Selectmen Candidates Gear Up For April 26 Election

Two local businessmen, who have diverse backgrounds but moved into town about the same time, are running for Selectmen in the town election on April 26.  The winner will be serving only one year, but it is the first time the town has had a contested race for a selectmen’s seat since 2005. 

Dan Murphy, who lives at 56 Cosma Road, and David Nelson, who lives at 1 Randall Street, are vying for the seat of John Haederle,   That term expires next spring.  Another candidate, Todd Gornstein, is running unopposed for the open seat vacated by Irwin Cohen, and will serve three years. 

Murphy, 40, is the father of three young children, and he and his wife Erica came to town because they thought it would be a great place to raise a family. They moved here from Canton about five years ago, but Murphy also lived in Easton as a teenager, and he’s worked in town since graduating from Boston College. 

Murphy is an accountant and owner of Murphy & Co. Accounting Services, on Washington Street in North Easton, which was established by his father Joe Murphy.  He is also a member of the Easton Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on the Finance Committee.

He thinks his experience on the finance board and as a business owner would be an asset as a Selectman.   He also plans to send all his children to public school (his daughter is already attending ), and he believes it will give him additional insight into the community.

“I thought I could bring a wide perspective to the job, and when John resigned, I thought it would be good to step up and play a part,” he said.

Nelson, 58, has three adult daughters, and came to Easton through a stroke of luck, he says.  He was driving along Summer Street, and ran into a realtor who showed him a home on Randall Street, which he and his wife Marilyn moved into about six years ago. Their three daughters live out of town, but they have two dogs and are raising four chickens on their property.  

Having always had a passion for politics, Nelson is a former anti-war demonstrator who is now an enthusiastic member of the Tea Party.  He’s been to Tea Party rallies in Boston and Washington D. C., and is a strong opponent of expanding government.

“We can’t keep spending money we don’t have,” he said.

After moving to town, Nelson soon became involved with community groups.  He is a member of the Easton Republican Town Committee, the and the Easton Rod and Gun Club.   He is a long-time employee of Rexa Kosa America, a West Bridgewater manufacturer of hydraulic actuators, and now works there as the manager of product engineering.

Though he thinks many Democrats are too liberal, he has not yet formed opinions about local officials.  

“This is my first foray into elections, and I don’t have a lot a lot of strong formulated opinions.  But I am a fiscally conservative person who will watch the taxpayers money,” he said.

Both candidates say they really like the people in town, and are very pleased to live here.  Murphy said he’s enjoyed his community involvement, and is impressed with the school system.  Nelson likes the fact that the town is not congested, and enjoys its “countryish” feel.

Editor's Note:

Both candidates will be discussing the issues Thursday night in a debate forum. The debate will appear on Patch on Saturday, and will air on Easton Community Access Television at the following times:

Friday April 15, 22 - 8pm
Saturday April 16, 23 - 9am, 6pm
Sunday April 17, 24 - 8pm
Wednesday April 20 - 7am, 10pm

Patch needs your help! If you would like to ask the candidates a question, email Patrick.Maguire@Patch.com with your name and what you would like to ask.