Salem — While they disagree on their approach, both first selectman candidates this year agree that the state budget and its impact on the town will be their top priority for the upcoming term.

Incumbent Kevin Lyden, who is unaffiliated, is seeking his fifth term as first selectman. He is running as a petitioning candidate this year against Democrat challenger Sue Spang, who was endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee. The Republican Town Committee declined to nominate a candidate for the seat, citing minority representation rules.

The two candidates faced off in a debate in front of a nearly packed room at Salem School on Thursday. They answered questions about how they'd run the town in the face of potentially devastating cuts to state funding, balancing development with recreational space and what kind of businesses they'd like to see come into town.

Both at the debate and in an interview Wednesday, Lyden said his business background is an asset in running Salem. He compared the first selectman position to being the CEO of the town.

"A lot of people say you can't run a municipality like a business," he said. "I disagree; I think you must."

Just like a business, the town has to be customer-oriented to meet the needs of the taxpayers while maintaining fiscal responsibility, he said.

Lyden said the town is in relatively good financial shape, with no bonding projects coming up and a healthy unassigned fund balance. However, the current budgetary uncertainty is worse than even a budget with significant cuts, since the town can make arrangements to account for the latter.

Spang said one of her primary campaign issues is to have a more transparent decision process in the Board of Selectmen. She said she feels residents aren't as involved in decisions as they could be, and by letting them see the board "make the sausage," they might be more inclined to volunteer and contribute new ideas that could benefit the town.

Lyden gave the Board of Finance a lot of credit for its work to produce a fair budget that accounted for slated cuts in state funding, as well as the Economic Development Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission for looking for ways to welcome new businesses into town to boost the tax base and offset some of the cuts.

Spang also identified development as a priority. While Salem wouldn't be an ideal location for a large box store, due to its rural character and lack of public water and sewer, small businesses like a grocery store, tack shop or dry cleaner would be a good fit.

"I would like to see businesses in Salem that are more service-oriented, things that would make it easier for the townspeople instead of having to drive out of town for groceries, clothing, gift shops, those kinds of things," she said.

She also noted the need for affordable housing in town. The EDC and Planning and Zoning have been reviewing regulations specific to age-restricted housing to target the town's aging population, but she said families also would benefit from more affordable housing options as they move to Salem to put their children into Salem School. Once the children graduate, parents would then be able to volunteer for boards and commissions in town.

Lyden said he has continued to receive support from voters of all affiliations and would work for the benefit of all residents.

Spang said she wants to give voters a new choice and get some new voices and ideas into Salem's leadership.

a.hutchinson@theday.com