WOONSOCKET — Don't forget to vote: Today is primary day for the city's mayoral contenders.
In an initial step toward a historic change in leadership, city residents are to cast ballots to whittle down the field of would-be successors to Mayor Susan D. Menard, who is stepping aside after a record 14-year stretch in office.
There are four contenders in the running:
n Former state representative Todd R. Brien, 45, a 20-year veteran of the Woonsocket Police Department who retired as a detective sergeant several years ago. Brien now works as a self-employed private investigator and has run for mayor twice in the past.
n City Council President Leo T. Fontaine, 40, a member of the City Council for 16 years, much of that time as its president.
n Steven J. Lima, 38, the developer of Bernon Mills Estates, a luxury mill-to-condo conversion overlooking the Blackstone River.
n Michael Mello, 52, a retired private investigator and ambulance operator who has also run for mayor in the past.
The two top finishers in today's primary will go on to the general election on Nov. 3 to determine who will become the next mayor.
Nearly two dozen contenders for City Council and School Committee, plus a referendum question on how legal representation for the city should be managed, will also be on the ballot for the general election.
The Board of Canvassers will open all of the city's 16 polling places for today's primary. They are located at Crepeau Court, 100 Front St.; John F. Kennedy Manor, 547 Clinton St.; Park View Manor, 218 Pond St.; St. Stanislaus Parish Hall, 188 Front St.; Fairmount Heights, 525 Second Ave.; Fire Station No. 2, 5 Cumberland Hill Road; Sacred Heart Parish Center, 415 Olo St. (entrance on Third Avenue); Fire Station No. 1, 169 Providence St.; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School Hall, 1371 Park Ave.; Bernon Park Recreation Building, Kermit and Gilbert streets; St. Agatha's Church  basement hall, 34 Fairfield Ave.; Woonsocket High School, 777 Cass Ave.; Fire Station No. 4, 806 Mendon Road; Leo A. Savoie School, 980 Mendon Road; Morin Heights Hall, 66 Morin Heights Blvd.; Citizens Memorial School, 250 Winthrop St.
The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Voter information is available all day at 767-2223, 767-2224 and 767-2225.
In the highlight of campaigning so far, the candidates met in two separate forums last week to discuss their views on a number of issues facing the community, including how to make ends meet in an era of dwindling state aid, fair funding for schools and the need to make the city more business-friendly.