Candidates for first selectman are incumbent Democrat Paul Hinckley and Republican Gerald 'Jerry' Stomski. Candidates for the selectmen positions are incumbent Democrat George Hale and Republican Barbara Perkinson.

Questions were compiled from members of the business community and the audience.

The municipal election will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, at the Senior Community Center, 265 Main St. South.

The candidates spoke on possible measures to increase economic development and attract and keep new businesses in town.

Mr. Hinckley said that his administration formed the Economic Development Committee, with the goal of finding ways to increase economic development.

The committee recently sought and received approval for signs that designate the town as part of the Connecticut Antiques Trail.

"Getting it [economic development] accomplished is not easy," said Mr. Hinckley. "You've got to have a plan."

He suggested creating an ombudsman position in the land use office to facilitate the new business process.

Mr. Stomski said the administration should reach out to the business community and host a forum once a month.

"If they don't come to you, come to them," he said. "I think it's our obligation as the administration to help find new businesses to fill those spots. Until we get a hold of the land use office, it's hard to get economic development in."

Regarding how to make government more user-friendly, Mr. Stomski said that one of the problems he and Mrs. Perkinson identified in town is that the land use boards rely more on the land use office for regulation interpretation.

He said state statute puts the responsibility of interpreting regulations with the land use boards. He noted the importance of educating new commissioners.

Mr. Hinckley said one of his platform issues from 2007 was to provide educational opportunities for municipal employees.

"The most important thing that a municipal government can do is customer service," said Mr. Hinckley. "Our customers are the taxpayers in town."

A partnership was formed between the Council of Governments and Naugatuck Valley Community College to offer courses to town employees, including classes on customer service, he said.

The candidates discussed their top priorities. The three priorities of Mr. Stomski and Mrs. Perkinson's platform are empowering the land use boards to interpret regulations, planning for recreational facilities and introducing true economic development to the town.

Mr. Stomski said he would like to rearrange the maintenance and management of recreational facilities in town and serve as oversight. He said his background in soil science is beneficial.

Mr. Hinckley and Mr. Hale's priorities are increasing the efficiency of town operations, pursuing more opportunities for open space and promoting energy efficiency and conservation in town.

Mr. Hinckley said he feels this year's budget process will be difficult and he does not think a reduction from last year's budget is likely.

"We're going to try and hold the line," he said.

A central purchasing plan for products used in municipal offices, such as paper, has resulted in a 25 to 28 percent savings, said Mr. Hinckley.

Ways to cut costs also included approaching department heads and asking them to strive for a 10 percent reduction in their department budgets, he said.

Mr. Stomski said using the talents of boards and commissions already in place is a cost-saving measure. He said that if the Public Building Commission had been used earlier in the Historic Town Hall renovation process, money could have been saved.

The candidates shared opinions on traffic control and congestion on Main Street. Mr. Hale said the reason why cars go fast on Main Street is because people speed, and the selectmen would love it if people obeyed the speed limits in town.

"To reduce [vehicle] traffic, I'd like to increase pedestrian traffic," said Mr. Hale.

More pedestrian traffic would hopefully mean fewer cars on the road. If there were more pedestrians using crosswalks, cars would have to slow down by state law, he said.

"The best thing to do is educate our young drivers and really lead by example," said Mr. Hale.

Mrs. Perkinson said she has adjusted because of traffic on Main Street - on Saturdays, she conducts all her errands on one side of Main Street, then turns around and goes back the other way.

She said that at Route 6 and 64, there are two lanes coming into town that merge into one.

"I would like to see the right lane entrance be a right-turn only," said Mrs. Perkinson. "I believe we can do more with the state to try and curb traffic."

Overall, Mr. Hale and Mrs. Perkinson agreed that retaining the town's quality of life is of utmost importance. Mr. Hale said he and the Board of Selectmen are sensitive to the needs of people in town who need help.

One way to retain the town's quality of life is to help out people in need who want to stay in town but are struggling - Mr. Hale gave the example of seeking tax relief for seniors and others in need.

Mrs. Perkinson said quality of life encompasses a number of areas - children, recreation, economics and the business industry.

"We need to get the land use office and the application process straightened out so more businesses will come into town," she said. "We want businesses to flourish and that will give us an excellent quality of life."

Regarding open space, Mr. Hinckley said he is proud of the town's acquisition of a conservation restriction over the Fleming Preserve property for open space purposes.

Mr. Hinckley said he has opened the lines of communication with the United Water Company regarding the town's interest in purchasing the United Water Company property on Scuppo and Sherman Hill Roads, commonly known as the Reservoir and Trolley Bed property.

The candidates spoke on green energy and what is viable for the town, such as wind turbines and solar paneling.

Mrs. Perkinson said she is the present vice-chair on the Zoning Commission and regulation revisions are currently underway.

She said green energy avenues are included in the regulations and she is in favor of them, as long as they follow the regulations.

Mr. Hale said the Energy Committee in town is a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission and has been working hard to identify measures that are environmentally friendly and economical.

The Board of Selectmen accepted an energy plan worked on by members of the Energy Committee that provides actions for identifying the best way the town can use the money Woodbury is eligible to receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

On the town's infrastructure needs, Mr. Stomski said the administration should look at the needs of each department.

Mr. Hinckley said his administration began looking at infrastructure needs two years ago and developed a capital plan of improvements.

Regarding commercial real estate for sale or rent in town, Mr. Hinckley said he does not know what the Board of Selectmen can do to fill up empty spaces in town.

"I don't know how to bring more business in," he said, "and I think it requires more than the first selectman looking at it. That's why we have the [Economic Development] Committee under George."

Mr. Stomski said thinking outside the box is beneficial. He suggested contacting people who hold properties and asking what kind of businesses they want to bring to town.

The candidates addressed how well the town is prepared for catastrophic events. Mr. Hinckley said Randy Ashmore, the town's emergency director, does a great job with preparations in case of disaster.

He said the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition is working on drought preparations.

Mr. Stomski said he felt that Nonnewaug High School should be equipped with a generator.

In closing comments, Mr. Stomski said he and Mrs. Perkinson made a dynamic team.

"With my plant background, I have a knowledge of the importance of open space," he said. "I understand the challenges we face and the ones we'll be facing in the future."

Mr. Hinckley said he and Mr. Hale have a team that has already been positive for the town.

"We've got a proven record, experience and leadership skills," he said.