MATTAPOISETT – The Mattapoisett Select Board interviewed a third and final candidate, Fairhaven Building Commissioner Randall Bassett, for the position of Mattapoisett Building Commissioner on Monday, Jan. 29.

The other two finalists, Easton Building Commissioner Kevin Greiner and Sherborn Building Commissioner Chris Canney, were interviewed at a Jan. 22 Select Board meeting.

A fourth candidate who was originally in the running was not interviewed and will no longer be considered for the role simply due to availability, according to town administrator Mike Lorenco.

Lakeville Building Commissioner Nathan Darling again joined the Select Board to serve as an outside third-party perspective during the meeting.

Randall Bassett

Randall Bassett, a UMass Dartmouth graduate, is currently the building commissioner for Fairhaven. Originally from Brewster where he still lives, Bassett said he grew up in a “building family.”

As someone from a small, historic town, Bassett said he sees Mattapoisett as a very historic town too.

“It seems like you’re very aligned with that in keeping it that way, so I’d like to try to figure some things out,” Bassett said. “To see if you want to move towards growth – how you want to grow while preserving your history.”

Asked about management style, Bassett said he generally lets his employees “do their thing.”

“If they are unsure of what to do, I guide them,” Bassett said. “I don’t tell them what to do, but we run ideas off each other. Basically, I know that these guys know what they’re doing, so I trust them to do their job, so I don’t put the hammer down on anybody.”

In terms of opportunities available in Mattapoisett, Bassett said he saw the town’s master plan as trying to grow while maintaining its center as a main street and a historic downtown.

“It doesn’t seem like you guys are really into that, as far as growing huge,” Bassett said. “You just want to keep it kind of the way it is, a quaint little village, but obviously you have to have some growth.”

Mattapoisett Select Board Chair Jodi Bauer said the Select Board hoped to have a decision regarding the building commissioner position for the public next week.