Wendy Lemieux of Dinah's Way is challenging incumbent Marybeth Fernandes for the position of Wareham Fire District Clerk/Treasurer. If elected, Lemieux says her primary goal will be figuring out how to save the district taxpayers money.

One way Lemieux plans to cut expenses in the office is to have payroll done at the office, rather than outsourcing it at a cost of approximately $6,000. She says that after a period of adjustment after being elected, she'd like to take over the accountant's role.

"Prior to the incumbent taking office there was the Clerk/Treasurer, and I believe a part-time staff person. They handled the payroll and there was no accountant necessary," Lemieux explained. "So while I believe there will be a learning curve for me, as there is with any new job that you take on, I'd like to think I can also manage the accounting piece."

Lemieux is currently employed by the Town of Bourne as the Assistant Treasurer/Collector. She previously worked for Bourne's Natural Resources Department.

She has been the Assistant Treasurer for three years, and the Assistant Collector since August 2012, after Bourne combined the offices.

Keeping the information of employees safe is another good reason to do payroll in-house, according to Lemieux.

One of the issues raised at the district's Candidate's Night was an incident in which the payroll for the fire department was dropped off at the police station after the delivery person found the district office closed. Some envelopes were allegedly opened, allowing sensitive information to be disclosed.

Since then, according to statements Fernandes made at Candidate's Night, a box into which the courier may drop the payroll has been installed.

"I would be uncomfortable with that. ... What if somebody hacked into the drop box?" Lemieux asks. "Again, it's my hope to bring [payroll] in-house so we wouldn't have that issue."

Lemieux has two years of coursework under her belt (with one to go) before she can take the test to become certified as a treasurer by the state. Certification is not required by the Town of Bourne for the position she currently holds, but Lemieux says she felt it was necessary.

"It's not a requirement, but I'm taking the initiative to get certified," said Lemieux.

Lemieuz has 13 years of commercial banking experience with Rockland Trust, and 20 years of experience as an independent bookkeeper.

In addition to her professional experience, Lemieux has volunteered her time as president of the Decas Parents Pack and treasurer of the Wareham Little League.

With regard to the $210,000 the district owes the Town of Wareham for water main repairs and upgrades, Lemieux says that she believes the procurement issue is between the town and the state, and that the bill should be paid.

"I think the necessary steps need to be taken to get the town paid," said Lemieux.

The district currently owes the town of Wareham $210,000 that it borrowed for the purpose of installing and upgrading water mains. Incumbent Marybeth Fernandes signed off on a portion of the payment, explaining that she didn't realize it had not been put out to bid at the time.

Fernandes believes that by failing to put the contract out to bid, state procurement laws were violated.

If elected, Lemieux says she would like to further her education in order to avoid issues like this in the future.

"I would also look to become certified as a chief procurement officer. ... In light of the situation that has come up, that would just be another certification that would be necessary to have," she said.

The Clerk/Treasurer's position pays a salary of approximately $70,000, and although she is running for the office, Lemieux isn't convinced that it should necessarily be an elected position.

"The only qualifications you need to pull papers ... are that you are a resident of the district and that you can get 25 registered voters within the district to sign your nomination papers," said Lemieux. "I'm not sure that's providing the taxpayers with someone who's qualified to do the job."

Lemieux moved to Wareham in 1996 with her husband and four kids. Her husband owns Wareham-based plumbing company JS Lemieux & Sons.