The last six candidates for the Westfield RFP Review and Recommendation Committee were evaluated during Tuesday night'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.

There are currently 14 hopefuls in the running. Michael Schneider, Sandy Slavin, Richard Boucher, Bruce Sauvageau, Martha Strachan, and William Heaney addressed the board concerning their applications during the past two selectmen meetings. Marcia Griswold, who served as the town's Director of Senior and Social Services, also interviewed for a spot on the committee, though she has since placed on administrative leave for unknown reasons.

On Tuesday, David Nilson, Michele Rose, Joseph Mulkern, Robert Powilatis, Pamela Dudley, and James Franklin were up for interviews for the volunteer position. Powilatis, Dudley, and Franklin could not attend the meeting, however.

Chris Smith and Elizabeth Pezzoli were called for interviews on Tuesday night, but withdrew their applications.

David Nilson addressed the board first. His resume boasts 25 years of construction experience, including consulting work which required him to develop and respond to requests for proposals. Nilson has limited knowledge of the Westfield project, but noted that it wasn't a weakness. "I come to the board with a clean slate," he stated. "I have a clear frame of mind to be of service to Wareham." He went on to tell the Selectmen that working with qualified developers will be instrumental in the completion of Westfield. His other accomplishments include managing a $150 million construction project for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

Michele Rose currently works as a grant writer and consultant for subsidized housing organizations. She has also created proposals for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She has extensive background with writing RFPs and lists one of her proudest accomplishments as her involvement with the Luis Martinez House in New Bedford, which provides housing for people with HIV and AIDS. She told the board that access to physical activity and social services would be among the most important elements to the Westfield RFP. This paragraph was updated on 2/20/11 for clarification of Rose's qualifications.

Joseph Mulkern is a retired plumber and heating specialist with expertise in building and managing water and heating systems in senior-assisted and affordable housing units. As an employee of the Boston Housing Authority, Mulkern oversaw the construction of energy-efficient apartment buildings. He has also been involved with the finalization of numerous RFPs for that organization.

The Board of Selectmen will vote to determine the seven members of the committee during its meeting this Saturday. Applicants will be notified if they were chosen before the committee's first scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 24. There will be no Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, February 22.

In other town business:

Interviews were conducted for open positions on the Commission on Disability and Council on Aging Board of Directors. Joseph Mulkern, a candidate for the Westfield RFP Review and Recommendation Committee, was appointed by the board. Lynne Burroughs was also called for an interview. Burroughs applied for the position in September, but confusion as to the number of seats left vacant on the board postponed her approval Tuesday.

The selectmen re-appointed Dorothy Taylor to her current position as Town Registrar.

Andrews will meet with the state Department of Transportation on March 9 to discuss the feasibility of the Wareham Community Pathway.

The Wareham Police Department purchased two new All Terrain Vehicles with a $22,000 federal grant the department received. The officers debuted the ATVs outside the Multi-Service Center before Tuesday night's selectmen meeting. Interim Police Chief Richard Stanley told the board the new ATVs will be used during search and rescue missions in the town's wetlands and as a part of beach patrol.