Who Are The Selectmen Candidates?

Two candidates are running for the one year Board of Selectmen seat.

Dan Murphy is a current member of the Finance Committee. He is an accountant and owner of Murphy Tax Services. Dave Nelson is a member of the Republican Town Committee and an employee at Rexa Kosa America, a West Bridgewater manufacturer of hydraulic actuators, and now works there as the manager of product engineering.

Here is how they answered a few questions from Patch.

Do you think the South Coast Rail project is good for the town?

Murphy: 

No.  I think the downside outweighs the upside.  The town will be disrupted and homeowners near the track will be disrupted.  The town will also be divided for public safety personnel.

Nelson: 

More than likely it will be a reality and instead of focusing on the negative we should look for the possible future benefits. For example, unless the present administration in Washington DC begins to promote actual true oil development, this coupled with fact of increased world demand from India and China; we could see gasoline at 8-10 dollars a gallon. Any towns with one or more railroad stations will be prime real estate!

What is your opinion of the recent movement to reduce the Community Preservation Act tax surcharge from 3 to 1 ½ percent?

Murphy: 

I support the CPA and will vote to maintain it at its current rate.  However, I understand the position of the people who are bringing up this issue.

Nelson: 

As far as the general reduction, yes I’m in favor of it. But let me also add, that if general taxes are increased again or a PROP 2 ½ is initiated, then until economic conditions improve I’m in favor of suspending it indefinitely.

I would also like to know what their actual liquid assets are. If they are sufficient to manage their affairs for one year, then I propose that for a period of one year, those funds be transferred to the deficit. This would be in effect for only one year; the town government in that time frame would have to get their act together. I think this would have to be resolved at a town meeting. 

Do you think that Town Meeting members voted correctly in their decision to use CPA funds for the Ames Shovel Works 40B project?

Murphy: 

Yes, and I voted for it.  At that point it was our best option.  Also, there was overwhelming support for it, although the Finance Committee was against it (Murphy was not a member of the Finance Committee during the vote).

Nelson: 

Never use the taxpayers’ money in a commercial venture, period!

To see where the candidates stand on other issues, including selectmen stipends and the deficit, click for part I of the candidate debate forum. Click for part II.