Last modified: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 1:05 AM EDT In North Attleboro, selectmen speak bluntly over issues By AMY DeMELIA / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - Board of selectmen candidates challenged each other on a number of thorny issues during their final debate on Monday. Incumbents Marjorie Kraskouskas and William Moffitt and challengers Michael Thompson and Mark Williamson, both finance committee members, had a chance to ask each other questions during a live debate hosted by North TV. The debate will air periodically on channel 98 before the April 1 election when voters will elect two of the four to the board of selectmen. Williamson asked Kraskouskas, both of whom work in human resources, about her decision to let Town Administrator Mark Fisher use her name as a reference on his resume. Kraskouskas and Moffitt were listed as references on Fisher’s resume when he applied for the job as acting town administrator. Kraskouskas said she takes full responsibility for the decision. "When one selects candidates, it goes to the person who is most qualified and does the best job. I was a reference when he became acting town administrator, not when he put in for the full-time job," she said. "I am amazed that Mark Fisher could be number 1 of 29 candidates in Avon and we’re still criticized for selecting him here." She also highlighted the need for the Early Learning Center addition and more programs and senior housing during the debate. Thompson was asked by Williamson to explain why he was "shocked" about the selectmen’s decision to revert to a single tax rate, noting that Thompson had voted in favor of a single tax rate himself. "What’s changed is the geography of the Town of North Attleboro," Thompson said. "The tax rate at the time was miniscule. This time, it was a huge burden to the taxpayers and homeowners of the town." Thompson also highlighted his financial background, saying that the town went through tough economic times before and still managed to build a new middle school and put an addition on Martin School. Moffitt was asked by Williamson about his views on reducing the size of the town’s legislature from its current level of 144 members. "As I see it, we can either keep it around 126 members or we can go to a very small number. I don’t like the middle range of 80 to 90 members because of the role that town employees would be playing. With a very small number, everyone will know who is running," he said. Moffitt said he has the time and experience needed to help the town through tough issues, highlighting his "level-headed approach." Moffitt said Williamson’s detractors had noted that he was a nice guy that seemed unable to give specifics in his campaign. Williamson was then asked for specifics about how the town can contain costs and seek additional revenue for the town. "I’m not a sitting member of the board so if I don’t have specifics it’s because I don’t have the information to review," Williamson said, adding that trimming the budget line by line, sharing of resources, using student volunteers to seek grants and advocating for changes to state revenue formulas would help with the budget’s bottom line. Moffitt said the town is already keeping a close eye on the budget and communicating with state legislators. "I’m not hearing a whole lot about what we can do for revenue enhancement and cost containment," he said. Williamson highlighted his fresh perspective during the debate and said he will remain "approachable, committed and trustworthy" if elected to the board.