Murphy Defeats Nelson For Board of Selectmen Seat

Dan Murphy said previous involvement on the Finance Committee and support from family, friends and neighbors were key in his decisive victory Tuesday in the race for a one-year seat on the Board of Selectmen.

"I’ve been involved for a long time – I think that was the most important thing," said Murphy, who has lived in Easton for most of his life. "I got a lot of really good feedback from "

Murphy defeated Dave Nelson by a tally of 612 - 246 in an election that brought out 886 voters, or 6 percent of enrolled voters, according to unofficial numbers released by Town Clerk Jeremy Gillis Tuesday evening. He will join Todd Gornstein as new members to the board. Gornstein ran unopposed for a three-year seat Tuesday.

Murphy swept in all six Easton precincts. In precinct one, Murphy won 95-26. In precinct two, he won 169-77. In precinct three, he won 52-28. In precinct four he won 128-62. In precinct five he won 103-27. And, in precinct six, he won 65-26.

"I got a lot of support," he said. "It was really fun to hear from a lot of people. I had my kids out there holding signs and my nieces and nephews."

Dave Nelson, a member of the Easton Republican Town Committee, Ames Pistol and Rifle Club and Historical Society, congratulated Murphy.

"He’s an outstanding citizen and he’ll do a good job," said Nelson. "I was glad to participate in the democratic process. I think our society would be better off if more people participated."

Nelson, who, along with Murphy, was outside of holding signs throughout the morning and evening Tuesday said the experience was "a great learning curve" and he would leave all possibilities open in the future.

Murphy credited Nelson for running.

"It’s not easy putting yourself out there," the new selectman said.

Murphy's tenure as a Selectman begins in the midst of a budget crisis with the town facing an estimated $1.75 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2012 and a Town Meeting scheduled for May 16.

"The budget is the most important thing," he said. "We still have a month to go before Town Meeting. We have a couple of things to work out."

Murphy said he would also like to be involved in mitigation for the South Coast Rail, and work with , which has not been contributing to the town financially. He said he would also like to increase communication with Easton's state representatives.

"I look forward to it," he said. "I like everyone on the board, personally. I have a lot of respect for what they’ve done and I look forward to contributing."