MATTAPOISETT  — Three candidates are running for two seats on the Board of Library Trustees. 

William Coquillette, Donald Fleming and incumbent Michael Rosa have thrown their hats in the ring for the positions. Here is a look at all three candidates.

Coquillette said the library serves an important purpose for the entire town.

“It’s a connection to the larger world. It enriches the community to have a nice library like that.’’

He described the library as “a community center of sorts.’’

He serves on the board of the library trust, a separate, non-profit organization that funds specific library programs.

He also sat on the search committee that hired current library director Jennifer Jones.

“I’m in favor of continuing to invest in the library,’’ he said. 

A retired attorney, Coquillette has served on the boards of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path and The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society.

With this experience, “I thought I could contribute.’’ 

Fleming, 87, an attorney in Plymouth, has served the town for 44 years in various posts, including Town Moderator, Town Counsel, assessor and as a member of two building committees. 

He said he is disappointed with the lack of public participation in government. He wanted to be involved because “the town is not going to govern itself.’’

He also expressed concern with what he called the lack of “decisive answers’’ on issues the town is facing, including decreasing student enrollments, which he said have “ramifications across the board.’’

These issues have a direct impact on the role of a library trustee, he noted, because the library serves both children and the overall town population. He hopes to sift through “all the confusion about where the town is going.’’ 

Incumbent Michael Rosa has served on the board for three years and serves as its treasurer.

During that time, he said, because of investments and donations, the library’s assets have grown by more than 60 percent. As a result, he said, the library made “many improvements’ in both aesthetics and programming.

He said he is pleased that the library, under director Jennifer Jones and staff, has come out of a difficult time to continue to provide solid service to the town.

His community involvement includes volunteering with Little League and membership on the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee.

He said he is “proud to have served on the Board of Trustees and look forward to continuing our work for the benefit of our citizens.’’