Selectman DeVellis Not Seeking Fourth Term

FOXBOROUGH, MA — After serving in the role for nine years, Selectman James DeVellis has decided not to run for a fourth three-year term.

DeVellis said he was honored to serve for as long as he did and believes the town remains in good hands with plenty of excellent volunteers, committee members.

"We have a tremendous resource of residents and volunteer committee and board members that step forward every day and my desire was to encourage that as we have all seen what volunteers can do in Foxborough with everyone benefitting," DeVellis said. "It has been a pleasure to serve on the Board.

When asked what accomplishments he's most proud of, DeVellis said he's more proud of trying to be flexible, open, and approachable to residents. Ten years ago, when DeVellis first asked a selectman about an issue scheduled at an upcoming meeting, he said he was told he wouldn’t understand it because there was a lot that went on behind the scenes. That stuck with DeVellis throughout his tenure serving as a selectman.

"That was my hot button," DeVellis told Patch. "The public deserves information with an open dialogue and I have done my best to be consistent that people’s business needs to be done at the table. That includes the good, the bad and the ugly. My philosophy is that residents can not only understand any issues if presented in an open and concise manner, but if they have the information, they can be a tremendous asset."

With DeVellis not running, there as of now are three selectmen candidates running for three seats. Board of Selectmen Vice Chairman Mark Elfman is seeking reelection, while Robert Palie and former Police Chief Edward O'Leary have also taken out papers indicating their intention to run. Planning Board clerk Ronald Bresse, Water and Sewer Commissioner Robert Garber, and Town Clerk Robert Cutler Jr. have also all picked up nomination papers to seek reelection.

Candidates have until March 18 to return the papers with at least signatures from at least 50 registered Foxborough voters. O'Leary is the only candidate to return to nomination papers with the required signatures thus far, Cutler told Patch.

In total 13 positions will be on the ballot for the May 6 election. All carry a term of years, with the exception of the Housing Authority opening, which last five years. They are:

• Town Moderator
• Town Clerk
• Board of Selectmen (Two openings)
• Board of Assessors
• School Committee (Two openings)
• Water and Sewer Commission
• Board of Health
• Library Trustee (Two openings)
• Planning Board
• Housing Authority

Patch reached out to DeVellis for comment and will update this story when he responds.

Photo of DeVellis and his father courtesy of James DeVellis