By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Municipal elections and town meetings are scheduled in a number of communities in the area beginning next week. The following is a list of municipalities and the seats, if any are open, town officials are seeking to fill: Ashland will hold its election on Monday, March 17, with voting from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. taking place in the council room at the Municipal Building. Ballot items include Article 3, a referendum question that asks “Do you favor authorizing the Ashland Water and Sewer district to establish a lien on real estate served or benefited by the sewers of the district to secure the payment of the district’s rates?” Voters will also be asked to fill a three-year seat on the Town Council, choosing from two candidates: Kevin D. Charette and Thomas E. Martin. The Library Board of Trustees has two openings, with Kathi L. Beaulieu and Sharie L. Laveway running for those seats. Write-ins are sought for a three-year term available on the Ashland Water and Sewer District Board of Trustees. The town meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 18, at the Ashland District School at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
• Blaine will hold its town meeting at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at the Central Aroostook High School music room. Nominations will be sought from the floor to elect two selectmen and one individual for the SAD 42 Board of Directors.
• Bridgewater will hold its annual town meeting on Monday, Aug. 18, due to a change in the fiscal year last year.
• Castle Hill has two incumbents seeking re-election: Rocky McHatten is running for the selectman’s seat, and Gerald McGlinn is running for the assessor position. The town meeting will be on Tuesday, March 18, at the Castle Hill Grange Hall. Polls open at 3 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. The meeting time has changed from previous years.
• Chapman will hold its annual town meeting on Monday, March 24, at the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club. The meeting and polls open at 7 p.m. Patricia Sutherland is running for re-election for the positions of selectman and assessor.
• Easton’s election will be held on Monday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office. Incumbents Scott Allen and Bruce Flewelling are looking to retain their seats as selectmen, while Tom Osgood runs for re-election to the school board. The town meeting will be held April 7 at 8 p.m. in the Easton Elementary School’s cafeteria.
• Mapleton’s annual town meeting will be on Monday, March 17, at the Mapleton Lions Club. Polls open at 3 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. The location and times have changed from previous years. Two incumbents are seeking re-election: David Dunlavey as selectman and David Maxcy as assessor. Jennifer Buck is running for the seat open on the Sewer District Board of Trustees.
• Mars Hill has the most activity going on on election day, Monday, March 17. Polls will be open at the fire station from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for voters to elect individuals to fill several seats. With Penny Rideout not seeking re-election, one seat is open on the Town Council, with Frank Mahan Jr. and Todd Grass vying for the opening. The Library Board of Trustees has one contested seat, with incumbent Rena Kearney being challenged by Jill Lunney. Carolee Hallett and Jason Woollard, both incumbents, are looking to return to their seats on the SAD 42 School Board. Two seats are open on the Utility District Board, with incumbents Evan Lento and Dirk McCrum looking to return to those positions. The town meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Town Office on Tuesday, March 18.
• Washburn voters will have six municipal seats to fill. Elections will take place on Monday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Community Center. Incumbents Daren Churchill and Frederick Thomas are looking to retain their council seats, while Perlin Buck hopes to return to his spot on the Water and Sewer District board. There are three openings on the SAD 45 School Board. Candidates include incumbents Cherri Fitzpatrick and Karl Saucier Sr., and newcomer Amy White. The town meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the Washburn District High School gymnasium.
• Westfield citizens will vote on Tuesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. at the Town Office. Nominations will be sought from the floor to fill a selectman’s three-year term, formerly held by Andy Yaeger who is not seeking re-election.
