Four more candidates interviewed for a place on the Westfield RFP Review and Recommendation Committee during Tuesday's Board of Selectmen Meeting.

The new committee is charged with writing, reviewing, and making suggestions to the Selectmen for a request for proposal, or RFP, for the construction of senior affordable housing on the Westfield property in West Wareham.

Richard Boucher, Bruce Sauvageau, Martha Strachan, and William Heaney addressed the board concerning their applications this week.

Former member of the now disbanded Westfield Review Committee and former chairman of the Council on Aging board Richard Boucher told the board he'd like to see the project through its next step. Boucher noted his passion for the project since it was first proposed. He admitted to having limited RFP experience, but noted that his background in security, life safety technology, and knowledge of building codes are essential to mapping out Westfield's future. "I think it important for someone on the committee to know about [codes]," he stated.

Bruce Sauvageau, a former Selectman, touted his experience working on the Westfield development. "I bring an institutional, historic knowledge of the project," he told the board. This would be Sauvageau's third time working on this specific RFP if selected. He also has been a member of the Housing Committee and the committee charged with the construction of Wareham Middle School. He told Selectman Brenda Eckstrom that the sewer system, details of the management contract, and the newly proposed recreational park would be the most important elements of the revised RFP.

Martha Strachan, board member of the Council on Aging, said she believes her history of working with seniors will make her an asset to the committee. "I am familiar with the needs of seniors," she said. She told the board affordable housing is the most important part of the RFP. A grant writer, Strachan has several years experience working with these types of proposals, but explained her personal connection with the project would make her the right choice. "I'm a young senior and I have made it a point to identify myself to their needs," she explained.

William Heaney has spent much of his career developing new buildings, he said. As an employee of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth he handled more than $150 million worth of new construction for the school including projects for housing, athletic fields, and security. Heaney said his involvement in the committee will help the group evaluate oversights in the proposal. "In a quick review of the [current] RFP, I noticed it lacks specificity," he pointed out, noting the size of the units was still undetermined. "Defining" the direction of project would be the committee's most valuable role, he stated.

Donna Bronk, chair of the Finance Committee, was also called for an interview on Tuesday, but withdrew her application.

These candidates will join Michael Schneider, Sandy Slavin, and Marcia Griswold, who sat before the board last week for its consideration. Everyone who applies will eventually have an opportunity to interview with the Board of Selectmen for five to eight minutes during one of the board's upcoming meetings. The committee's revised RFP will be looked over during a joint meeting between the groups on March 26.

The Selectmen will ultimately submit the request for contractors' bids. A representative from the committee will provide weekly updates to the Board of Selectmen during its Tuesday meetings.

If all goes as planned, the committee will be in place before month's end, in time to finalize a draft to submit to Town Administrator Mark Andrews on April 1.

Municipal Maintenance update on dams

In other town news, Municipal Maintenance Director Mark Gifford addressed the board on the state of the town's two dams.  Gifford reported he will meet with A.D. Makepeace on February 16 to discuss the future of Parker Mills Dam. The company currently controls the dam's water level and locks.

Pots Mill Dam, which was deemed a 'high hazard' structure in 2007, was supposed to be inspected again last month, but that date was rescheduled for April due to inclement weather.

According to the latest engineer's assessment, the dam will cost between $1.6 and $2 million to repair. A proposal was submitted to the Capital Planning Committee in January, but no town financing has been established yet. Gifford told the board no grants were available for the project when he last checked, but he is continuing to look into state or federal assistance.

"Makepeace should have some responsibility," Selectman Brenda Eckstrom noted.

The town's second, lower risk, dam was recently repaired. The Tremont Nail Dam has a new gate, according to Gifford. Other repairs are still pending.