Candidates discuss key questions facing the town.

Byline: Karen Nugent

CLINTON - The five candidates running for two three-year seats on the Board of Selectmen in Monday's

town election took center stage before a handful of residents at Town Hall last night for a candidates' forum sponsored by the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce and the Clinton-based Item and Times and Courier newspapers.

Nine prepared questions were posed to incumbents Joseph P. Notaro Jr. and Robert V. Pasquale Jr. and challengers James J. LeBlanc; Steven Mendoza, a former selectman; and Kathleen A. Sheridan.

They discussed their strengths:

Mr. LeBlanc: "I have attended every Board of Selectmen's meeting since the beginning of the year. So when the issues come up, I can easily make the transition."

Mrs. Sheridan: "I will bring honesty and open, civil discussion. I have no hidden agenda."

Mr. Mendoza: "I listen, I'm objective, and I'm a team player."

They were asked about recent contentious board meetings and negative relationships with other town boards and neighboring communities:

Mr. Notaro: "It's not true. I believe everyone who comes before the board is treated with respect and dignity."

Mrs. Sheridan: "You need to sit back, listen, and you need to pause. Then you need to compromise and respect the parties, and you work from there."

Mr. LeBlanc: "I tend to have a very flat affect. My background is in accounting and finance, so I have no emotions."

Mr. Pasquale: "As the chairman of a meeting, you might have to raise your voice a little bit, or bang the gavel. There are serious issues that come to light, and it's not an easy role."

Mr. Mendoza: "Everyone who takes the time to show up at those meetings deserves to be heard."

They were asked about the future of the 62-acre Rauscher Farm, which voters approved for town purchase for open space via a $2.7 million debt exclusion last year:

Mr. Mendoza: "It has to have uses that everybody can enjoy."

Mr. Pasquale: "We should keep a close eye on the overall management and form a land trust committee."

Another question concerned a new senior center, also approved last year, as a $1.4 million debt exclusion:

Mrs. Sheridan: "Whatever they need, we should give them."

Mr. Notaro: "They should not be in a storefront down on High Street."

The candidates were also asked about the controversial longtime town rifle range in Lancaster, which was closed by the Lancaster building inspector last year for zoning violations. A special permit to reopen it is pending before the Lancaster Zoning Board:

Mr. Notaro: "It was a rifle range for 80 years, and it should stay one, with rules and regulations. Let's face it, it's sandwiched between an old dump and an MWRA landfill. Its use as a rifle range is a good use."

Mr. LeBlanc (who lives in the neighborhood): "I want to make it clear, I own guns. But I am opposed to not upholding the will of the people, who, at a 1998 town meeting, voted against it. I am not in favor of continuing to build and foster bad feelings in Lancaster."

Another question concerned redevelopment of old mills and factories:

Mr. Pasquale: "Our downfall is accessibility. We are not close to major highways."

Mr. Notaro: "We should look at how Maynard redeveloped the old DEC (Digital Equipment Corp.) mill. There is no more heavy manufacturing - that's all in China now. We need a mix of retail, services and office space."

Mrs. Sheridan: "It's a complex issue. There is no investment money right now. With one building (the former Rockbestos cable factory) torn down, Sterling Street looks like a disaster area."

NAME: CLINTON SELECTMEN