Mr. Tinsley, in his opening statement, cut to the chase. As good as Brookfield is a place to live now, the town would be even better by 2020, he said, envisioning a new village center; well-maintained parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, library and senior center; a significant pedestrian and cycling trail; well-maintained roadways; and outstanding schools. Better yet, said Mr. Tinsley, a current member of the finance board and former vice chairman of the school board, he believes all this could be achieved without an additional burden on the taxpayer.
This vision could become reality, he said, by expanding the town's commercial and industrial tax base and taking care of what Brookfield has but remains under-maintained: its roads, parks and buildings.
If elected, he said he would propose in the first month initiating the formation of a Brookfield Economic Development Corporation, as per Chapter 132 of the state statutes, and, to streamline operations, combining both the Water Pollution Control Author and Brookfield Municipal Water Company as well as the town's planning and zoning boards.
There would be "no need for on-the-job training," Mr. Tinsley said. Although he pointed out that he has corporate as well as private business and municipal service experience, he promised to serve "humbly, straightforwardly, openly and with exhaustive communication effort."
Mr. Nepomuceno, the chairman of the Board of Finance for the last eight years, who previously served on and chaired the Inland Wetlands Commission, stressed that in his many years in a leadership role he has witnessed a decline in local, state and federal revenues, which is why he maintains a cautionary stance.
"We have to be careful," he said, adding that "a delicate balance" must be maintained where spending is concerned; that it must be regarded "within the constraints of our families' affordability," including that of senior citizens.
"We cannot spend money we do not have ... cannot saddle the community with debt we would have difficulty paying off," Mr. Nepomuceno said, who pointed out that he joined the first selectman's race in order to "restore common sense" in town regarding projects and proposals.
Mr. Davidson, who formerly served as a selectman and as both chairman and longtime member of the finance board, said the current race is "not about political party, it's about community."
He said that "the town's downward spiral ... drew him back"; that there was a need to plan for its future, not continue to approach it in a piecemeal fashion.
If elected, Mr. Davidson said, he would strive to be a "competent and dynamic leader" in running the business of the town; aim for unity, referring to the town's various factions, through communication-particularly the institution of a twice-a-month "Talk to Bill" opportunity and enhanced municipal Web site.
"There is never a reason to be disagreeable," he said, acknowledging, however, that he respects the right to disagree.
In addition, the candidate said, he would address its infrastructure problems; and pursue alternative sources of revenues.
"I will investigate what every town in Connecticut does to raise alternative sources of income," he said.
On the question of how to increase economic development in town, Mr. Nepomuceno noted the town's limitations, given both the widespread economic downturn and space constraints.
"We need to focus on replacing businesses," he said, referring to the "many" vacant sites in town, "not building new ones," and "approaching" experienced people "to help."
The town's grand list declined during the reporting year that ended in September of last year.
In addition, "Start and finish what's been approved by taxpayers, then prioritize where we want to spend our dollars," Mr. Nepomuceno said.
He foresaw a problem with businesses in the Four Corners area when the Route 7 bypass is completed and said they "need to be helped in a sustainable manner" as soon as possible.
Mr. Davidson said he would "focus on infrastucture" and planning expertise.
"We don't have the capability in town hall to support commercial growth," he said and stressed the need for "someone with credentials" to help the town plan its future. He sees the need for a full-time professional manager in the land-use office and the utilization of the town's geographic informational system. "Let's build our capabilities in-house," he said.
Mr. Tinsley elaborated on what his proposed Economic Development Corp. could do, such as borrowing and loaning money, possibly buying and selling real estate, and the town's utilizing the right of eminent domain.
The town's commercial-industrial tax base is in the millions, he said, but should be in the billions.
"Why don't people invest in Brookfield? Because we don't invest in ourselves," Mr. Tinsley said.
Mr. Davidson disagreed with Mr. Tinsley regarding eminent domain and said he also had "different views" about how Federal Road would be developed, saying that although it is zoned commercial-industrial he would favor "mixed use" there but acknowledging "traffic is a problem." As for the Four Corners, he said, the town would be "hoping for a miracle there."
The three candidates all stressed the need to address the sorry state of the town's roads. Mr. Davidson favors bonding in order to restore them, saying that the town has "great bond credit." It has had a coveted AA2 bond rating since 1997.
Mr. Tinsley said he would not increase the town's debt service but budget better for road repairs and invest more in its parks.
Mr. Nepomuceno said that he differed with both viewpoints regarding the town's debt service.
"We all have a vision of where Brookfield is going, but we have to be realistic," he said, pointing out that where recreational facilities are concerned, the community could get more involved. For example, he said, the restoration of Kids Kingdom could be undertaken through donations and volunteerism.
He has distributed a news release indicating that he would form a committee upon taking office to rebuild Kids Kingdom.
Mr. David-son said he and Mr. Tinsley "reasonably agree" on roads and were "close" regarding recreational facilities, and they all appreciated the importance of volunteerism.
In rebuttal, Mr. Tinsley said he and Mr. Nepomuceno have a markedly different opinion of debt service.
"We borrow conservatively in Brookfield," he said.
Mr. Nepom-uceno countered, "When I put numbers out, they are real numbers."
On the issue of extending the town's water service along Federal Road, Mr. Tinsley said the town's water system has been developed "in hodgepodge fashion."
"Are we getting closer? You bet. ... but we're not investing in infrastructure that's our business, whether we like it or not, we must," Mr. Tinsley said, agreeing with Mr. Davidson that the town is lacking a real plan.
Mr. Nepomuceno said service needed to be provided in the southern portion to help develop the town's commercial base and provide water protection as well as ensure that the residents of two condo developments in the area get water for drinking as well as fire suppression.
Mr. Davidson said the issue boils down to planning one more time. "There is no master plan for water" or other important things, he said.
Two interest groups in town are working to make the town's building a new library and recreational center a reality.
Mr. Nepomuceno stressed the need for completing current projects first. He said he didn't see the library project's happening in the next few years and stressed improving its current recreational facilities.
Mr. Davidson said that if undertaken as a private and public cooperative venture he could see the library project happening in about three years or more. His priorities would be to fix the recreational facilities, fix the roads, get a new library; and then undertake the recreational center project.
Mr. Tinsley said the town needs to fix what it has first. He said the library project could be addressed in perhaps 10 years' time but its current recreational facilities should be improved immediately.
He added that what's important is to remember that in the New England style of local governance, "the people decide on the quality of life we want."
Mr. Tinsley said "it would be nice to have a first selectman advocate for something. ... The town deserves to have a first selectman put a plan in front of you that he believes in himself."
In their closing statements, all three candidates stressed that they have the ability to lead.
Mr. Nepomuceno pointed out the need to be able to fulfill one's promises.
"I believe in doing what you say you can do," he said.
The 55-minute debate is airing on local Channel 17 daily.
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