Two candidates will seek reelection during the Wareham Fire District’s upcoming election, set for Saturday, April 15. Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wareham Water Department, located at 2550 Cranberry Highway.

On the ballot is a single three-year-term on the Board of Water Commissioners and one three-year-term on the Prudential Committee.

Prudential Committee incumbent Rick England and Board of Water Commissioners incumbent John English are the candidates. With no competition, the lead up to the election has been quiet, but England took time to speak with Wareham Week about his candidacy. English could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts.

Rick England

A lifelong resident, Prudential Committee candidate Rick England says he’s seeking a third term on the Board of Water Commissioners because he wants to serve Wareham.

England was first elected to the committee in 2011. As co-owner of Legacy Insurance on Main Street, England said his business experience serves him well on the committee, which is tasked with providing oversight to Fire Department spending. There’s a bit of a balancing act to the role, says England. He added he’s interested in ensuring that the department receives the support it needs while remaining fiscally responsible.

“When you look at the fire department, one of the biggest expenditures is payroll,” said England. “You try to keep a lid on that, but by the same token, you’ve got to have the right amount of staff. That’s something you don’t want to shortchange yourself on.”

The months leading up to the April 10 Annual Fire District meeting were busy ones for the committee, said England.

Committee members reviewed information from the fire chief, who requested funds for a new rescue truck and maintenance money for the department’s ladder truck. After considering the information, England said the committee put its support behind a $65,000 request for corrosion control from the chief. Purchasing a new ladder truck would cost an estimated $1.5 million and committee members decided maintenance would add years to the life of the truck.

“We’re talking $65,000 versus $1.5 million to buy a new ladder truck. I think the $65,000 to rehab that vehicle will hold us off on having to pay a bigger expense,” said England.

England’s ties to the district are deep. His father served as district clerk/treasurer for many years in the 1980s.

“That’s one of the reasons why I value this so much. I consider what my father did in the past and want to contribute as well,” he said.

Despite the fact he’s running unopposed, England said he will campaign for the seat by putting out signs and letting voters know he’s very much interested in returning to the committee. Doing so lets voters know he’s serious about the position, said England.

“I want to show the public that this is where my interest lies and let them know I have their best interests at heart,” he said.

John English

Incumbent John English is running for his ninth term on the Board of Water Commissioners.

English is a life-long Wareham resident.

Prior to 2011, English served five non-consecutive terms on the Board of Water Commissioners, and at the time said he was running again because he feels passionately about the commissioners’ work.

English has been in the water business for more than 20 years. He was the owner of a water works specialist company, John D. English Inc., before he accepted the position of Pump Station Manager at the Bourne Water District.