Candidates for two contested races were featured at Mattapoisett’s Candidates Night, with hopefuls vying for seats on the Select Board and the Board of Library Trustees sharing their views on various town issues.

Old Hammondtown School was full of citizens who would hear their remarks and get to ask questions.

“I’m surprised so many people are here. I didn’t know the Board of Library Trustees would be so popular,” joked Board of Library Trustees candidate William Coquillette to the crowd.

The event was moderated by Don Cuddy of the Sippican Lands Trust. He gave each candidate five minutes to deliver their remarks before starting on the questions.

First, the candidates for the Board of Library Trustees took to the podium. Three candidates are vying for the two open seats.

Read the full profiles on the candidates for the Board of Library Trustees here.

William Coquillette and Donald Fleming were present. Incumbent Michael Rosa is currently traveling, and was unable to attend the event.

“I’ve developed an approach to being a board member that’s practical rather than ideological,” said Coquillette. “I do my homework, listen carefully, and try to bring a consensus to board members around positions.”

Fleming expressed concern about the lack of candidates in this year’s town elections.

“This town will not survive if it does not have citizens coming out and attending the meetings and running for office,” he said.

When asked about the role of trustee, Fleming spoke of changing the way the budget is prepared.

“We’ll have to revise our efforts if we are having drastic depopulation of youth. Lots of library programs are for youth and that’ll have to change,” he said. “We have an elderly population that is growing.”

Members of the public stood up to express concerns about this position to “take from the youth and give to the elderly.”

Coquillette addressed this.

“I’m a parent too, and I think the youth program at the library is extremely important,” he said. “The library has a rich offering of programs for them and I’m in favor of that. The library serves an enormous benefit for kids, exposing them to a greater world and introducing certain habits.”

Fleming said that he did “not want to be misunderstood” and that, “I’m just saying we need to look and bring things into balance, not just cut them.”

The two also disagreed on the fundamental role of the trustee.

Coquillette said he sees the board as a guide and resource for the library employees, rather than doing the day-to-day management itself.

“I think this is where we have a difference,” said Fleming. “The duty of the trustee is to protect the library,” he said. “The trustees should set policy based on recommendations.”

After this, the two candidates for Select Board took center stage. Jordan Collyer is the incumbent and also the current chair, who has been on the board for 18 years. Donald LaMarr is a new face to Mattapoisett’s municipal government.

Read their candidate profiles here.

Collyer called his 18 years of service a “roller coaster ride.” He also said that he intends this to be his last term, and that he wants to “close some things up” and then he will “be on [his] merry way” after 21 years.

Donald LaMarr describes himself as a newcomer to politics who believes it’s time for a change.

“I promise if I’m elected, I will do my best and work hard to make sure all are treated fairly and make sure the budget is wisely spent,” he said.

When asked about their primary concerns going into the term, Collyer spoke about the school budget, which has been a source of controversy since the Finance Committee voted to not recommend it at Town Meeting, citing concerns over cost per pupil, administrative raises, and empty classrooms among the two elementary schools.

“I spoke to the superintendent Mike Nelson the other day and what has been committed to is to have an open dialogue on all sides and to find a way to build a sustainable future without having to cut or affect the quality of education,” said Collyer. “I have a daughter in second grade, I don’t want to see the quality of education change, but we have to make sure the money is going to the right place and it’s the time for that conversation.”

LaMarr said his primary concern was taking care of seniors and providing affordable housing for them. Collyer agreed.

“At the end of the day those are the two biggest issues, funding schools in a sustainable responsible way and how we encourage additional growth for affordable housing for seniors,” said Collyer.

“The price of land is beyond our control at the time, and it is a problem that we definitely have to deal with, because people who live in Mattapoisett want to stay there,” said LaMarr.

In his closing statement, LaMarr encouraged everyone to “please vote” regardless of who they would vote for.

These issues will be up for discussion for residents at town meeting on Monday, May 9. Election Day in Mattapoisett is Tuesday, May 17.