FLY CREEK - Many familiar issues were discussed by the four residents seeking election to the Otsego town board during a candidates night Tuesday.

Democrats Meg Kiernan, 44, and Jennifer Pindar, 31, and Republicans Anne Geddes-Atwell, 62, and Orlo Burch, 61, are running for the two open seats on the town board.

A fifth candidate, John Schallert, is running unopposed for a third position on the board to fill an unexpired term. Schallert defeated incumbent board member George Tucker in a Republican primary in September.

None of the candidates is an incumbent which means at least three of the four board members will be new to the position when they take office in January.

The rising cost of real estate lead to a question from the audience about large lot zoning and how it could put owning land and affordable housing out of the reach of many people.

Kiernan, who served on the Middlefield town planning board, said she understood the need for affordable housing and that she would prefer to see cluster development.

Burch said he believes there needs to be a variety of lot size requirements depending on what part of the town the land is located in.

Families, he said, are being priced out of home ownership and the Dreams Park and development on Route 28 has had a big impact on property values.

Pindar, the chair of the social studies department at Cooperstown Central School, said she believes that minimum lot sizes are something which should be addressed during the review of the town's comprehensive plan which is currently underway. She suggested that people should attend meetings and be part of the process.

The lot size was previously five acres, said Atwell, and was reduced to three acres and that is not working.

Village mayor Carol Waller quizzed the candidates on what they believed the town's role should be in the Linden Avenue project. The federally-funded project would create a visitor center and parking area south of the village in the town of Otsego. Town supervisor Tom Breiten is a member of both the technical and executive committees for the project.

Atwell said the Linden Avenue area is a complicated one, but that by working together a solution for problems can be found.

Pindar echoed Atwell's belief that a solution will only come through a combined effort.

Kiernan admitted that she was not very familiar with the project and Burch commented that there is little parking in the village and Linden Avenue must be addressed.

The town is working on two major building projects - improvements to the town hall and a storage facility for the highway department - and candidates were asked how they would involve more members of the public in the decision making process.

Kiernan suggested that a mailing or email would be two ways to notify people. One of the best possibilities is through the use of the town's website where information could be posted, she said.

Burch agreed the town board needs to listen to everyone and said public hearings may be the way for the board to receive input.

Pindar and Atwell also pointed to the website, surveys and mailings as a way to get information to residents. Atwell went a step further and said she would like to see a referendum.

The town board has been talking about regulating short-term rentals for two years, but has not made a final decision about it. Candidates were asked if rentals should be regulated.

Burch said the town has a long history of short-term rentals, primarily along the lakeshore.

"The nature of some of that has changed with the Dreams Park," he said. "Even though there is a history there needs to be some level of control. We need to protect the people who live here."

Atwell, a semi retired graphic designer, said the answer lies in the middle between strict regulation and no regulation. The town needs to protect the residents, but at the same time allow it.

"There are many good things about," she said.

Pindar said she doesn't think the town can stop short-term rentals, but it sounds like there needs to be some regulation.

Kiernan said she believes there needs to be more owner accountability when it comes to short-term rentals. Parking is a huge issue and regulations are also for the safety of the tenant, she said, adding that she believed the increase in short-term rentals is cyclical and may not present a persistent problem.

The candidates were also asked about their financial outlook

"Cutting taxes sounds great, but we have to keep things going. It would be hard to cut taxes," Pindar said.

Kiernan described herself as fiscally conservative and said the town needs to save because there are many uncertainties in the future.

Burch, who spent his professional life in the financial world, said the town should not be taking in more dollars than it needs. He said he was not always for lowering taxes, because the town does need to set money aside for contingencies.

Atwell commented that she believed the town budget was already online for contingencies and vehicle replacements.

Concerns were expressed about the school district's $19 million renovation proposition which would raise taxes and candidates were asked if the town board should become involved in school budgeting.

Burch said he believes the town board's responsibility is to the town and doesn't see it getting involved in the school's budget process.

"I don't think the town board has a role," Atwell said. "I wouldn't want them to tell me how to run town business."

Pindar is employed by the district and said that she believed it would be difficult to become involved. Often times, she said, the school has to deal with state mandates and requirements.

Kiernan said she would be happy to go the school board as an individual district resident, but not as a representative of the town.

"I've done my homework. I've attended over two years of town board meetings and served on a citizen's committee on weekly rentals. An experienced businesswoman, property owner, and informed citizen, I am committed to Otsego's future," Atwell said in her closing remarks.

"I want to serve you. I want to be active in the community. I believe in giving 110 percent and will do that," Pindar said.

Kiernan told the audience she is a hard worker and has plenty of time, following the recent sale of her business, to devote to the job.

"I'm here to help," she said.

Burch promised residents that if elected he would make the appropriate decisions and "help us get ready for the future.

The election is next Tuesday, November 8.