Wellesley light board recommends Estwanik for appointment, approves FY27 budgets

WELLESLEY -- May 27, 2026, Wellesley Municipal Light Board taps Brett Estwanik for open seat, approves FY27 budgets. The five-member board voted unanimously May 27 to recommend Estwanik, a private-equity energy investor with an MBA from Darden and CFO experience, to the Select Board after the appointment subcommittee interviewed five candidates. Chair Ned Hall said Estwanik has reviewed "more than 70 transactions" across storage, microgrids and renewables; Vice Chair Scott Bender singled out his contract-review experience. The board also approved the FY27 operating and capital budgets and an updated class-and-comp plan, after restating non-operating income at roughly $1.59 million and netting out $1.16 million in We Care revenue. Director Dave reported $224,000 collected in past-due balances post-moratorium, with shutoff lists down to "four or five" customers. A proposed $3.2 million We Care spending plan, including $1 million for the Hardy solar project and a virtual power plant pilot at roughly $30,000 per battery, was discussed but not voted.