Selectmen, School Committee and Planning Board candidates fielded questions from a crowd of roughly 100 people during the League of Women Voters annual candidate’s night.

Held Wednesday in the Music Hall, the event offered an opportunity for those running to introduce themselves to the community. Candidates answered questions on future development and school issues.

Candidates had three minutes to give an opening statement, two minutes to answer audience questions and were allowed brief closing remarks.

Residents were most interested in hearing about the Planning Board. Incumbents Steve Gonsalves and Stephen Kokkins received the most questions of the three panels. In addition to Gonsalves and Kokkins, Jennifer Francis is seeking one of two open seats on the board. Francis, who was in Japan for work, was unable to attend.

If re-elected, this would be Gonsalves fourth term. He is currently the board’s longest serving member.

Gonsalves and Kokkins both said the board must manage growth in ways that don’t change the town’s character.

“I’m afraid Marion is slipping through our fingers,” Gonsalves said. “The only solution is sensible growth.”

Kokkins echoed the sentiment.

“We should target Route 6 for smart growth, an attractive balance of appropriately sized buildings and mixed use zoning to revitalize the area,” Kokkins said.

Finance Committee Chair Alan Minard asked how the candidates would attract those types of projects.

Gonsalves said some town bylaws were too restrictive and could be relaxed.

“It’s really hurting business,” he said, adding that a recent proposal for an expanded boatyard has been tied up for seven months due to regulations.

“It’s a perfect business for this town, and I feel like there’s a lot of hurdles that need to be looked at,” he said.

For Kokkins, part of the solution rests on streamlining the application process for businesses and residents with proposals. Also, he said attracting mixed use projects, where businesses and residences are part of the same development, would help achieve smart growth.

Kokkins said his number one goal is to support business without diminishing the town’s quality of life.

One audience member raised the subject of a proposed CVS at the corner of Front Street and Route 6. Developers of the project met heavy opposition to the plan at Planning Board meetings last year.

Both candidates said they weren’t against a new CVS store, though at 14,600 square feet the building’s size and potential traffic problems were cause for concern.

“We don’t want to see explosive growth, but we can’t have a knee-jerk reaction every time a CVS comes along,” Gonsalves said.

In the race for School Committee, three candidates are vying for two seats.

Newcomers Jessica Harris and David MacDonald are campaigning alongside Michelle Ouellette who wants to return to the board. Ouellette lost a close race last year after serving one term.

Harris, a teacher for 17 years, said she’s familiar with the issues facing schools. Her daughter attended Sippican School and her son is still a student there.

“Education has been a vital part of my life,” Harris said.

MacDonald, whose child is in the fourth grade, said if elected his extensive business background would be a good fit for the board.

“As a senior executive, I’m very skilled at problem solving,” he said. “I know you're looking for someone that will take on challenges and find solutions for the stakeholders, the students the parents and the community.”

Ouellette’s youngest child is a third grade student at the school. She said she hopes voters will send her back to the board. As a member, she said her background in education helped when it came time to negotiate teacher contracts. She has 20 years of experience as an educator and currently teaches in Acushnet.

By negotiating different terms regarding pay increases and sick time, Ouellette said budget increases were lessened.

“We helped the town in a large way financially,” she said.

In the race for Selectmen two candidates are seeking one seat. Voters will choose between incumbent Jody Dickerson and Dale Jones.

Jones was unable to attend Wednesday’s event. League of Women Voters rules don’t permit audience questions when only one candidate is present. In his opening statement Dickerson spoke about the dedication and passion he has for his hometown.

He said Marion had to prepare for change.

“If I’m fortunate enough to be re-elected, I very much want to be part of the solution and move forward,” Dickerson said.

Marion’s town election is set for Friday, May 15. Polling is at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 465 Mill St. (Route 6), from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting by absentee ballot may be done until May 14 at noon.