The race for Wellesley’s Ward 3 will be contested by two first-time hopefuls. Andrew Brenner joins Peter van der Maas in a bid to fill the seat left open by Jim Olender, who is running for mayor against Paul Hergott and Joe Nowak.
A chartered professional accountant, Brenner pledges to ensure prudent fiscal responsibility while cutting costs and red tape.
“My first priority and where I think I stand out from any other candidate or politician that is ever going to run, is I actually want to lower tax rates,” he explained. “I am not content with tax rates rising a minimal amount to cover inflation. I think that as the municipal leadership we owe it to our citizens to look for efficiencies in our budgeting process and the administration of services.”
He continued, “We need to maintain service levels, while at the same time looking for efficiencies so that we can actually lower taxes and reduce costs.”
A ten-year resident of Wellesley, Brenner is motivated to get involved in local politics by a passion for the community and the desire to give residents options at the polls.
“Looking back at Wellesley in the last municipal election four years ago, every position was acclaimed,” he said. “So first and foremost, I think that it is important for people to have a choice.”
As a financial professional and a husband with four young children, Brenner believes he can offer a distinct viewpoint.
“As one of the youngest people running for a council position, I think I can bring a fresh, new perspective to local government. And based upon my financial background, I think I can offer some unique insights.”
Also high on his agenda for council is addressing the development concerns that have sparked debate in the township of late.
“We need to have responsible and measured development of the unique landscape in Wellesley,” Brenner explained. “By that I mean, it is a bedroom community, so people move out of the city to Wellesley for a reason. And so we need to be very concerned with how we are going about developing the residential and the green space areas that currently exist within Wellesley, particularly within the village area.”
Lastly, Brenner says he will use “a balanced approach to understand the diversity of interests in the community and to maintain inclusiveness as best as possible.”
