MARION — The Marion Planning Board will have a different look after Election Day, with two incumbents choosing not to run and four candidates seeking those open seats. 

Board Chairman William Saltonstall and Clerk Joe Rocha, will not be returning, leaving both seats to be filled with new faces.

“I have really enjoyed my service for the past six years,” said Saltonstall, “but I felt like it was time for someone else.” 

Rocha explained that his choice not to return was all about timing. “My son is getting older and I have a new job, so I’m taking a break,” he said. “Maybe I’ll be back in the future.” 

Both Rocha and Saltonstall cited the potential Wareham Road development and the Lockheed Martin property as important topics of conversation for the incoming planning board.

Marion residents will have a choice to make, as four people are running for the two open positions: Barrett Levenson, Andrew Daniel, Tucker Burr, and William Dale Jones.

Barrett Levenson

Barrett Levenson is running to “represent the next generation in Marion.” He moved to Marion in 2016 and built a house in 2017-2018. At 36, he thinks he can bring a younger perspective to the planning board.

Levenson has a masters degree in business administration from Northeastern University and works as an environmental consultant. He is also a program manager for a tech company.

He believes the board needs to look at the future of the town. “We need to take a look at how we’re going to deal with and accommodate all different demographics from retirees to young, growing families,’’ he said.

He noted that there are a lot of good projects happening. “Seeing how they can improve the town is what we need to focus on.”

Levenson says if the town wants him, he’s ready to serve. “I’m apolitical. I think I have value to add to the board and hopefully the town agrees.”

Andrew Daniel

Andrew Daniel is looking to return to the Marion Planning Board after spending the past year busy with family. 

“I’m still busy with my family, but not to the same extent I was last year,’’ he explained. “I really enjoyed my time on the board and we accomplished a lot.” 

Daniel says that he’s “big into small business.” During his previous tenure, he’s most proud that the board supported Mary Celeste Whiskey and Wine Library and Tri Town Motors. He’s most interested in filling available space with businesses that would be valuable to Marion residents.

Daniel also works for the Town of Rochester as a contractor, and serves on the Friends of Marion Recreation Department. 

When asked, Rocha stated that he would endorse Daniel, who he has worked with on the board previously. “Andrew is passionate and prepared, what more could you ask for?” Rocha said. 

Saltonstall said he wasn’t familiar enough with the candidates to make an endorsement. 

Tucker Burr

Tucker Burr has lived in Marion nearly his whole life. As an alumni of both Tabor Academy and Sippican School, Burr has said that he’s “very familiar with the culture of the town.”

Burr has been interested in getting more involved with local politics for a few years. After spending the past year on the Zoning Board, which he calls a “rewarding experience,” he said it’s time to take the next step. 

Burr cites housing as the number one issue for the town and what he is interested in working on with the Planning Board. He would also like to focus on anything related to water and sewer.

In addition to his work with the town, Burr is the president of Burr Brothers Boats, Inc., a family business boat yard that has been in Marion since 1954. 

William Dale Jones

William Dale Jones, known as Dale, has been involved in town since he moved here 50 years ago. He helped found the town’s Emergency Medical Service in 1977 and served as its first director. 

He’s also a deputy director with the Emergency Management Committee, chaired the police station building committee and served on the Sippican Elementary School building committee. He is also part of the Community Emergency Response Team, also known as CERT. 

A graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Jones served in the U.S. Marines. He later served as president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Alumni Association. 

Jones is a registered professional engineer and previously owned business, GA Rogers in Fall River. He believes his extensive amount of planning experience throughout his career makes him a good candidate. 

“I’d like to encourage new businesses and clean industries,” he said, adding that if he were elected, he would focus on making sure the board all worked together to keep the town strong.