NORTH ATTLEBORO - Three of the four candidates for treasurer-collector and two of the three candidates for park commission in Monday's preliminary election faced off at a forum Monday night.

Paul Pinsonnault, assistant treasurer-collector the past five years, worked in the assessor's office for 17 years, and previous to that worked in the private sector for 30 years.

A former finance committee member, Michael Thompson cited his experience running three companies. He advocates for a financial plan and pledged to promote openness of the position and town finances to residents.

Diana Asanza, who works for Norton in a similar position and had previously worked in North Attleboro, also stressed her background.

The candidates supported offering online bill payment for the convenience of residents and businesses. As for whether the position should become appointed, Pinsonnault and Asanza said that would ensure a qualified person, but the former acknowledged voters have elected such candidates. Thompson said appointed would mean voters "lose part of their voice."

The fourth candidate, Stephen Dalrymple, the town moderator, wasn't able to attend.

Incumbent Bill Moffitt is stepping down with two years left in his term. The top two winners on Monday will run in the April 3 town election.

Incumbent Roger Horton and former Plainville park commissioner Kevin Malin are running for park commission along with David Gaboury. Gaboury declined to attend the forum.

Horton has been on the commission for 13 years, including eight as chairman. Malin served two years on Plainville's commission.

The two candidates said they backed lights for Little Mason Field, mentioning the heavy demand for field use and fundraising as a possible revenue source.

Horton, who is on the Town Forest Committee, said he would like to push for fields on part of Town Forest, noting that area of town lacks fields.

"I have a lot of ideas," Malin said, mentioning fundraising events and raffles.

Both candidates were not ready to embrace artificial grass fields.

While Horton said he thought it was a good idea for the recreation department to turn the World War II Memorial Pool over to the parks commission, Malin warned a pool can be costly and hard work to oversee. Horton admitted a lot of work needs to be done to the pool.