Hopefuls make their cases at Middleboro candidates’ night

MIDDLEBORO — Barely two weeks before town elections, candidates made their pitches to voters Thursday at the candidates night sponsored by the Middleboro Rotary Club and Nemasket Week.

At the event, held at the Middleboro Senior Center, candidates for the three contested races — Select Board, School Committee and Gas and Electric Commissioners— discussed their qualifications and answered questions from the public in advance of the April 6 election.

Two candidates, Teresa Farley and Jane Slavin, are running for a three-year seat on the Select Board. Neil Rosenthal, who currently holds the position, is not running for re-election.

Farley said that when her family made the decision to live in Middleboro, she told her husband, “If we’re going to be here, I’m going to be involved.’’

She has served as president of the Memorial Early Childhood Center Parent Teacher Association and on the School Committee. “Relationships are very important,’’ she said. “I’ve spent many years building relationships.’’

A select board member “is one of five members that represent everyone,’’ she said. “My job is to be your voice. I will listen to everyone.’’ She won’t win every issue, she acknowledged, but “will go on, as long as we are good and civil and kind to each other.’’

Slavin,  a newcomer to town politics, said she has lived in Middleboro for 21 years and “I truly care about the town.’’

She said she believes that “everyone should run for office at least once.’’ She said she would listen to “two sides to every story.’’ The truth, she said, is usually “in the middle.’’

She would advocate for additional police and fire resources, as the town grows. “They are on the front lines,’’ she said.

On the issue of the need for affordable housing, Slavin advocated looking into the development of “tiny houses,’’ which can provide less expensive housing in smaller areas. 

Farley said the problem was not unique to Middleboro but that expanding the commercial base could help lessen the financial burden on residential taxpayers.

Slavin said the select board “needs more transparency. I talk to so many people in town who have no idea where their money goes.’’

Farley disagreed, saying the select board is transparent in its communications but that residents should attend meetings and ask questions to become informed.

She questioned the process of hiring a new town manager, saying that she supports the recent selection of James McGrail but the outcome “seemed a little bit predetermined. It’s important for the community to be part of’’ the ultimate decision.

William Pike is the sole contender for the one-year seat on the select board, which has been vacant since the departure of Arthur Battistini, who resigned last year because he moved out of town.

Three candidates are vying for two seats on the School Committee. One seat is now held by Rich Young, who has chosen not to seek reelection. 

The other seat is held by Ezekiel Lewis, who is running for reelection. His challengers are Rebecca Hopkins and Susan Pennini. 

Lewis said keeping him on the board would ensure consistency. With three newcomers elected last year and a relatively new superintendent in Carolyn Lyons, “I think it’s important to have someone new there for continuity.’’

Hopkins said she is “excited to get involved.’’

Pennini did not attend but in a statement read by a family member she said she “wanted to give back to the community that has given me so much.’’ Her statement cited her work as a special education teacher, volunteer parent advocate and more than 40 years in educational administration at Curry College.

In response to questioning, Lewis said he agreed the committee “needs more transparency.’’ At times, he said, “the School Committee has been left in the dark about some things,’’ which he said then negatively impacts the committee’s ability to communicate with the public.

Hopkins said she didn’t have an opinion on the issue of transparency because she has not sat on the board, but “once I get in there, I’m more than happy to answer questions.’’

Three candidates _ incumbent Jack Healey, Adam Carbone and William Taylor _ are vying for two available seats as Gas and Electric Commissioners. 

Healey, whose extensive background in town includes serving more than 20 years as town manager, pointed out with pride that the commissioners recently promoted Ken Stone, who they hired in 2021 as assistant general manager of Middleboro Gas and Electric. Next month Stone will replace the retiring Jackie Crowley as general manager of Middleboro Gas and Electric. 

Taylor said he recently retired from Middleboro Gas and Electric after 40 years. He said his “background, knowledge and passion’’ would serve him well in the position of commissioner. 

Carbone did not attend but submitted a statement that noted his experience began as a college intern with Middleboro Gas and Electric. He said he has professional experience with technology related to energy service and plans to be “an independent voice’’ on the commission.

Uncontested races are: Robin Perry, Board of Assessors; David Cavanaugh, incumbent, Town Moderator; John Barrella III, incumbent, and Eric Viera Machado for two seats on Finance Committee; William Garceau, incumbent, Planning Board; incumbent Garrett Perry and Gregory Thomas for two seats on the Park Commission and Maureen Nicholson, Housing Authority.