Two Marshfield Select Board Candidates Clash Over $7 Million Override at WATD Forum

Select Board · Meeting of July 13, 2026

Marshfield Select Board candidates divided on $7 million override at WATD forum. Two of three candidates vying for the open Select Board seat — former board member Chris Rowland and Housing Authority member Joe Pasevich — appeared at a WATD political forum on July 13, debating the town's fiscal year 2027 shortfall and how to resolve it. Rowland, who sits on the Advisory Board, backed sending a Proposition 2½ override question to voters, saying Town Meeting had already authorized it and that a sitting board member was "holding the people hostage" by blocking the ballot question.

Pasevich flatly rejected the override, arguing the contingency budget was never properly added to the warrant, questioning the $7 million figure itself, and pointing to a recent state cherry-sheet update he said could add close to $500,000 in new revenue. Both candidates said hiring a permanent town administrator is the most urgent priority, with Rowland describing the town as a "$110 to $120 million organization" running without a chief operating officer for over 15 months. Third candidate Jack Griffin did not attend; moderator Christine James said he appeared to be holding a campaign meet-and-greet the same evening.

The special election is July 25 at Marshfield High School.

In the full story:

• Format and Setting
• The Budget Deficit and the Override Question
• Town Administrator Search
• Governance Reform — Board Size and Government Structure
• Financial Management and Operational Review
• Ventress Memorial Library
• The complete report — 1,847 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.