Norwich — The Day will host a 90-minute Norwich mayoral debate starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kelly Middle School with the five candidates vying for the seat being vacated by Democrat Deberey Hinchey.

The debate will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The race is among Democrat Derell Wilson, Republican Peter Nystrom, Libertarian William Russell and petitioning candidates Jon Oldfield and Joseph Radecki, Jr. Only Nystrom has served in elected offices, with a long record of positions in Norwich and as a state representative.

Questions will be posed by debate moderator Paul Choiniere, editorial page editor at The Day. Volunteers from the League of Women Voters will assist as timekeepers.

There will be no opening statements. The order of questions and corresponding order of seating will be will be determined by a draw of lots. A second drawing will determine the order of final comments.

Audience members will be given the chance to submit questions on index cards. A sampling of these questions will be asked as time permits.

Each candidate will get a chance to answer the questions with a one-minute response time. Candidates will have the opportunity to make a 30-second rebuttal response. The questioner has the discretion to select a candidate or candidates to clarify a point or respond to something another candidate said, within the 30-second limit.

All candidates, by indicating they have something to add, will have the opportunity to make the 30-second response.

The audience will be asked to refrain from applauding specific candidates or responses to ensure the candidates receive the full time to answer questions and make comments.

c.bessette@theday.com