ROYALSTON – Bill Chapman said it that the help he and his family received from the community following a fire at their home drove him to seek a seat on the Selectboard.

Chapman, of Royalston, is one of two candidates running to replace outgoing Selectboard member Deb D’Amico who, after six years on the board, attended her last meeting on March 16. Chapman’s opponent in next week’s Town Election is former Selectboard member Gary Winitzer.

Chapman, a Templeton police officer, said his decision to jump into the race was based in large part on the support he received from the community after his family’s home of 17 years was destroyed by fire in January 2016. At that time, residents came together to donate items and raise funds to help his family recover from their loss.

“When we had the fire, the town was just so supportive of us,” he said. “I love this town; I love everything about it. So, when they asked, I told people that if the town ever needed me to (run) that I would do so. This year they said, ‘We think we need you to do it,’ and that’s the reason I decided to take out (nomination) papers. I want to be of service to the town.”

Chapman said he wants to listen to the residents and do what is in their best interests. While collecting signatures for his nomination papers at the town’s transfer station, he explained, “I had a young fellow who I’d never met before ask me, ‘What is your agenda?’ And I said, ‘To be honest, I don’t have one. I just want to serve the town and the people of the town – to be a voice for them, however that turns out. I really don’t have a horse in the race, if you will.’”

A native of Templeton, Chapman has been doing police work for approximately 15 years, starting out in Royalston for four years and then getting a full-time position in Phillipston. In June of last year, Chapman took a full-time overnight position with the Templeton Police Department.

Chapman is a 1989 graduate of Narragansett Regional High School. Before entering law enforcement, he spent time in the physical therapy field. He started out at Bridgewater State College (now Bridgewater Stat University) before transferring to Mount Wachusett Community College, where he received his associate degree in physical therapy.

Chapman said he isn’t really doing any campaigning for the Selectboard post, instead depending on word-of-mouth and his reputation in the community to give him the win.

“A couple of people asked about (campaigning) and I said I don’t really want to do that. I am not a self-promoter at all,” he said. “I’m just not into that. I’ve been around the area a long time and I think enough people know me. I would have it rather be a grassroots kind of thing. If the people of town think I’m the right candidate I think they’ll spread the word and vote accordingly.”

Polls will be open Monday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Royalston Town Hall.

Reach Greg Vine at gvineadn@gmail.com.