Budget Concerns, Transparency Dominate Marshfield Select Board Forum

Candidates Lynn Fidler and Trish Simpson outline differing approaches to fiscal challenges and resident engagement in lead-up to May 3 election

MARSHFIELD - April 22 - Transparency, budget challenges and communication with residents emerge as key issues in the Marshfield Select Board race between incumbent Lynne Fidler and challenger Trish Simpson during a WATD political forum.

The candidates present contrasting visions for town governance ahead of the May 3 election, with both emphasizing the need for improved communication but differing on approaches to executive sessions and department head collaboration.

"I'm not here to claim I have all the answers," Simpson says in her opening statement. "I'm here to represent you, to amplify your voices and champion your concerns."

Fidler, the current chair of the Select Board, counters that her experience makes her the best candidate for the position.

"We have town property worth likely over hundreds of millions of dollars. We have a $120 million budget. This is a big job and it is important to have the knowledge and experience to oversee the business of the Select Board," Fidler says.

Budget concerns dominate much of the discussion, with both candidates identifying fiscal challenges as a priority.

"The biggest challenge undoubtedly is our budget," Fidler says. "It's our budget going forward in fiscal year 26 and next year when we come to town meeting in the spring going to fiscal year 27."

Simpson agrees on the importance of budget management but suggests a different approach to working with department heads.

"I definitely think the department heads play a crucial role and I feel like they have not been able to voice what has been going on in their departments," Simpson says. "I feel that they've been micromanaged."

Fidler disputes this characterization, stating that collaboration with department heads already exists.

"There is collaboration. There absolutely is collaboration," Fidler says. "We start the process early in the season... We're working all the time with our department heads."

The candidates also clash over the town's approach to transparency, particularly regarding executive sessions.

"Executive session is supposed to be an exception, not the rule, and it seems Marshfield has an executive session every single Select Board meeting," Simpson says. "I think that's not fair to the residents."

Fidler defends the use of executive sessions as necessary protection for the town.

"I think the executive session protects our town. It protects our employees," Fidler says. "When you are in executive session, you're there to limit the risk of the town, talk about the employees or labor negotiations, potential land purchases, and other things."

A particularly heated exchange occurs when Simpson suggests her motivation for running stems from witnessing unfairness in town governance, particularly regarding her husband's contract as fire chief not being renewed.

"It definitely was a pinnacle moment where I saw a lot of unfairness, and it opened my eyes," Simpson says. "I'm the type of person, when I see things that are wrong, I stand up and say it's wrong."

Fidler responds that Simpson's husband had been in executive session with his attorney prior to the contract decision.

Both candidates offer different approaches to improving communication with residents.

Simpson proposes revamping the town website and continuing her campaign practice of "walk and talk" events where residents can discuss issues with her in informal settings.

"This gets the Select Board members out of the office and out and about town," Simpson says.

Fidler suggests a "roundtable approach" to engage talented residents who might not have time for full board commitments.

"We need to get people at one table, eye to eye, and come up with some solutions," Fidler says.

The candidates also address the MBTA zoning requirements, with both supporting the town's lawsuit against the state.

"We were the first to sue the state," Fidler says. "We're suing them now, and we're working with our legislatives, and we are also working with other towns."

Simpson agrees with the lawsuit approach, calling the MBTA requirements "unconstitutional."

"It's an unfunded mandate," Simpson says. "So we're expected to take what the state is telling us to do and rezone when also the state is telling us we have the ability to vote when we rezone, but if we don't vote in their favor..."

On economic development, both candidates express support for growth while emphasizing different aspects.

"Economic development is what we need in this town," Fidler says, noting work on new liquor licenses and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce.

Simpson agrees but adds qualifications: "It should be done in a responsible manner, and, again, it should be according to zoning and conservation."

Both candidates also address the search for a new town administrator, with Simpson stating the next administrator "should work as an advisor" and "be strong on the budget."

Fidler emphasizes the need for someone with "peace of mind" when dealing with employees and strong financial skills.

In their closing statements, the candidates reiterate their core campaign messages.

"I have demonstrated that I am worthy of the residents' trust in the years that I've served this town," Fidler says. "I'm not in this for any single agenda or grudge."

Simpson positions herself as "the voice of change and the voice of the people," promising to ensure residents' voices are heard.

The Marshfield town election takes place Saturday, May 3.

Full forum available via MCM.