Editor’s Note: As we have done beginning in 2020, The Wanderer has invited candidates in contested races to submit up to 350 words about their candidacy for public office. This week we have the candidates for both the Rochester Select Board and Rochester School Committee. Below are statements from Rochester Select Board candidates Brad Morse and Adam Murphy. Morse is the incumbent and presently serves as chair. The Town of Rochester will hold its Election on Wednesday, May 25, at the Senior Center on Dexter Lane.
Brad Morse – Rochester Select Board
I am seeking re-election to the Rochester Select Board, having served the last six terms. Prior to that, I served on the Planning Board for 12 years and the Dexter Lane Use Committee. I am a fifth-generation cranberry farmer in town, a graduate of Mass Maritime Academy, past president of Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, Grower Council Member of Ocean Spray Cranberry Group, and retired call lieutenant of the Town of Wareham Fire Department, having served for 26 years. My experience on the various boards and committees brings forth lots of institutional knowledge which is important for consistency in town operations. In the past five years, we as a Select Board have continued to make financial stability one of our main goals by increasing many special-purpose Stabilization Funds by $2,100,000 and by conservatively addressing the Town’s capital needs. The Town has also been very fortunate with the amount of grant funding that we have been awarded in the last few years and continue to pursue whatever resources are available to the Town to keep it an affordable place to live. My goals for the future would be to sustain financial stability, while thoroughly looking at the needs of the public-safety departments and maintaining town services.
Adam C Murphy – Rochester Select Board
My name is Adam Murphy, 40, I have chosen to pursue a seat on the Select Board. I have been extremely fortunate to be born and raised in Rochester. I am married to Jessica Murphy, 38, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I am the father of two children: Hailey, 16, and Adam Jr., 13; both attend Old Rochester Regional High School. I work for the Town of Marion as the Deputy Harbormaster and own Rochester-based trucking company Tri-Town Service, Inc., a part of my family business, Murphy’s Auto Salvage, Inc. Over the past 19 years, I have dedicated myself to public safety. As a Deputy Harbormaster, I am a patrolman on the Marion Police Department and second in command of the Harbormaster Department. I work hand in hand with the Harbormaster, preparing and executing the budget, managing and looking to obtain grants to offset our department’s needs. With town budgets continuing to grow, our entire community feels the economic impact. Without big business to offset our town’s budget, it is incredibly important to work hard and plan ahead. Finding new creative ways to improve our ability to obtain available grants for future capital projects is one of my top priorities. I believe we need to create more effective communication for and with our town boards, along with the community. I want to work on ways to gain the public’s interests and hear the community’s thoughts. We have many valuable resources within our town, it’s time to get them more involved in helping us navigate into the future. My background in public safety and working for a municipality has offered me the knowledge in town government to make me an ideal candidate for selectman. The Select Board is an essential role in our community. This is our opportunity to bring a new and vibrant insight. If you choose to elect me as Selectman, I can assure you I am a man of my word. I do what I say I am going to do, and I will work hard to make the best decisions for our community.