MARION  _ Voter apathy did not show up at candidates night Friday night in Marion.

The Music Hall was packed and extra seats had to be set up to accommodate the audience interested in hearing from candidates on the ballot at next Friday’s town election.

Both candidates vying for Select Board and three of the four Planning Board hopefuls took questions from moderator Jim Bride, executive director of Sippican Lands Trust, and audience members.

Dr. Ed Hoffer and Carleton “Toby” Burr are running for the seat being vacated by John Waterman.

“We’re in a bind and I want to help,’’ Burr said in explaining why he was running. “I want to help keep Marion affordable so people can stay here.’’

The town, he said, is in “financial trouble. Many people in town feel financially stressed.’’ 

“We have to make sure every penny we spend is well spent,’’ Burr said. “Every bylaw, every development, all issues have to be viewed through a financial lens.’’

Hoffer pointed out that “the select board does not have a magic wand and is not allowed to print money.’’ Instead, he said, broadening the tax base would help, he said. 

He also encouraged the hiring of a part-time grant writer to seek out funding opportunities. 

Town department budgets should not be automatically granted a certain increase each year, he said, but should be viewed carefully for true needs. 

“Whatever we do has to be kept within our means,’’ he said.

Several audience members asked whether Tabor Academy is paying its fair share.

Burr described Tabor as “an essential part of Marion. For many people outside of Marion, Tabor Academy is Marion.’’

But the relationship should be “mutually beneficial,’’ he said. Simply asking for help _ for example, whether the ice rink could be used by local hockey teams _ could elicit a favorable response, he said.

Hoffer said that Tabor is an asset to the town but also “a significant drain on resources.’’ He estimated the cost of educating children of Tabor staff at about half a million dollars a year, while the academy itself pays no taxes.

A meeting he had with new headmaster Anthony Jaccaci went well, he said. “I do think he is open to providing financial support where he can. He clearly wants a good town-gown relationship.’’

One of Hoffer’s goals is to ensure an adequate supply of smaller homes and condos to allow seniors to downsize and remain in town. He also supports plans that would allow seniors to take steps to make their homes safer.

He also supported more public involvement, both by sending out more communications to residents , including a monthly newsletter, and by encouraging community members to share their ideas.

“There's a lot of untapped talent in town,’’ he said. “We need your input and welcome a diversity of ideas.’’

A resident asked the two men, who expressed similar views on many issues, how they differed.

Burr said he had lived in town “a lot longer’’ than Hoffer and raised his family in town. As owner of Burr Brothers Boats, he cited his  experience both in running a business and in having to deal with town boards to receive permits and other administrative issues. He also served for 30 years on the Marine Resources Commission. 

Hoffer, a cardiologist who now works part-time, acknowledged that as a 24-year resident he has lived fewer years in town than Burr. But he countered that he has a broader range of experience. He has served on the Board of Health, including during covid, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Council on Aging and in emergency planning. 

Planning Board hopefuls Tucker Burr, Andrew Daniel and W. Dale Jones spoke of the importance of attracting business to town. 

Candidate Barrett Levenson was unable to attend the event.

The four candidates are seeking the two seats held by Joe Rocha and William Saltonstall, who are not seeking reelection.

All three in attendance acknowledged the town needs to improve its image as difficult for business to work with. 

“We need more business to help relieve the tax burden,’’ Andrew Daniel said. Businesses have come in and “met with a lot of fight,’’ he said.

The board should “try to make the process shorter and more concise’’ between applications and approval of potential businesses, he said.

“It’s time for us but it’s money for them,’’ he said of these delays.

Burr noted that, at a recent Planning Board meeting, a request for Uncle Jon’s Coffee to increase its patio space was met by a call for a site plan review, a further step in the approval process. 

He questioned whether that was needed for what he described as a relatively small change. 

The board, he said, should review “how we dictate what gets a site plan review.’’ 

Jones said he would reach out personally in an effort to change the anti-business perception. 

“If I have to go face to face to convince them, I’ll be glad to do it,’’ he said.

“I will do everything in my power,’’ he said. “We have to be proactive.’’