By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

SEEKONK — A former selectmen who desires another term and a political aspirant who is hoping that his third time will be the charm will square off in Monday’s special election to fill the Board of Selectmen seat vacated by Carol Bragg.

David F. Viera, the town’s former fire chief and a selectmen from 2004-2007 and Francis M. Cavaco, a retired UPS driver who ran for the board twice before, are the candidates hoping to replace Bragg and finish out the remainder of her term, which ends in April 2010.
Polls will be open in Seekonk from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at the town’s four poll locations: precinct 1-North School, precinct 2-Seekonk Library, precinct 3-Town Hall, and precinct 4-Martin Elementary School.
Viera, 57, of Ipswich St., and Cavaco, 53, of Kent Drive, are both active in the community, volunteering in town government and in other local civic organizations. Viera is currently a member of the town’s Planning Board and Cavaco serves on the Finance Committee, although he has taken a leave of absence as a candidate as required by the town charter.
Both candidates have also espoused on the need to maintain tight controls in spending in these difficult financial times and to find ways of keeping the town affordable for residents. What they differ on are the finer points of how to make this work.
Viera points to his experience on the board as well as in a management role on the fire department as being important during these tough economic times. He said there are many procedural aspects of being a selectmen, such as handling matters in executive session, that can only be learned through participation and not just from attending selectmen’s meetings, and maintains that it is “not the right time” for a newcomer.
Viera spoke of the concern he has over the upcoming ballot initiative to repeal the state income tax, and said that
Seekonk must prepare itself for a potential drop in state aid by seeking alternative forms of revenue. He is a supporter of legislative efforts that would allow for a meals tax as a local option, and suggests that a spending freeze might be in order in town government to avoid tax increases.
“We need to look at the needs versus the wants, just as people are doing in everyday life,” said Viera. He points to the meals tax and the decision to eat out at a restaurant or eat at home as being something that people have a choice in doing. He added that running the town “should be no different from any other business.”
Viera also noted that he thinks local leaders should push the state more to provide funding for state-mandated programs and services, as promised under Proposition 2 ½.
During his previous term in office, Viera acknowledged,  “I made some mistakes. I would re-do some decisions. But in my heart, I made what I felt were the right decisions at the time, with the information that I had before me.”  He added that he looks forward to serving the town again, with the benefit of “knowing the ins and outs” of the selectman’s role.. 
Cavaco notes that he has long taken an active interest in town government, and maintains that the five-member board would benefit from “a new face; someone with fresh ideas.” He added, “Sometimes, you can get more things done without experience.”
Cavaco said he also worries about the impact that a repeal of the state income tax would have on the town and said it is imperative that local leaders “look ahead. We need a plan in place to support our needs without state funding.”
Unlike Viera, Cavaco said he is against a local meals tax, noting that it would also affect local residents as well as those from across the town border. “Businesses are struggling now. It is not the time for a meals tax,” he stated.
Cavaco also faults Viera for his past vote as a selectman in support of shifting the town’s dual tax ratio as far as possible to favor residential tax payers while making businesses bear a higher burden. He notes that any future change in the tax ratio can only be done by increasing the residential tax rate. “We can’t go any higher on the commercial. That’s already at its highest point now.”
Cavaco said that while the board is a policy-making entity, he nevertheless thinks the members should help the town prepare for “fiscal tightening” which requires an examination of “day-to-day expenses.” He also said he would like to see 10 percent of the town’s total operating budget set aside for a “rainy day fund.”
Cavaco said he advocates the town exploring alternative energy methods in future building and remodeling projects. He also said that such issues as open space, historic preservation and future development “need to be weighed and measured so Seekonk can be an attractive, livable community.”