Meet Mattapoisett Select Board candidate Ned Kaiser

MATTAPOISETT — A business owner and lifelong resident, Ned Kaiser wants to bring his problem solving skills and fresh perspective to the Mattapoisett Select Board. 

Kaiser is among six candidates on the ballot for three open seats on the Select Board, one vacated by former chair Tyler Macalister as he runs for Congress and two newly added this year. 

He brings municipal experience as a member of the Marine Advisory Board and from his time working at the Fire Department, which gave him the opportunity to work with town agencies and officials.

Since he’s younger than his fellow candidates, he said he also brings a younger perspective and ability to navigate new technology and a changing financial landscape. 

Kaiser runs the Mattapoisett Boatyard with his father, and has been in the business from a young age. He said he learned at a young age how businesses should and shouldn’t work, and is excited to bring experience dealing with problems and coming up with solutions. 

After a massive fire destroyed the boatyard in 2022, Kaiser said he worked with town and state officials when rebuilding. 

“I learned a lot about budgeting, planning, everything that goes into a big project like that, while also running a business,” Kaiser said. “That was quite hard, but that gives me a lot more sense on how to deal with a big project.”

As a Select Board member, he said his priority would be financial stability. He said he wants to ensure the town doesn’t overspend while still funding important projects. 

Affordable housing is another priority. Kaiser said ADU and Cottage Cluster housing options are a good way to encourage younger residents to move to town, and wants to find more solutions to keep residents in Mattapoisett and encourage more people to move in. 

Transparency is also important to him, and he said he wants to provide a listening ear and more participation when it comes to town decisions. If elected, he said he wants to incorporate more meetings with residents into decision making. 

He described himself as a team-oriented leader, balancing working together with taking a strong stance. When making decisions, he encourages everyone to work together towards a solution. 

In his time running the boatyard, he said he’s developed a knack for finding solutions to the problems people face.

“For a living I help people with their problems and find a solution,” he said. “I always somehow find a way to get it done, whether it be for me or for somebody else — I would rather help somebody else than myself — and I want to bring that to the town.”