Planning Board incumbent Steve Gonsalves says the word politician doesn’t suit him well.

The owner of Eden Florist and Garden Shop in Marion for the past 20 years, Gonsalves is currently the longest serving member of the Planning Board with nine years of experience, but many in town may know him best for his volunteer work.

His efforts  include organizing Marion’s annual summer block party, decorating homes for the Sippican Woman’s Club holiday house tour and beautification efforts in New Bedford.

“I don’t consider myself a politician,” Gonsalves said. “I’m a public servant at heart.”

Gonsalves moved to Marion after growing up in New Bedford’s south end and quickly adopted the town as his own. Here, he raised his children with his wife, and the couple is expecting a grandchild soon.

As a Planning Board member, he wants to promote development without losing the town’s charm.

“It’s like time forgot Marion, which is not a bad thing,” he said.

Although, after being on the board throughout the development of Dunkin’ Donuts and a recent proposal to build a CVS, Gonsalves admits that change is unavoidable.

Managing new developments will be key, he said.

“What you don’t want is explosive growth, but we’ve got to welcome new business in town,” he said. “Whether we want it or not it’s going to happen.”

Looking ahead, Gonsalves said he’d continue to take a commonsense approach to his work on the Planning Board and doesn’t plan on stopping his other volunteer efforts.