Rochester candidate Michael Murphy says he wants to bring fresh ideas to the Board of Selectmen, beginning with changes to benefit public safety and education.

In the town’s only contested race, Murphy is vying with incumbent Brad Morse for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. Election Day is April 10.

With seven grandkids in the local school system, Murphy said one of his biggest concerns is education. If elected, Murphy said he would like to work with town officials to increase the number of after-school programs for students and to get more volunteers involved with the programs.

“The most important thing is to keep kids busy. If we don’t, they get in trouble. For me, it’s like buying insurance. I think we should do what we can afford to do to keep kids busy in schools. It’s great to see how the kids get excited about being in a school play or playing basketball,” Murphy said.

Murphy is also hoping to work with officials on bringing Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance services to town.

“All of the other towns near us have ALS,” Murphy said. “Our Fire Department worked hard to get grants so we could get ALS service. When someone is having a heart attack, time is of the essence. I think it’s time for the town to look into this. We have dedicated people on the Fire Department. I’m going to back them 100 percent.”

A longtime Rochester resident, Murphy and his late father Chesley started the family business, Murphy’s Auto Salvage, on County Road in 1969. Murphy now runs the business with his sons.

“I’d like to see [my kids] take it to the next level,” Murphy said.

Murphy served as a Selectman in the 1990s and has also served on the town’s Finance Committee.

Remembering his former days on the Board of Selectmen, Murphy said, “We accomplished a lot. We kept everybody on their toes. We formed the Building Needs Committee. We swapped land with the church to expand the Town Hall. We expanded the Police Station and the baseball fields on Dexter Lane.”

Currently, Murphy serves on the town’s Planning Board. If elected as a selectman, Murphy said he will not give up his seat on the Planning Board.

“People give a lot to the town,” Murphy said. “When I was on the Board of Selectmen, the other selectmen were on other committees and boards as well. It can help speed things up. If we are discussing something with the Planning Board, I can be on top of explaining things to the other selectmen.”

If he is elected, Murphy said there is one thing about the Selectmen meetings he would like to change. He would rather the meet every Monday as opposed to every other week.

“When I was a selectman, we met every week. I would make it every Monday night so anyone can come if they need something. If we don’t have an answer, we can find one,” Murphy said.

Murphy said he would also like to see more residents getting involved in town government.

“I enjoy being with people,” Murphy said. “In this business, you meet some of the nicest people. I like turning around challenges. If the townspeople have any questions or suggestions, I’d like to hear them.”

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