The incumbent Mayor’s father taught him most of what he knows about fiscal responsibility.
Chuck Watson has never had a car payment.
“When I was 17, my dad said I needed a car to go to work,” Watson told The Sun outside of Main Street’s Harvest Coffee on a hot Friday afternoon in Medford. “So we went out and bought a Honda Civic, and I had no car payment for that because I saved my money and my dad helped me out a little bit with it.”
As soon as he bought his first car, his dad gave him a valuable piece of advice: start saving for your next one.
That always stuck with him.
“So I’m 58 years old now, and I’ve never had a car payment in my life. I’ve always paid cash for my cars, and I’ve always saved a little money,” he said.
This is a lot like how Watson tries to run Medford’s finances, and how he credits helping walk Medford’s financial problems back from the previous council’s mishaps. During the time Watson served on the town’s council, the town’s debt has gone from $75.5 million to $51.5 million, according to the town’s audits in 2011 and 2016.
“There’s a reason we got in trouble [during the previous council’s term]. Before we just did everything. We had a lot of police officers, we picked up brush more than what we’re picking up now, we picked up leaves more than what we’re picking up now. So it’s finding that balance that you can afford to make it sustainable so you don’t start digging that hole again,” he said.
Watson was born and raised in Medford. He raised his two kids here, and three of his grandkids live here as well. He’s been married for 37 years.
He’s the owner of his own electrical contracting company, which is a family company originally started by Watson’s great-grandfather. Watson always knew he wanted to be involved with the family company, so a college degree wasn’t really worth it to him. However, he did attend Widener College — now Widener University — where he took some business and accounting classes.
Watson started as a Boy Scout when he was 11, and eventually became an Eagle Scout. At age 17, he became a volunteer firefighter at Taunton Volunteer Fire Company, and stayed there for 24 years.
Being a businessman, Watson is proud of the businesses he’s been able to attract to Medford. He credited himself and the rest of the council for the new Republic Bank on Skeet Road. Additionally, the town is home to two new breweries: Nalehouse Brewery and Lower Forge Brewery.
“We actually changed ordinances in our downtown business district to allow breweries, which brings more foot traffic,” he said.
Watson is proud of what the council has achieved during his tenure, however, “we’re constantly looking for ways to improve,” he said. He’s trying to find better ways to communicate with and reach out to the community. Currently, the Neighborhood Services Advisory Committee is conducting polling among residents to find out how the township can accomplish this.
“I’m proud of our town,” he said. “I mean, it’s a great place to live. I love living here. I’ve lived here for a long time, and I have no intention of going anywhere.”
