With a four-way race for two seats on the Board of Selectmen heating up, candidates took to the airwaves Friday night for a debate hosted by Wareham Community Television.

Selectman and current Chair Patrick Tropeano is running for re-election while John Ferranti, Michael Frates and Anthony Scarsciotti are all hoping to join the board for the first time.

The 90-minute debate aired live on WCTV and featured questions submitted by residents and Wareham Week reporter Zarrin Tasnim Ahmed and Wareham Courier reporter Chris Schott. Ahmed and Schott posed the questions to the candidates who each had an opportunity to respond.

Select questions and the candidates’ responses follow.

What specific type of businesses are you interested in helping to bring to Wareham?

Tropeano said between the new Wal Mart, TownPlace Suites hotel and a medical center opening, it appears businesses are taking notice of Wareham. He said a number of national, “big box” chains employ many in town, but it’s time to diversify.

“I’d like to see upper manufacturing and electronic businesses open in the overlay district,” he said. “Something more upscale. That was the goal in 2003 when the overlay district was created…Everything we can do in that regard will save us because, financially, without these new revenue sources we’re going to be in trouble soon.”

Ferranti echoed that sentiment, saying the town should strive to bring in larger businesses, such as ones that cater to the textile or garment industry. Outdoor retail stores should be on that list as well, he said.

“I’d like to see more merchants like a Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s,” Ferranti said. “This area is big for fishermen and outdoorsmen. I think a business like that would really help the area.”

Frates said attracting companies that offer full-time jobs with livable wages would be his priority, if elected. He said with his union background, companies that offer employees less than 40 hours to save money hurt the town’s economy overall.

“The jobs that I want to see come here are those that will give back to our community in some way,” Frates said.

Scarsciotti agreed with his fellow candidates, saying manufacturing jobs would be ideal for the tax base. He added that the train stop was an underutilized asset.

“Rather than have people get on the train, and leave town, and go to work, we need to get people down here to work,” he said. “We need to develop a way to do that.”

How important is the quality of the school system to growing the town’s tax base?

Tax issues aside, Tropeano said properly funding the schools is “paramount” for the town’s children.

“It’s pretty important. There’s so much controversy about all this,” said Tropeano. “When it comes down it, isn’t this the most important thing?”

Ferranti agreed. “Improving the school system to grow the town’s tax base is huge,” he said. “With a better school system more people would move here.”

Frates offered a lengthy answer that touched on the schools losing their level 1 status, School Choice siphoning away dollars and the importance of early education. He said one way to bring in more families would be to offer tax breaks for homeowners.

“I have a lot of ideas to increase revenue. It’s not all business for me,” he said. “The quality of the schools is exceptionally important,” he said.

Scarsciotti said good schools definitely grow the tax base and should be a priority.

“The quality of the school, that’s what brings younger families here. We need to work on the quality of the school system and help the kids progress. It’s not just about keeping them moving through grades. I’d rather see them be held back when necessary and graduate better off than worse off,” he said.

Eighteen months have passed since the Wareham Free Library lost its certification. As a member of the Board of Selectmen, what would you do to help the library regain certification?

Tropeano said efforts to overturn the decision at the state level have so far “fallen on deaf ears.”

“I think they should get accreditation back immediately if not sooner,” he said, adding that at the very least it will be certified in three years due to state law. Tropeano said in the past the town made an effort to fund the library to the tune of $600,000, but that figure has fallen.

In the meantime, Tropeano said staff and volunteers have made a tremendous effort to keep the doors open through fundraising efforts.

Scarsciotti started his answer by noting he’s worked with library staff in the past, specifically on the literacy program. For him, re-certification starts on Beacon Hill.

“We need to go up to Boston and petition them to get the library certified,” he said. “I don’t think it should have ever been taken away from them, it was not the right thing to. If I have to, I’ll go to Boston.”

Ferranti said, “It’s a sin the library lost its certification. As a Selectman, I would work along with the proper officials to help get it re-certified to get back its state funding.”

For Frates, the loss of certification was “inexcusable.”

“The library is a very valuable resource…We don’t have a certified library and Michael Frates is not going to agree to any budget that doesn’t include the certification of our library. It is an embarrassment,” he said.

The town election will be held Tuesday, April 5. Visit the town website to find out where to cast your ballot.