MIDDLEBORO — With only three full days before the election, candidates in the town’s three contested races made a final pitch to voters at a forum Tuesday, March 28 at Oak Point.

Select board candidates Nathan Demers, Mark Germain and Thomas White and School Committee contenders Jessica Chartoff, Allin Frawley and Eric Machado, who are vying for two full terms on the board, and Christopher Benson, a candidate to fill an unexpired term, addressed the audience at the clubhouse of the housing complex.

Nicholas O’Roak, who is also contending for the unexpired seat, had a prior commitment and was not in attendance. 

In his opening statement, incumbent Demers cited the board’s accomplishments during his tenure, including helping to ensure that, despite precinct changes due to census results, that Oak Point residents could still vote where they live. An original proposal would have required half the residents to cast ballots elsewhere.

Germain, the current select board chair, said he takes pride in “addressing every issue, big and small.’’ He said that when Oak Point residents submitted a list to the board citing 63 issues of concerns, he helped to resolve many of them. He said he takes the position and the service required seriously. 

White, the challenger, cited his experience in community efforts and desire to serve. He said he felt somewhat uncomfortable about answering how he would serve Oak Point residents specifically. If elected, he said, “I will be there for every resident.’’ 

Chartoff said in her job as a software designer, she works “to create the best solution possible,’’ something she will bring to the committee.’ In a post-pandemic era, “students are struggling more than ever before’’ socially, academically and mentally, she said. Offering the most support possible to both students and educators is “one of the biggest challenges.’’

Frawley, who previously served on the select board, among numerous other committees, said he is running “not because I have an issue or problem’’ with the schools but “to make a positive contribution.’’ The relatively new high school needs to be maintained, he said, and the other, older schools “need a little more attention’’ as they age.’

Machado said that as a newcomer to town politics, he brings “a fresh set of eyes’’ as both a parent and taxpayer. He said he hopes to “foster better communication between parents and the district’’ because that leads to transparency which fosters trust, he said. 

Benson said this is a time of change in the schools, with a new superintendent, three new incoming School Committee members and a new, post-Covid period. “As an educator and a parent, I see the changes firsthand and how it affects students in the classroom.’’ He said he has an obligation to students, who “deserve equitable opportunities,’’ families, who need to be assured their children are safe at school and they “have a voice’’ and to residents and taxpayers, to ensure their money is spent wisely. 

Election Day is Saturday, April 1. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.