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NORTH ATTLEBORO - Town officials are expecting about 15 percent of the town's registered voters to cast ballots in Tuesday's annual election.

If the prediction comes true, that means roughly 16,000 of the town's nearly 19,000 voters won't bother going to the polls, despite races that will decide the community's top office and the lingering issue of water fluoridation.

All precincts vote at North Attleboro High School on Landry Avenue, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

With eight contested races, voters have plenty of choices when they reach the ballot box.

With Selectman James Wood opting not to run for re-election, voters will decide whether to elect Paul Belham, a local businessman with experience on several town boards or Mark Williamson, a human resource director who formerly worked for the town. Perhaps the most watched contest is the board of health race - which will have an impact on whether the board's fluoridation litigation will continue. Incumbent Diane Battistello, a fluoridation opponent who launched the lawsuit in order to halt fluoridation faces challenger John Donohue, a fluoridation supporter who has vowed to end the litigation if elected.

Another contest expected to be close is the race for collector/treasurer between Norton's interim collector/treasurer Diana Asanza and North Attleboro's Assistant Treasurer Paul Pinsonnault.

Meanwhile there are several races that will have an effect on the town's planning for future development.

Incumbents Raymond Payson and Donald Cerrone face a challenge from former planning board member Richard Thimot for a three-year planning board seat. Incumbent Christopher Sweet will face former planning board member Daniel Ricci for a one-year term on the board.

In addition, the board of public works will be getting a new member with Michael Thompson deciding not to run for re-election. Gary Porter, a representative town meeting member and Constant Poholek Jr., a former planning board member, are both seeking the three-year seat.

Finally, there are two contested races on the park commission. Incumbent Roger Horton and David Gaboury are vying for a three-year term while incumbent Mitchell MacDonald and Scott LaFond vying for a two-year term.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.