Newtown taxpayers and residents have until noon on Monday, October 19, to submit questions they may have for candidates running for the Board of Finance this coming Election Day.

Continuing an annual tradition, The Newtown Bee is hosting its 2015 Candidates Forum October 20, from 7 to 9 pm, in the Edmond Town Hall Theatre. This year, the forum will introduce local Democratic and Republican Board of Finance candidates.

The pre-election forum will be produced by Associate Editor John Voket.

“I think voters can develop their best ideas about local candidates they may want to support by meeting them up close and personal, and getting a chance to see and hear how they react on their feet to questions that pertain to the offices they are seeking,” Mr Voket said. “What makes these forums even more relevant is incorporating questions being asked by the voters and taxpayers who will be casting ballots to put these folks in office.”

Forum host and Bee Editor Curtiss Clark said that while the newspaper’s previous local pre-election forums have focused on top-of-ticket races, the 2015 First Selectman and Board of Selectmen races this November are all uncontested.

“With four veteran finance board members — Chairman John Kortze, Vice Chairman Joseph Kearney, Michael Portnoy, and Harrison Waterbury — all retiring from service this year, we believe the Board of Finance race is a key one for taxpayers this year,” Mr Clark said.

Local Democrats have nominated incumbent Jim Filan, along with Aaron Carlson, Kelley Johnson, and current selectman and former finance board vice chair James Gaston for open seats, while the GOP has nominated incumbent John Godin, and newcomers David Ruhs, Mark Boland, and Sandy Roussas for the November 3 ballot.

The event will include an informal meet and greet in the town hall lobby from 7 to 7:30 pm, with the forum commencing at 7:30 on the main stage. The event is free and open to all who show up, and residents are encouraged to attend.

Anyone wishing to submit questions for finance board candidates may e-mail to . Please note in the subject line “Questions For Candidates Forum.”editor@thebee.com

Questions may also be delivered in person or mailed to the newspaper’s offices at 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, in time for the October 19 noon deadline.