Stonington — First Selectman George Crouse announced at Thursday night’s Board of Selectmen debate that a developer is planning a major project for Perkins Farm that would generate an estimated $1 million in annual tax revenue for the town.

He said it would contain a geriatric health center, professional offices and residential units and have an open space buffer along Jerry Browne Road to shield it from the Stone Ridge retirement community across the street.

Crouse could not provide any other details about the project after the debate. No application has been filed yet for zoning approval.

Property owner David Lattizori has approval for a subdivision of single family homes, which have never been built. His attempts in the past to construct a major commercial development on the site have been rejected by the town.

The debate, sponsored by The Day, included Crouse, his Republican opponent Rob Simmons, and the two Board of Selectmen candidates — unaffiliated incumbent Selectman Michael Spellman and Democratic candidate Kate Rotella.

It attracted a standing-room-only crowd at the Stonington Community Center, who listened to them answer questions about topics ranging from economic development and reimbursement for residents who lost flood insurance discounts to preparing for climate change and responses to Freedom of Information requests.

Simmons, a former three-term congressman, led off the debate saying he is running because “I’m tired of reading bad things in the paper about a good town, and I want to do something about it.”

Crouse, a Democrat who was appointed to the position after Ed Haberek resigned last December, stressed that “all of my life I’ve worked for Stonington” and since taking office has got things done.

Spellman said being a selectman is not a ceremonial position.

“I try to be a voice, not an echo,” he said.

Rotella pointed to her experience in municipal government, working as the purchasing agent for the Town of Waterford, as making her qualified for the job.

All four candidates agreed that there is a balancing act when it comes to meeting the needs of residents and working within a budget that does not create an excessive tax burden on them.

Simmons said he would continue to push to make changes in the manufacturing zone regulations to allow more commercial uses as way to revitalize the mills in Pawcatuck.

He criticized Crouse for a delay in hiring a new director of planning after funding became available in July. Crouse said a new director will be on board by the end of November and his hiring of a economic development consultant and grant writer will spur business development.

In addition to expanding the uses in the manufacturing zone, Spellman said the town should capitalize on ecotourism.

As for reimbursing property owners for losing their annual flood insurance discount after the town failed to notice errors in its compliance with federal regulations, the candidates were split.

After pointing out the town attorney had ruled the town has no legal obligation to reimburse property owners, Rotella said “we have to follow those rules.” Crouse said the question would be up to the Board of Finance and voters at a town meeting.

But both Spellman and Simmons supported reimbursing the property owners. Spellman said the town risks a class action lawsuit by not doing so, while Simmons said the town may not have a legal obligation to reimburse them but “has a moral obligation to make them whole.”

In response to a question about how the town can decrease its number of lawsuits and disputes, Rotella suggested using a mediator and talking to people to resolve problems.

Simmons said he would appoint an ombudsman to resolve them and appoint members to an ethics commission.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas