Wellesley Votes 'No' on Town Manager

WELLESLEY, MA - Wellesley voters have spoken - and they say 'No' to a Town Manager.

Residents took to the polls Tuesday to vote in the annual election for town meeting members, but the candidates weren't the ones who had everyone talking.

A question about switching to a Town Manager form of local government had divided Wellesley residents as the vote loomed.

The proposal failed by a margin of 2,823 to 2,121, according to results from Town Clerk Kathy Nagle.

Had the vote gone through, residents would have elected a Board of Selectmen, who in turn would have appointed a Town Manager. The Town Manager would be responsible for all budgets, hires and administrative tasks for the town.

Many - including Gov. Charlie Baker - championed for the appointment of a Town Manager, arguing the town's growth necessitated the switch. Those who opposed the change said they believed the streamlining of government would cause differing voices and opinions to go unheard.

It will now be business as usual for the Wellesley town government, which is headed by an Executive Director of General Government Services and delegates control over budget development to individual boards and departments.