Three Candidates Debate Budget Crisis, Transparency at Marshfield Select Board Forum

MARSHFIELD — April 20, 2026 — Three candidates squared off for a single open Marshfield Select Board seat at a live WATD radio forum Monday, with a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall dominating the debate. Frank Doran, a retired Massachusetts State Trooper; Joe Pasevich, a longtime community media producer; and Rick Smith, a finance executive and former advisory board chair, fielded questions from WATD reporter Tom Gorman, Monday Night Talk host Kevin Tocci, and Robert Goides of Marshfield Community Media. The deficit was cited at figures ranging from $4 million to $7.4 million, with Smith attributing it to a lack of forecasting and financial best practices — noting he was told to "stay within my lane" when he sought budget projections as advisory board chair — while Pasevich argued "we haven't been shown the real numbers." All three candidates said the town's prolonged failure to hire a permanent town administrator was unacceptable, with Smith pointing out that six surrounding towns completed similar searches within 11 months. Doran and Smith said an override question should go before voters; Pasevich said no override is needed this year. The election is May 2, with incumbent Steve Darcy not seeking re-election.