By Gail Geraghty

Staff Writer

BRIDGTON: Taft leaving board, but McHatton still running

Seven-year veteran Bridgton Selectman Doug Taft will be stepping down from his seat in June, leaving a three-way race for the two open seats on the Bridgton Board of Selectmen.

Taft said Tuesday he won’t be running because the board’s Tuesday meeting nights conflict with his new position as District Education Representative for the 16th Masonic District of Maine. The position requires Taft to give educational presentations at all eight of the District’s Masonic Lodges, and some meet on the same night.

The other veteran on the board, Bob McHatton, is running again, however. He faces challenges from two newcomers, Robert P. Murphy and Greg Watkins. Neither man has served in local elected office before, but Watkins has been an active member of the Comprehensive Plan Committee.

Also running for local office in the Tuesday, June 9 elections are incumbents Mike Figoli and Dee Miller, for the two open seats on the Planning Board; Dorothy Stoddard and Karla Swanson-Murphy, for the two open seats on the SAD 61 Board of Directors; and Todd Perreault, for Bridgton Water District Trustee.

No one took out papers for the position of Planning Board Alternate, so that seat will be determined by a write-in vote.

HARRISON: Four vying for two Harrison Selectmen seats

It should be a lively election season in Harrison, with four people seeking two open seats on the Harrison Board of Selectmen.

Incumbent Selectman Chairman Bill Winslow is seeking another term in the Tuesday, June 9 elections. Three newcomers have also filed papers: Amelda Arris, Achille “Archie” Belanger and Richard Maynard.

Maynard served on the Budget Committee this year. Belanger was the longtime operator of the Harrison Transfer Station until he left the position in January. Arris publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding Belanger’s departure, and thereafter announced her intention to run for selectman.

Selectman Rick Sykes has decided not to run again, after serving a one-year term made vacant by the departure of Christine Davis.

The interest level is much lower, however, for the two available seats on both the Planning and Appeals Boards. Incumbent Planning Board member James Dayton is running again, as is current Appeals Board Chairman Robert McBride.

Also running unopposed is Albert Lisowski, for the one open seat on the SAD 17 Board of Directors.