Once the candidates at the Rochester Candidates' Forum took their seats in front of the room, Town Moderator Woody Hartley joked, “Well, now we have no crowd.”

Still, with only a week until the election, it was an opportunity to hear from those candidates who were able to attend the Wednesday afternoon forum, sponsored by the Council on Aging and held at the Senior Center.

Up first was David Hughes, who is running uncontested for his long-held position as constable as well as a place on the Park Commission, where he currently serves as chair.

Regarding the constable position, which has two seats up for election, Hughes said he works closely with the Police Department to serve summons and other orders while also doing repossessions, foreclosures, etc.

“We’re not very busy out here. Things are pretty good,” he said. “There’s not a lot of people who owe us money, so we’re in pretty good shape.”

Speaking of the Park Commission, Hughes described some of the group’s responsibilities, including the upkeep of the ball fields in town. He said the commission is working with the Conservation Commission to create a path around the ball fields and park that would connect to the Senior Center. Hughes gave credit to the Conservation Commission for initiating the plan and applying for a grant to help pay for the proposed quarter-mile path.

He also stressed that the Park Commission is open to having residents and others use the town’s fields.

“If you want to use our parks, we have the availability. We’re more than happy to have you here. That’s what they’re for,” said Hughes.

Lorne Estabrook is also running for constable. Although this is his first time to run for the position, he said he has 38 years in law enforcement, is a Vietnam veteran and knows how to serve papers.

Sharon Hartley is a “veteran member” of the Rochester School Committee and is running uncontested. She stated two reasons for running again.

First: “I’m a lifelong educator,” she said. “I teach leadership now at UMass. I enjoy offering that knowledge to our town.”

Second: “My strong feeling is that it’s important for all of us to give back to our town,” Hartley said. “This is a realistic way for me to give back to our community.”

Selectman incumbent Brad Morse was the final candidate present and the only one whose seat is contested. His opposition, Mike Murphy, was not able to attend the forum.

Morse started off saying he is a fifth generation cranberry grower in town and has served on town boards since 1992 – 12 years on the Planning Board and 9 on the Board of Selectmen.

“It’s important to serve your community,” said Morse. “I take a very active role on the board. I have a strong understanding of all the financial constraints on the town.”

During his tenure on the board, Morse said the Selectmen have brought recycling and trash pickup to town, seen the paramedic service upgraded to full time and done improvements on the Town Hall.

Going forward he said the board would continue to work to maintain the town’s services to residents.

For those who missed it, ORCTV will broadcast the forum. Check listings for the time.

The election is Wednesday, April 13. Polling will take place at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All registered voters may participate.