ANDOVER — She has been on the Board of Selectmen for close to eight years, but Tuesday Mary Lyman will face her first challenger for her seat.

Lyman faces off against Peter Cotch, a local attorney, who said he is not satisfied with the way Andover has been run, saying officials have spent too much, leading to large budget shortfalls. Lyman, on the other hand, contends elected officials have tried their best, but are up against a wall as health insurance and energy costs continue to rise.

Cotch is running on a platform of opposition to any new taxes — whether they come in the form of a tax override or the Community Preservation Act.

Lyman hasn't decided whether she'll support a Proposition 21/2 override, which is being considered because of a possible $4 million shortfall in next year's proposed budget.

But she said she supports the Community Preservation Act, which would tack a 1 percent surcharge onto property tax bills, or about $72 on the average bill. If it's approved, money from the state becomes available to the town to pay for conservation, preservation, recreation and affordable housing projects.

Would you support a Proposition 21/2 override this year?

Lyman: I'm undecided at this time. It depends what happens with the Community Preservation Act, new growth and what cuts we can make this year.

Cotch: Absolutely not. I'm unequivocally opposed to any new taxes.

Do you plan on voting for or against the Community Preservation Act?

Lyman: I support the CPA. I think it's a financial tool to help the town get at state funding that supports three of our finer qualities we aren't able to get at with the existing budget: affordable housing, open space and historical preservation. This could supplement our budget, maybe help stave off an override. It can't hurt.

Cotch: I support it in principle, but I don't believe the timing is right for it this year. It's not the time to be raising taxes.

Up to this point, do you think the town has been run well?

Lyman: I do. I'll always see areas for improvement, but when I say I live in Andover, everyone always says what a nice town this is. We're frequent award-winners of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. We have a great Web site. There are so many things to be proud of. Sometimes we forget what we're good at when we focus on the negatives.

Cotch: No. Otherwise I wouldn't be running.