East Lyme — Candidates for first selectman debated Tuesday on the Gateway Commons development, the renovation of the town’s elementary schools, and the police department, among other issues.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson, a Republican, and Steve Carpenteri, a Democratic Board of Finance member, discussed a wide range of topics during an hour-long debate hosted by The Day and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, at East Lyme High School.

Many questions on Tuesday centered on Gateway Commons, a planned residential and commercial village.

Both candidates said they believed the developers are committed to completing the commercial phase of the project and improving Interstate 95 Exit 74 and Flanders Road.

Nickerson said the town's need for more tenant housing is one of the reasons he spoke to the Zoning Commission in favor of approving an additional 120 apartments at Gateway. He said college graduates can't afford to move back to town.

"Our sons and daughters can't live here," he said.

He also said the town's elementary school enrollment is declining, so if the apartments bring some more schoolchildren, it doesn't mean additional schools.

Carpenteri said he thinks the town has had a "very large growth spurt."

"I think it's time that we paid attention, finish what's going on, and then think about where we're going and what else we need for development," he said.

Both candidates also expressed support for the safety improvements the project would bring.

Carpenteri said he would work with the state Department of Transportation to ensure improvements — such as widening Flanders Road to six lanes — are completed.

Nickerson called I-95 "a death trap between Old Lyme and East Lyme" and said he has asked state police to start patrolling it better.

He also said the state has committed to invest in the project, including improvements to the Exit 74 on- and off-ramps.  

The candidates also tackled a project that could go to referendum later to renovate Niantic Center School, rebuild Flanders Elementary School and give Lillie B. Haynes School to the town.

They disagreed on the selectmen's recent vote to commission a $9,000 study on uses for Lillie B. Haynes.

Nickerson said the study came at a reduced cost and would help with planning the town's infrastructure needs. 

Carpenteri said the study should have been initiated later, once the plans to give Lillie B. Haynes to the town were officially approved.

Nickerson said the schools renovation project will mean a higher tax rate, but property values will also rise with the investment in schools.

"What happens if we don't invest?" asked Nickerson. "What happens if we're the community 10 or 20 years from now that never built those schools?"  

Carpenteri also said, later in the debate, that the project is expensive but needs to be done.

"It needs to be done correctly, so the kids have a beautiful facility to keep learning," he said. "And it's good economics for this town. That's why people come here."

Both discussed how revenue expected to be generated from Gateway Commons could help offset costs from the renovation project. 

Nickerson also raised an idea about allocating some revenue to raise salaries for teachers, which he said are lower than other school districts.

Carpenteri said the town will save at least $750,000 in operating costs when it moves to two schools.

He also said he expects the superintendent of schools will work with the first selectman to craft a budget that will use funding a little more wisely. He said this would result in savings, of which some could be used to give the better teachers better pay.

In response to a question about whether or not the town would consider an independent police force, like Ledyard, Carpenteri said increased growth and development may mean the town needs more police services. But he said it would depend on the cost.  

Nickerson said the town is already looking at going to an independent police force, but he said the resident trooper program does have a great value. He added that the town needs to discuss having more police, particularly during the summer months.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich