LIVERMORE — Voters will decide Tuesday, June 10, who will represent them for the next three years as selectperson. Candidates Melissa Gilbert and Tim Kachnovich are running for the position held by John Wakefield.

It is the only contested race on the local ballot.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.

Running uncontested for a second, two-year term on the board is Peter Castonguay.

Town Clerk Renda Guild is uncontested in her bid to serve another two-year term as town clerk.

Amy Byron is also unchallenged as treasurer, a two-year term. RSU 73 director Cindy Young is also uncontested for a three-year term.

Gilbert and Kachnovich both answered the Sun Journal’s candidate questionnaire that contained the same questions.

Gilbert said she believes the biggest issue facing Livermore is taxes.

“Nobody likes them, but we all have to pay them,” she said. “On one hand, we have roads in desperate need of work and students that need education. On the other, we have tax rates that can be hard on families.”

There needs to be a balance, she said.

“I want to be the sounding board that takes townspeople’s concerns, and bring them to the table to get creative solutions that move us toward a more healthy, thriving and affordable Livermore,” Gilbert said.

Kachnovich said doing “more with less” is a common theme for most other municipalities and businesses.

“Balancing the town’s needs adequately while keeping the tax rate low is a priority,” he said.

He believes the town needs a full-time administrative assistant.

“With more and more state and federal laws, mandates and regulations, it is necessary to have a full-time administrative assistant,” Kachnovich said.

“Budgetary and personnel requirements need to be addressed properly. An administrative assistant would be valuable providing oversight of daily operations. With the right person in an administrative assistant position, the town can save money and stay within all of the mandates and regulations, as well as implement an effective and efficient budget,” he said.

Gilbert said she believes the town should explore its options before it decides to fill the administrative assistant position.

“Livermore is in a great position to move forward to a stronger future,” she said. “Much has changed in the political and financial landscape of our area since the position was first outlined. This may be the best opportunity to take a closer look at the position to include the current needs, duties and responsibilities of the town.

“We can determine the role of this position to better meet the needs of our community now and for the future,” she said. “Only after we explore the possibilities can we decide whether a full-time or part-time administrative assistant position is appropriate.” 

Gilbert and Kachnovich said they believe their skills and experiences would benefit the town.

Gilbert said her seven years of employment at Franklin Savings Bank, as well as experience as co-owner of Berry Fruit Farm and as a bookkeeper would help the town, she said.

Her skills in accounting, as well as being a good listener and realistic thinker would also benefit the town, she said.

“Working for a governmental agency for nearly 20 years, I’ve had the opportunity to see what works and doesn’t in government,” Kachnovich said. “I have owned and operated small businesses for over 10 years, employing an average of five seasonal employees. I was fortunate to be a member of the town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee, adopted in 2008. Being a member of the committee provided me valuable insight as to what is important to the residents and their vision of the town’s future,” he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Address: 361 Crash Road

Age: 28

Occupation: Small business owner, mother of two children

Address: 450 Federal Road

Age: 40

Occupation: Patrol supervisor at Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department, owner of T & T Lawn Care, co-owner of Apple Orchard Daycare.

Copy the Story Link