GREENFIELD — Candidates in the Nov. 7 city election were joined by residents and former elected officials Tuesday evening for a panel offering voters a chance to learn more about those seeking elected office.

Greenfield Candidates’ Night, which drew a crowd of about 65 people at Greenfield Community College and was livestreamed by Greenfield Community Television, was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Franklin County, GCC, GCTV and the Greenfield Recorder. Candidates for City Council, School Committee and the Board of Assessors were each given the opportunity to introduce themselves before answering one unique question submitted by the public.

The candidates forum followed last month’s mayoral debate, which was co-sponsored by the same organizations. Though they didn’t participate in Tuesday’s panel, Greenfield mayoral candidates Virginia “Ginny” DeSorgher and Roxann Wedegartner were both in the audience and talked with voters during a meet-and-greet portion of the event.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Greenfield High School gymnasium. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday is the last day to register to vote.

Questions for the candidates ranged from issues around the schools, increasing the affordable housing stock, property tax assessments, infrastructure and environmental concerns, and ways to increase revenue.

“I’m firm on the mayor’s race,” said resident Stanley “Stan” Bernstein, who plans to vote for DeSorgher for mayor. “I haven’t fully made up my mind [on other races].”

With many candidates in both City Council and School Committee citing a desire to advocate more at the state level for school funding, Bernstein said he would have liked to hear more about their plans to improve economic development downtown.

“I bemoan the closed doors on Main Street,” Bernstein said. “I wish we could do something about it.”

Others felt as though issues specific to seniors in the community weren’t addressed enough by the candidates.

“I understand the importance of the schools,” said resident Marsha Stone. “But you can’t forget about 20% of the population.”

Resident Doug Selwyn said he would have liked for the candidates to have had more time to respond to questions, noting that some of the issues addressed on Tuesday, particularly schools, “are incredibly complex questions.”

“If we want an informed public, I think we need to think about how we can help candidates present who they are,” Selwyn commented. “It would benefit all of us.”

Still, for some in the audience at GCC, the candidate night was a chance to learn about races they weren’t familiar with. Danielle VerPlanck, who came to support School Committee candidate Amy Proietti, said she came in knowing very little about the candidates. She said she would have liked to hear more about City Council candidates’ plans to bring in revenue.

“I’ve got some candidates that I clicked with more than I expected to,” she added.

Resident Pat Falvey said he was glad to hear so many candidates expressing support for the schools and the city’s infrastructure.

“I think they’re all very qualified,” he said. “I think they all would be capable.”

The candidates

John Garrett, Jesus Leyva and Wahab Minhas are running to fill the two positions being vacated by at-large councilors Phil Elmer and Christine Forgey, who are not seeking reelection.

Meanwhile, in uncontested City Council races, Precinct 1 Councilor Katherine Golub, who was appointed last summer to finish the rest of Ed Jarvis’ term, is seeking to retain her seat. Resident Rachel Gordon is running for a four-year term to represent Precinct 2, filling the seat to be vacated by City Council President Dan Guin, who is not seeking reelection. Michael Mastrototaro, meanwhile, is running for the open seat in Precinct 3, and John Bottomley seeks reelection to represent Precinct 4.

The four candidates for School Committee are incumbent chair Amy Proietti, and newcomers Ann Childs, Marina Leonovich and Stacey Sexton. Leonovich was unable to attend Tuesday’s forum. School Committee members Jean Wall and Susan Eckstrom, both of whom attended Tuesday evening, are not running for reelection. The committee seats are four-year terms.

And finally, Charles “Chuck” Green and David Roulston are vying for one, four-year term seat on the Board of Assessors, filling the vacancy left by current Chair Joe Ruggeri, who is not seeking reelection.

To view a recording of Greenfield Candidates’ Night, visit bit.ly/3QxJtni.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.