SELECT BOARD – Listed in alphabetical order
(2 seats available - 3 year term)
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.
Q1. The town has emissions reduction goals that apply to many large and small decisions that come before the Select Board each year. How would you describe your commitment to Wellesley’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what experience and/or insights can you bring to bear on achieving those goals?
Marc Charney
A1) I strongly support Wellesley’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and believe they should be pursued in a way that is practical, transparent, and fiscally responsible. Climate considerations now touch almost every decision that comes before the Select Board—from buildings and fleet replacement to land use, energy procurement, and long-term capital planning—and I take that responsibility seriously.
My experience on the Planning Board and other Town committees has reinforced that the most effective climate progress happens when goals are clearly defined, tradeoffs are openly discussed, and decisions are grounded in data. I bring a disciplined, analytical approach to evaluating emissions impacts alongside cost, reliability, and long-term operational implications. That perspective helps ensure we make durable decisions that actually reduce emissions, rather than symbolic ones that strain budgets or delay progress.
I also believe success depends on coordination—between boards, staff, residents, and regional partners—and on maintaining public trust by explaining why we are making certain investments and how they advance both our climate goals and the Town’s broader priorities.
Elizabeth Sullivan Woods
A1. Commitment to Town Goals: I am committed to supporting the goals established by Town Meeting. The Town has been designated a climate leader and this is something we are very proud of having attained. We have also invested in professional staff to advise the Board on the actions that are responsible ways to support the Town’s environmental goals. While I have been on the Select Board, Wellesley has met our previous goals and the Town’s goals have now been re-aligned with the State’s greenhouse gas emissions goals for 2050. I believe it is critical that we thoughtfully evaluate options and innovate our approach to ensure the most relevant and impactful solutions are implemented in the Town.
Tom Ulflelder
A1. I have demonstrated my commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions since the start of my first term. I have taken concrete actions, including negotiating the electrification of The Nines, advocating for net-zero ready construction of the Hunnewell and Hardy Schools, supporting the electrification of Town Hall, and advising our Sustainability Director on her successful effort to implement the Sustainable Municipal Building Guidelines.
Thanks to my collaboration with the MLP, the Permanent Building Committee, Facilities Management, the schools, and our Sustainability Director, the installation of solar arrays on the Hunnewell and Hardy schools are moving forward after having stalled. In response to a collaborative effort, these projects are awaiting a final funding plan and can proceed with the original construction teams.
As the Select Board works to establish a Capital Planning Committee, I am advocating for a requirement that all projects evaluate sustainable design and construction. If sustainable choices are not feasible, project proponents will need to document the reasons why. The Town has been in a unique position to electrify existing buildings and eliminate fossil fuels, and when done carefully, with thoughtful design and post-construction commissioning, these projects have been successful. I also support updates to our regulations and building code that promote sustainability. Advising developers early ensures the Town’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our preference for sustainable choices such as electrification, increased insulation, and net zero construction are communicated from the start. By addressing sustainability at the outset, these choices that better serve the Town’s goals can be included in the initial construction budget, avoiding costly retrofits later. With this experience, I am ready to continue leading efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring our Town grows responsibly and sustainably.
Q2. How would you prioritize decarbonization/electrification in the Select Board’s capital planning process and ensure that the Town’s Decarbonization Roadmap is fully implemented?
Marc Charney
A2. Decarbonization and electrification should be embedded directly into the capital planning process—not treated as add-ons or afterthoughts. That means using the Town’s Decarbonization Roadmap as a guiding framework for evaluating capital projects, while still applying rigorous cost-benefit analysis and lifecycle costing to each proposal.
As a Select Board member, I would prioritize:
• Sequencing projects so electrification and emissions reductions occur where they deliver the greatest impact per dollar;
• Designing buildings and infrastructure “future-ready”, even when full electrification must be phased in over time;
• Aligning funding sources, including grants and incentives, to reduce the burden on taxpayers;
• Holding projects accountable by tracking emissions outcomes, not just intentions.
Full implementation of the Roadmap requires steady execution, not one-time decisions. The Select Board plays a critical role in setting expectations, asking the right questions during capital reviews, and ensuring that climate goals are balanced with affordability, public safety, and service delivery. My focus would be on making sure Wellesley achieves real, measurable emissions reductions while maintaining the financial discipline needed to sustain those efforts over the long term.
Elizabeth Sullivan Woods
A2. Prioritization of Decarbonization/Electrification: As a Board member, I will continue to look to our professional staff to provide the expertise and guidance on inclusion of decarbonization/electrification in capital projects. Recently, the board implemented a policy to prioritize implementation of electric vehicles where it was practical and has supported the implementation of municipal sustainable building guidelines. I supported the building of both Hardy and Hunnewell – our first all-electric schools – and expect they will provide us valuable input for future Town building projects. Sustainable building practices are embedded in the Town’s approach to project development and are part of the important criteria for assessing projects in the proposed Townwide Capital Planning Committee that is under consideration by the Select Board.
Tom Ulfelder
A2. The capital planning process as reflected in the proposed Capital Planning Committee will include a grading system that evaluates projects across various categories. One key category should be the inclusion of sustainable design. Other categories should ensure that project standards align with sustainable practices. For example, whether the proposed roofing material and installation can support solar panels. The Town currently follows the Sustainable Municipal Building Guidelines, which are going to be revised but these are guidelines and not enforceable regulations. By embedding these standards within the Capital Planning Committee evaluation process, projects would be required to document any reasons for opting out of compliance rather than voluntarily opting in.
