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.