Wareham Fire District Clerk/Treasurer Marybeth Fernandes has held her position for 12 years, and is now seeking her fifth term.

According to Fernandes, her experience is something that gives her a significant leg up over challenger Wendy Lemieux.

"As the old saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Why risk upsetting 12 years of stable, efficient delivery of services," Fernandes said. "I am the only candidate with that experience! No one knows the job better than me."

Fernandes declined to be interviewed in person for this profile, preferring to answer a list of questions submitted by Wareham Week via e-mail.

Fernandes is not yet certified by the state as a treasurer, but explained at the Wareham Fire District Candidate's Night that she has had to deal with an illness in the family, and says that she is back on track to becoming certified.

Fernandes is a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Collectors and Treasurers Association, and the Massachusetts Municipal Auditors and Accountants Association.

She cites upgrading the district’s bond rating to AA+, and receiving successful audits of district financial records, as being among the things she has accomplished during her tenure.

Another issue raised at Candidate's Night was the hiring of an accountant at the office after she was elected.

Fernandes emphasized that she has gained valuable experience in municipal accounting over the course of her tenure, but also pointed out that accounting experience is not the only skill the job calls for.

"I have the municipal accounting experience," Fernandes wrote. "It is important for the district voters to note, this position is not just about accounting. It is about investing, bonding, procurement and having an understanding of the laws and procedures that govern the district and running elections."

A controversial topic in the office in recent months was the $210,000 that the district owes the Town of Wareham for the installation and upgrade of water mains, completed when the town was installing sewer nearby.

Fernandes cut the check for $570,000 of the loan, but has not paid the rest of the money because she says she's concerned with the legality of the process, noting that the project was not put out to bid.

Had the contract been put out to bid, a number of companies could have bid on the project in a competitive process.

"At the time, the first invoice for [$570,000] was received and paid, I was not aware the project had not been bid. Since previous projects had all been bid properly, I made payment," Fernandes explained. "When the $210,000 invoice was submitted to my office for payment, and I requested the bidding documents, I realized there were no bid documents for the first or second invoice."

Fernandes says that she contacted the Attorney General's office to ask how she should proceed, and was advised that she was not obligated to make the second payment despite having made the first.

Fernandes says that she declined to file a formal complaint with the Attorney General's office in part because she felt things could be worked out between all parties involved.

"I sought guidance from the appropriate state agencies and advised the Prudential Committee accordingly.  Filing a formal complaint would only have resulted in unnecessary legal expenses to the district," Fernandes wrote. "Why bother spending taxpayer's dollars and wasting time when it is much more advisable and prudent to recommend taking the proper legal steps to get the bill paid?"

Fernandes says the district and the town can rectify the situation legally by filing a special act with the state legislature. This action would have to be placed on the district warrant and voted on by district voters.

Fernandes moved to Wareham from Brockton at age 11, and graduated from Wareham High School in 1971.

"I attended Wareham Public Schools, got married to my Wareham High School sweetheart, raised my children in Wareham, and sent them to the Wareham school system," wrote Fernandes. "I hope to enjoy many more years in Wareham with my family."