutions to move away from gas and to electrify residences and businesses instead. Are these resolutions something you would support and why/why not?
Odessa Sanchez-
I, perhaps like my neighbors are concerned about frequent National Grid maintenance and alarming yellow flags popping up on the lawns, but as we consider expanding programs that reduce costly and unhealthy emissions, I would only support initiatives that are not designed to create a financial or obligatory pushback on any individual who is unable to participate or comply completely. Environmental concerns may have more then one lense to them. The environmental justice piece is what impacts the part of the community who needs it the most.
Beth Sullivan Woods
Tom Ulfelder -
I support resolutions that address gas leaks. They are an important step toward building pressure on the gas utilities to repair a very significant environmental and public health problem. I believe such resolutions to be consistent with the effort already underway in Wellesley. Resolutions are an important demonstration of community values. They enable local government and the legislature to make decisions consistent with the resolutions knowing that support exists. National Grid has engaged in a self-serving analysis regarding their classification of gas leaks and their required response. Unfortunately, the result is more favorable to National Grid’s profitability than to the community’s public health. While serving on the Select Board, I have seen National Grid resist a commitment to identify and repair leaks in the very same location as their proposed project. My concern, however, is whether resolutions are enough to force change adequate to address the problem. They are an important demonstration of community support but not a substitute for a regulatory and legislative effort that mandates change. Within Wellesley, we are fortunate that town boards, the Municipal Light Plant, and commercial developers are committed to electrification and to ensuring that we have the necessary supply capacity to meet the increased electrical demand. The two new elementary schools, Town Hall, and the new residential housing at the Wellesley Office Park are evidence of the movement toward electrification. In addition to new commercial development, there needs to be an ongoing effort to secure electrification within residential construction and existing commercial buildings. The 2023 Annual Town Meeting will have an opportunity to address this in part through Article 36 calling on the town to adopt the municipal opt-in stretch building code, which applies to new construction. By requiring that locations for HVAC equipment are pre-wired for heat pumps, more homeowners may request an analysis of the installation, operational costs, and benefits to electrification and make that choice.
Question 3. The state of MA has a solid MBTA Communities Program to address the housing and climate crises. With 3 commuter rail stops in the community and not enough dense housing, Wellesley is an ideal candidate. Since the town owns lots directly on the commuter rail, managed by the SelectBoard, would you support putting housing there?
Odessa Sanchez-
The MBTA Community program, is a project that is well meaning, depending on the community. Wellesley being " ideal" is sort of ambitious, with the exception of the Town owning the property. The state expects commuter towns to have full functioning bus lines, which Wellesley doesn't have. A commuter station residence would only be ideal if mobility was easy, there was access to a variety of shops and dining. We want a town that is attractive to live in, study in, and easy to get around , no matter your financial position, or stage in life. It would be wonderful to add to our housing inventory, and as a housing advocate, that would be ideal. However several factors would have to be in place before I could support housing by our commuter rails.
Beth Sullivan Woods
Tom Ulfelder -
I support locating housing on town owned property and, in accordance with the MBTA Communities Program, the three commuter rail stops are logical locations to evaluate. However, the ability to build housing at a specific location is not the only consideration. The town must weigh the impact on nearby residential neighborhoods and consider alternative locations readily accessible to the commuter rail stations. Of the three locations, Wellesley Hills is the least capable of accommodating housing adjacent to the station. However, the Wellesley Friendly Aid property where the community center is located is a short distance away and can accommodate housing. Housing at this location would encourage additional development of the existing retail locations nearby. However, the property is not currently owned by the town. Wellesley Farms is a location that can accommodate housing, but residents would not be adjacent to existing retail districts and would have to travel by car to shop for groceries and other necessities. This leaves the Railroad and Tailby lots where the town has previously considered building residential units. It is adjacent to the commuter rail, restaurants and retail locations, and the library. However, any consideration of additional residential units on these two lots requires a wholistic evaluation of the area from the residential units under construction at 148 Weston Road and the North 40 through Terrazza (otherwise known as Delanson), to the current site of the Volkswagon dealership. While recognizing the benefit to our climate action goals and the retail district, an evaluation of the Railroad and Tailby lots must consider the impact on the nearby residential neighborhoods. This includes the impact of additional development on traffic, parking, stormwater management, and the capacity of existing infrastructure. Any reconsideration of housing on these lots must be inclusive of all stakeholders and the residents in the existing adjacent neighborhoods. These residents were important participants throughout the negotiations that resulted in the final projects approved for Delanson Circle and 148 Weston Road. They have expressed concerns over the future development of the Railroad and Tailby lots. These are concerns that must be addressed if the town wants a proposed project to succeed. It would be easy to answer this question by simply stating that I support housing at this location. However, you have asked the question of candidates for the Select Board. You should expect an answer that not only acknowledges the clear viability and benefits of building on these lots but acknowledges that a number of concerns exist beyond the development of this site, and the need to build support within the neighborhoods affected.