ERVING — Three candidates are vying for one open three-year term on the Board of Selectmen in the annual town election.

Selectman Arthur Johnson will face challengers George Moonlight Davis and Scott Bastarache in the May 4 election.

Johnson hopes to continue serving the town. He said he promotes transparency in local government and wants the public to be informed.

He recently helped establish a senior housing committee to get a conversation going around increasing the amount of senior housing options. He said that senior housing would be his number one concern moving forward.

Johnson said he would also like to continue to help the town find its next administrative coordinator.

While serving on the Board of Selectmen, he said he pushed the town to hire the Boston-based firm Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management to help pinpoint qualified applicants.

He said town officials wanted to take the politics out of the hiring process. By having an outside party sort through applications, the town could focus on candidates’ education and experience, Johnson said.

“I believe I was elected by the people of Erving to establish some checks and balances on that board,” Johnson said, who grew up in Erving.

Davis said he is running to bring new ideas to Town Hall.

“I think the town of Erving could use someone that really cares about the environment and about the inhabitants of Erving,” he said, explaining that he wants to be the voice against the controversial Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline project.

He said the public should have more information about how the pipeline would impact them.

Originally from Philadelphia, he lived in Millers Falls for three years before moving to Erving seven years ago. He plans to stay in Erving for the rest of his life.

If elected, this would be his first term. He currently serves on the town Planning Board.

“I believe that the town of Erving needs someone fresh and new and willing to challenge ideas,” he said.

Bastarache did not return a call for comment.

Residents also have the opportunity to vote for two candidates running for one three-year term on the Planning Board.

Incumbent Jacquelyn Boyden is seeking re-election on the planning board. Challenger Michael Shaffer is running for a first term.