HOULTON, Maine — The town is looking for individuals interested in serving on the Town Council, RSU 29 school board, Board of Budget Review, Cary Library trustees or Houlton Water Company board of directors.
According to Houlton Town Clerk Cathy O’Leary, nomination papers are now available for a number of open seats. So far, interest has been minimal as no individuals have actually taken out nomination papers for the town council or school board.
Up for grabs are two seats (three-year terms) on the town council; two seats (three-year terms) for RSU 29 school board; three seats (three-year terms) for the board of budget review; two three-year terms on the Houlton Water Company board; and one five-year term on the Cary Library Board of Trustees.
For the town council, John White and Wade Hanson are finishing up their terms of service to the community. White is unable to seek re-election due to term limits, while Hanson could seek a second term. Councilors may only serve two consecutive terms (six years) before taking a mandatory two-year hiatus from the board.
Hanson stated Tuesday morning that he was not planning to run for another term on the town council.
For RSU 29, the two open seats are currently held by chairman Fred Grant and Karter Kenney. Both individuals are planning to seek re-election to the board. Grant has been on the RSU 29 board for the past six years, while Kenney filled a one-year vacancy last fall.
Two of the three seats on the board of budget review are held by Sue Tortello and Phil Bernaiche. The third seat is vacant. The town has had difficulty in recent years finding individuals willing to serve on this board.
For the Houlton Water Company Directors, the two available seats are currently held by Albert Fitzpatrick and Josh McLaughlin, while Gary Hagan holds the one available seat on Cary Library Board of Trustees.
To be completed, nomination papers must have 75 signatures from registered voters in Houlton. Forms are available at the town office, 21 Water St., during normal business hours (Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and must be returned before 4 p.m. Sept. 12, 2016.
For more information, call 532-7111.