(2 seats available - 3 year term)
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.
Q1. The town has emissions reduction goals that apply to many large and small decisions that come before the Select Board each year. How would you describe your commitment to Wellesley’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what experience and/or insights can you bring to bear on achieving those goals?
Marc Charney
A1) I strongly support Wellesley’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and believe they should be pursued in a way that is practical, transparent, and fiscally responsible. Climate considerations now touch almost every decision that comes before the Select Board—from buildings and fleet replacement to land use, energy procurement, and long-term capital planning—and I take that responsibility seriously.
My experience on the Planning Board and other Town committees has reinforced that the most effective climate progress happens when goals are clearly defined, tradeoffs are openly discussed, and decisions are grounded in data. I bring a disciplined, analytical approach to evaluating emissions impacts alongside cost, reliability, and long-term operational implications. That perspective helps ensure we make durable decisions that actually reduce emissions, rather than symbolic ones that strain budgets or delay progress.
I also believe success depends on coordination—between boards, staff, residents, and regional partners—and on maintaining public trust by explaining why we are making certain investments and how they advance both our climate goals and the Town’s broader priorities.
Elizabeth Sullivan Woods
A1. Commitment to Town Goals: I am committed to supporting the goals established by Town Meeting. The Town has been designated a climate leader and this is something we are very proud of having attained. We have also invested in professional staff to advise the Board on the actions that are responsible ways to support the Town’s environmental goals. While I have been on the Select Board, Wellesley has met our previous goals and the Town’s goals have now been re-aligned with the State’s greenhouse gas emissions goals for 2050. I believe it is critical that we thoughtfully evaluate options and innovate our approach to ensure the most relevant and impactful solutions are implemented in the Town.
Tom Ulflelder
A1. I have demonstrated my commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions since the start of my first term. I have taken concrete actions, including negotiating the electrification of The Nines, advocating for net-zero ready construction of the Hunnewell and Hardy Schools, supporting the electrification of Town Hall, and advising our Sustainability Director on her successful effort to implement the Sustainable Municipal Building Guidelines.
Thanks to my collaboration with the MLP, the Permanent Building Committee, Facilities Management, the schools, and our Sustainability Director, the installation of solar arrays on the Hunnewell and Hardy schools are moving forward after having stalled. In response to a collaborative effort, these projects are awaiting a final funding plan and can proceed with the original construction teams.
As the Select Board works to establish a Capital Planning Committee, I am advocating for a requirement that all projects evaluate sustainable design and construction. If sustainable choices are not feasible, project proponents will need to document the reasons why. The Town has been in a unique position to electrify existing buildings and eliminate fossil fuels, and when done carefully, with thoughtful design and post-construction commissioning, these projects have been successful. I also support updates to our regulations and building code that promote sustainability. Advising developers early ensures the Town’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our preference for sustainable choices such as electrification, increased insulation, and net zero construction are communicated from the start. By addressing sustainability at the outset, these choices that better serve the Town’s goals can be included in the initial construction budget, avoiding costly retrofits later. With this experience, I am ready to continue leading efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring our Town grows responsibly and sustainably.
Q2. How would you prioritize decarbonization/electrification in the Select Board’s capital planning process and ensure that the Town’s Decarbonization Roadmap is fully implemented?
Marc Charney
A2. Decarbonization and electrification should be embedded directly into the capital planning process—not treated as add-ons or afterthoughts. That means using the Town’s Decarbonization Roadmap as a guiding framework for evaluating capital projects, while still applying rigorous cost-benefit analysis and lifecycle costing to each proposal.
As a Select Board member, I would prioritize:
• Sequencing projects so electrification and emissions reductions occur where they deliver the greatest impact per dollar;
• Designing buildings and infrastructure “future-ready”, even when full electrification must be phased in over time;
• Aligning funding sources, including grants and incentives, to reduce the burden on taxpayers;
• Holding projects accountable by tracking emissions outcomes, not just intentions.
Full implementation of the Roadmap requires steady execution, not one-time decisions. The Select Board plays a critical role in setting expectations, asking the right questions during capital reviews, and ensuring that climate goals are balanced with affordability, public safety, and service delivery. My focus would be on making sure Wellesley achieves real, measurable emissions reductions while maintaining the financial discipline needed to sustain those efforts over the long term.
Elizabeth Sullivan Woods
A2. Prioritization of Decarbonization/Electrification: As a Board member, I will continue to look to our professional staff to provide the expertise and guidance on inclusion of decarbonization/electrification in capital projects. Recently, the board implemented a policy to prioritize implementation of electric vehicles where it was practical and has supported the implementation of municipal sustainable building guidelines. I supported the building of both Hardy and Hunnewell – our first all-electric schools – and expect they will provide us valuable input for future Town building projects. Sustainable building practices are embedded in the Town’s approach to project development and are part of the important criteria for assessing projects in the proposed Townwide Capital Planning Committee that is under consideration by the Select Board.
Tom Ulfelder
A2. The capital planning process as reflected in the proposed Capital Planning Committee will include a grading system that evaluates projects across various categories. One key category should be the inclusion of sustainable design. Other categories should ensure that project standards align with sustainable practices. For example, whether the proposed roofing material and installation can support solar panels. The Town currently follows the Sustainable Municipal Building Guidelines, which are going to be revised but these are guidelines and not enforceable regulations. By embedding these standards within the Capital Planning Committee evaluation process, projects would be required to document any reasons for opting out of compliance rather than voluntarily opting in.