NORTH ATTLEBORO -- And then there were six.

Two of the eight candidates for the town administrator's job withdrew on Monday, on the day they were sched uled for televised interviews with the board of selectmen.

Craig Kleman notified the town's human resources department Mon day morning that he wanted to with draw but did not provide a reason.

A second candidate, David DeManche, called later on Monday to withdraw, saying that he recently purchased a house and would be unable to comply with the job's resi dency requirement.

The stipulation that the new town administrator move to North Attle boro within a year of being appointed to the job was included in advertise ments for the job. Three of the six remaining candi dates -- Daniel Baker, Joseph Ponte and Kenneth Nies -- will be inter viewed tonight and the three others -- Warren Sproul, Jamie Magnani and interim Town Administrator Mark Fisher -- will be interviewed on March 20.

The withdrawal on the day of the interview is reminiscent of the first search, when one of the two finalists withdrew on the day of her interview. At that time, Cathryn Thomas, town supervisor of Webster, N.Y., with drew after learning that the resume of the other finalist, Fisher, listed two selectmen as references -- Bill Mof fitt and Marjorie Kraskouskas.

Although Fisher was the lone finalist in the first round and had support from a majority of the board, he did not receive the required four votes needed to be appointed.

At that time, Selectmen David Chee and James Wood said he was not qualified for the job under the town's bylaws.

Selectmen started the search anew and asked all nine applicants to agree to televised interviews for the post.

One candidate declined to come in for an interview and now two more have withdrawn, leaving six candi dates for the job.