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Background and experience
I have been a resident of Wellesley since 1977. I am a retired librarian. I worked at the Wellesley Free Library as the head of the audio-visual department from 1985 – 1991. From 1991 to 1995, I worked as a library consultant. I returned to the WFL in 1995 as the director, and retired in 2013.
The Wellesley Housing Authority is now rebuilding into an independent agency since the split with Needham in 2018. My management experience in the public sector gives me an excellent understanding of what the WHA needs to do both short term and long term to grow into an effective agency. I understand how town and state government works and have a mastery of budgets and finances in the public sector.
Renee Spencer
Background and education
I have lived in Wellesley for over 35 years. I have been advocating for public housing residents for over 30 years. I started by being elected to the Barton Road tenants association as president. As president, I organized programs for children and families. Presently I am a member of the League of Woman Voters, Town Meeting Member, board member on Wellesley Friendly Aid, board member on Mass Union Public Housing Tenants, and board member on Wellesley Housing Authority. I have worked in long-term healthcare for 12 years. In my 40s, I went back to school, attending MassBay Community College, social work program; attending Regis College social work program; and Framingham State College, sociology program. I have three children who graduated from Wellesley schools, three grandchildren who graduated from Wellesley schools; and currently have five grandchildren attending Wellesley public schools.
Odessa Sanchez
Background and experience
I live in Wellesley Housing and have advocated here every day for the last 12 years.
Before Wellesley, I lived in Norwood Housing (1998-2008), where I was a five-year Tenant Association Vice President. In Wellesley, I was vice president of Tenant Association (2018). I have experience working with residents, management, and maintenance staff; attending board meetings; building community relationships; positively presenting my ideas and suggestions for improving residential life; and knowledge of state guidelines. Through my daily life, I work as a teacher and coach so I m comfortable engaging with residents and many trust me as a neighborhood resource.
Staff report
Dedicated volunteers make up Wellesley s municipal government structure.
The nomination period for townwide offices is open for three more weeks. Interested candidates may pull nomination papers until Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.
Registered voters and residents are eligible to run for any open positions on boards and committees. Uncontested seats are still available for the Wellesley Housing Authority and the Natural Resources Commission.
Or residents can consider running for a Town Meeting Member position. The last day to pull Town Meeting Meeting Member nomination papers is Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.
As Town Hall is still closed to the public, appointments are required to obtain nomination papers. Email Elections@Wellesleyma.gov or call 781-431-1019 ext. 2252 to schedule your appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting.