Frank DeFelice, of Maki Way, said that restoring civility to Wareham town government is the first step in resolving the town's financial challenges.

"Civility is the biggest issue," DeFelice said. "We need to get the town to get back together as a group and stop infighting. I think that once we get the town on a smooth level, then the finances will come in place."

DeFelice, a native of Canton and graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology, said that he has the experience to return Wareham to solid footing. He has been the building inspector for the Town of Eastham for nine-and-a-half years and also serves as the assistant health agent, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator, and the zoning enforcement officer.

He said that having such varied responsibilities is something that comes naturally after his nine years living in Milton, N.H., where a population of 3,800 required that everybody "wore a lot of hats." He said that you also had to get along with everybody in such a small town, especially when one of the hats he wore was that of Selectman, an office which he was appointed to, elected to, and then reelected to.

"Knowing how to deal with people is essential in a small town," said DeFelice. "My ability to work with people has been my best asset."

He said that in Eastham, he compiles his own budget with the town clerk, he works closely with the town assessor on specific building projects, and he regularly confers with the town administrator and town accountant.

"I know how towns operate, and I don't think Wareham is really any different," he said.

However, he believes that infighting has preoccupied Wareham town government to the point where services are being impacted, resulting in a disconnect and antagonism among the Board of Selectmen and the Municipal Department heads.  The result has been poor management, poor morale and poor service that ultimately hurt the taxpayer.

"The number of people that they've let go, and the number of lawsuits from former department heads brought against the town - everybody can't be wrong and they're [the Selectmen] are right," DeFelice said. "The people who have left the town don't seem to have a problem finding jobs in other towns," he noted.

He also said that this disconnect also negatively impacts the town's fiscal health.  Not only does it cost the town money to defend itself in lawsuits against former employees, but it  forces the town to make poor and unfair financial decisions.

For instance, DeFelice believes that the new cruisers for the police department, while popular, are ultimately a mistake.

"You don't buy a huge number of vehicles at once," he said. "Are you going to turn in all eight of them at the same time? There's a grant for the first year, but then will be going to the people for the next year's [funds] and they say they will 'find it in their budget.' They wouldn't give the previous chief anything - now a part-time guy comes in and gets anything he wants - dogs, cruisers, anything. It's not right."

Despite his criticism - and he admits that his temper and outspokenness has got him in trouble at times - he thinks that he could common ground with members of the current board.

At Candidates Night, he praised the board's efforts to get the Wareham Free Library certified, reinstate lifeguards, and moving the Rosebrook development forward.

But he says his biggest strength is the opportunity to bring change.

"If [voters] want three more years of what's going on now in this town, then elect the incumbents," DeFelice said. "If they want a change, then put me in there."