ROCHESTER — The Rochester Board of Selectmen appointed two new members to the Rochester Conservation Commission at a Tuesday, Aug. 2 meeting.

The two new members are Matthew Bache and Ben Bailey, who also serves as an elected member of the Planning Board.

The Selectmen were divided on the appointment of Bailey.

Members Brad Morse and Paul Ciaburri contended that an experienced board member would be a good thing for the commission while Woody Hartley argued that they should go with a third applicant who was not otherwise involved in local government.

“I’m leaning towards giving it to the two new people,” said Hartley. “There’s enough experience on that board to bring them along.”

Hartley also worried that Bailey might be tempted to speak for the Planning Board while working with the Conservation Commission, despite not having the authority to do so.

The other two, however, said they thought the overlap might help the two boards coordinate more effectively as their work is often intertwined.

After some debate, the Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 to appoint Bailey.

“I just think it’s great that we have more than one person trying to get on any board,” said Morse.