MIDDLEBORO — William Pike knows he will win a seat on the Middleboro Select Board.

He is running unopposed for the year that is remaining in the term previously held by Arthur Battistini who moved out of town.

But that doesn’t mean Pike takes the position or the election lightly. “I don’t want to go in backwards,’’ he said. “I want them to vote for me because they want me there.’’

And once his year is completed, he said he will likely run again for a full term.

Pike has lived in town since 1985, when he purchased a two-family home to start his homeowning journey.

Homes such as two-families or duplexes would provide a good start for young people, he said, and he would like to work to see that those opportunities exist for residents.

Until recently, Pike served as chair of the Finance Committee. He also has a long professional history of working in retail, where his responsibilities included balancing the books.

Serving on the Finance Committee allowed him to be on the “inside looking out’’ on issues. “I was able to get a feel for what is going on in town.’’

Attracting retail and industrial business will “help economically’’ by spreading out the tax burden, he said.

Part of this process, he said, is to “make sure the land is strategically and smartly being used.’’

A top priority, he said, is ensuring that the community “stays healthy and safe.’’ This includes making sure police and fire departments have the resources they need, roads are well cared for and all residents have “clean and healthy water.’’

In January, town residents were notified that the East Grove Street Well contained a monthly reading of 21 nanograms per liter of PFAS; anything above 20 nanograms per liter is considered a violation by the state. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of certain fire-fighting foams, moisture and stain-resistant products and other industrial processes.

The town is working on upgrades to the East Grove Street Well, with the ultimate goal of having no PFAS in the water. “We’re heading in the right direction,’’ he said.

He said he supports “being transparent with the community.’’ “One strong quality I have is being very approachable to everybody. He said he hopes to “bring some stability’’ with his “calm demeanor’’ and ability to listen to people and “do my homework’’ on issues brought before the board.

Civility matters, he said. “There’s room for disagreement, there’s room for discussion, there’s room for two different views,’’ he said. “There’s no room for being rude and obnoxious.’’

Pike said he’s “always been interested in helping the community,’’ which he described as “a great place to live and bring up children.’’

He said he will keep that in mind as he serves as a select board member.

“I want this to be a place people can be glad to bring their kids up in,’’ he said, with conditions that allow their kids in turn to do the same.