Move Wareham Forward has officially registered as a political action committee (PAC) with a goal "to promote open, mature, civil and responsible dialogue and debate and the dissemination of factual information without negativity," the group said in a press release this week.

The group is headed by President David Begley, and was originally organized less than a year ago by Begley's wife Ellen, and residents Michael Schneider and Ted Podesta.

"We're trying to get people excited so that people know what's going on" in town, said David Begley.

As a political action committee, Move Wareham Forward can "raise and spend money to support or oppose one or more candidates, based upon stated principles or interests," according to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Any organization can donate money to political causes without registering as a political action committee. However, a group must register as a political action committee if it plans to "raise funds for a political purpose."

Members of Move Wareham Forward were vocally supportive of the former Board of Selectmen, including two - John Cronan and Bruce Sauvageau - who were defeated in April. David Begley said no current elected officials are on the group's board, but that the group had spoken with several who support the group's mission.

Begley said the impetus for registering as a political action committee was to be "above board" in their activities, as well as to broaden their impact.

Chief among the issues to be addressed by Move Wareham Forward will be school transportation policy and school bus safety, affordable housing, and Town Meeting attendance, Begley said.

Ellen Begley first raised concerns about the school buses' safety record in March, and Schneider sits on the transportation subcommittee that is investigating the issue.

David Begley said he would like to get more citizen involvement at semi-annual Town Meetings as well as in the public meetings of boards and commissions.

"We want people to come to Town Meeting and other public meetings," said Begley. "We want to dispel those fears of people being intimidated at Town Meeting by offering to go as a group and sitting together."

But the group said this doesn't mean that the members must agree on all issues.

"Move Wareham Forward understands we, as individuals, will not agree on everything that comes before us," the group said in a press release. "Our hope is that a majority of us can agree on a majority of issues."

Move Wareham Forward plans to use its website, which is currently under construction, to disseminate material about elections and town meetings.

"Some people say 'that it's torture' participating in politics," said David Begley. "We're trying to get those people to come in" and be comfortable.