Second-time candidate Dennis McCarthy is vying for a spot on the Rochester Planning Board.

“I have run one time and missed it by a few votes and I decided to throw my hat in again,” said McCarthy.

With experience as both an explosive ordnance disposal technician as well as in the commercial developer throughout the Northeast, McCarthy said he believes that the skills he's learned throughout his career will transfer to a role on the Planning Board.

“I've worked hand-in-hand with developers and contractors throughout that time, and I think this was some of the experience I will be able to bring to the planning board,” he said.

McCarthy said that he hopes to see a number of projects come to fruition such as a stalled 40R affordable housing development and updates to town public safety buildings.

“I think this is where someone with my background can help out in dealing with some of these larger projects because I've dealt with them for 25 years,” said McCarthy.

McCarthy said he believes that one of the biggest issues that Rochester is facing is the “skyrocketing” prices of homes in town.

“It is becoming expensive for the seniors who live here now and it's becoming almost impossible for a young couple to buy a home in Rochester,” said McCarthy.

In order to help combat this issue, McCathy said he would like to see zoning changes that will allow for easier construction of duplexes and multifamily homes.

He said that he hopes to see the same demographics currently residing in Rochester stay in town, rather than “pricing everyone out.”

McCarthy also stated that he was “not a fan” of Rochester being involved with the Green Communities program.

“Massachusetts already has some of the strictest building codes in the nation, all we're doing is making it more and more expensive to build here in an already expensive town,” he said. “I don't think the payback that we get from the state is worth what it's costing people.”

McCarthy said that he aims to help families move to Rochester.

“I'm so passionate about affordable housing and making Rochester affordable to younger couples because we'd love to see them here and have kids moving back,” said McCarthy.

McCarthy is facing challengers Ben Bailey and John DeMaggio for one of two seats on the Rochester Planning Board in the town election on Wednesday, May 24.