Towns prepare for upcoming elections

12 years ago

    A number of communities are preparing for spring, with municipal elections and town meetings taking place over the next few weeks. The following is a list of communities and the seats each will be seeking to fill:

• Ashland will hold its municipal election on Monday, March 18, with voting from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. taking place in the council room at the Municipal Building. The town meeting will be held Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. at the Ashland District School. Vacancies include two council seats, with incumbents Frank Sprague and William Nemer taking on challenger Patrick Driscoll. No candidates have expressed interest in one seat each as Water/Sewer District trustee or library trustee; write-ins during the election are encouraged.
• Blaine will hold its town meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 25, at the Central Aroostook High School music room. One seat each are vacant for SAD 42 School Board and as selectman, with nominations and a vote taking place during the town meeting.
• Bridgewater changed its fiscal year last year and as a result will likely hold its town meeting in August.
• Castle Hill has two incumbents, Maylen Kenney and Gerald McGlinn, seeking to retain their seats as selectmen, as is incumbent Robert Vigue who is seeking to return to his position as assessor. The election will be held at the Grange Hall on the State Road on Tuesday, March 19, from 3 p.m. until the town meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.
• Chapman will hold its election and town meeting on Monday, March 25, at 7 p.m. at the Chapman Ridge Runners clubhouse on Town Hall Road. Incumbent Timothy Scott is being challenged by Isaac Braley for one seat as selectman/assessor.
• Easton’s election and town meeting are slated for Monday, April 1, with voting taking place from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office, followed by a town meeting at the elementary school cafeteria at 7 p.m. Douglas Blackstone is running unopposed for his seat as selectman, as are incumbents Gaylen Flewelling and Marylee Keep for their seats on the Easton School Board. The municipal budget will also be voted on that evening.
• Mapleton’s election will take place on Monday, March 18, at the fire station on the Pulcifur Road from noon to 8 p.m., with the town meeting following at 8 p.m. Four individuals are vying for two selectmen vacancies, with incumbents Scott Smith and Shawn Doyen looking to hold off challengers Russell Bugbee and Kevin Condon. Smith is also running unopposed for his seat as assessor and Sewer District trustee.
• There is much interest in Mars Hill, with six candidates competing for two vacancies on the town council, with the departure of Councilors Frank Mahan Jr. and Ward McLaughlin. Candidates include: Timothy S. Brewer, Evan Todd Grass, Travis Kearney, Diane Porter Libby, Michael J. Stitham and Brian Chad Wood. Two seats are available with the Utility District, with incumbent John T. York and Wade V. Taylor seeking those positions. Incumbent Ryan Shaw is running unopposed for one seat on the Library Board of Trustees. Troy Grass, also unopposed, is looking to retain his spot on the SAD 42 School Board. Voters will also be asked to authorize municipal leaders to buy a new plow truck. The election will be held Monday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the fire department. A regular Town Council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, at the Mars Hill Town Office.
• Washburn will hold its election on Monday, March 18, at the Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the town meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, at the Washburn District High School beginning at 7 p.m., immediately followed by a town council meeting. Incumbent Keith Brown is running unopposed for his seat on the town council. Three candidates are competing for two vacancies on the SAD 45 School Board, including incumbents Tammy Easler and Carl Saucier and challenger Ryan Rackliffe. Steve Davis is unopposed for his seat as trustee with the Washburn Water and Sewer District.
• Westfield residents will be voting on town affairs on Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at the Town Office.