GREENE — Concern for the town’s budget and road conditions are high for this year’s Board of Selectmen candidates.
Each candidate named at least one of the two issues as a priority in questionnaires submitted to the Sun Journal this week.
The race includes just one incumbent, Glenn Chateauvert, the current chairperson of the board. Anthony Reny’s term has expired, and he will not seek reelection.
Sheldon Bubier, Robert Hack and Mark Randall are also seeking one of the two open seats.
Polls will be open from 1-7 p.m. at the town office Tuesday.
Candidate profiles for the four selectmen candidates are listed below.
Name: Sheldon Bubier
Occupation: Retired self-employed logger
Community involvement:
Current member of the Budget Committee
Current member of the Solid Waste Committee
Former member of the Planning Board, 10+ years
Former Maine School Administrative District 52 director, five years
Why do you think you are the best candidate for Greene’s Board of Selectmen?
Budgeting is one of the things I’m extremely good at, and I understand it probably better than any of the selectmen previously on the board. We’re looking at a tax increase on a $200,000 home of around $400-$500 this year. So, we need to look at dollars and cents. We’ve got some real bad budget issues this year with the previous administration. Money was being transferred between accounts; it wasn’t legal. There’s a whole lot of budget issues that need correcting, and I’ve been working with the town manager to try to get some of those corrected, so that the townspeople actually have a budget they can trust.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Greene’s future and how you would address them as a selectman.
One of the issues that is very critical is highway safety. Our roads are not safe. For two years, I’ve been trying to get railroad crossings so they’re safe, and I’ve run into obstacles for two years. My understanding is that we have high speed rail coming through here within the next couple of years, and we don’t have a safe crossing in the town. The road department is not giving us anywhere near what we should be getting for our dollars. We’re wasting enormous amounts of money with an unskilled highway department.
Glenn Chateauvert Submitted photo
Name: Glenn Chateauvert
Occupation: Pipe fitter at Bath Iron Works, 35 years
Community involvement:
Greene Board of Selectmen, nine years
Chairman for the Republican Party in Greene, 10+ years
Sabattus Lake Dam Association, nine years
Air Force veteran
Why do you think you are the best candidate for Greene’s Board of Selectmen?
I am the best candidate for the Greene Select Board because I have had nine years of experience on the board, and for the last year, I was chosen by my fellow board members to be the chairman. Being chosen to chair this board is a great honor and one I do not take lightly. As chairman, I make sure that I spend more time listening than talking to hear all sides of the issues, and then we as a board decide how best to proceed and one of us will follow up on how it is working out.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Greene’s future and how you would address them as a selectman.
Our number one issue is keeping the great people we have working for us now and keeping up with their training. I will accomplish this by making sure they have a safe and happy work space. I will also make sure that they know that they are valued and appreciated by everyone on the board, not just myself. The second issue is our highway department. These people keep our roads open in the winter when most of us would not leave our houses. I will support them by insuring that they have the equipment they need and it is in top notch condition.
Robert Hack
Name: Robert Hack
Occupation: Retired owner of Bob’s Restoration, LLC
Community involvement:
I was a town employee for about one year.
Why do you think you are the best candidate for Greene’s Board of Selectmen?
I think I’m the best person for the Board of Selectmen in Greene because I have a 50-plus year background in road construction, and I was a local business owner that understands what a BUDGET is. If you only have $100 to spend, you can’t spend $200. With my background and 20-plus years in Greene, I will keep the taxpayers informed of where their money is being spent. I will also talk to the taxpayers at least two weekends a month at the transfer station and get their input and advice on town issues.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Greene’s future and how you would address them as a selectman.
The election is very important in deciding how much taxes will go up each year. This election and the people involved in the budget process will determine how many people will have to sell their homes because they can’t afford to pay the taxes anymore. This is a small town that can only afford to spend the money we have each year. This year’s budget is asking for $1.1 million more than last year’s budget. That’s going to be a $400 increase that people don’t have. With the prices of everything else going up we need to STOP spending and only pay for what we can afford.
Mark Randall Submitted photo
Name: Mark Randall
Occupation: Self-employed owner/operator of Bubier Excavation/Construction, Inc. for 33 years
Community involvement:
Current Planning Board member, 12+ years
Greene Youth Athletic Association coach, 10 years
Member of Allen Pond Improvement Association, 25+ years
Why do you think you are the best candidate for Greene’s Board of Selectmen?
Having lived in Greene for over 50 years, I have seen and experienced a lot of changes in our town. Greene has been a wonderful place to raise my own family. I would like our town to continue to be a place we can all respect and enjoy where we live. I am committed to the betterment of our town, I am approachable, and I am a good listener. I believe my experience in excavation would be a great asset to our Town Public Works Department.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Greene’s future and how you would address them as a selectman.
I would bring my excavation experience to support and work alongside our town Public Works Department. There are many roads to be considered when thinking of repairs and safety. I have many years of experience in excavation, some of which include the building and repairing of roads. I also have many years of experience in plowing, sanding and maintaining safety during the winter months. Increases in property taxes is always concerning for our town’s people. I would like to address ways in which we can support our community and the rising costs of property taxes, including by attracting new, reputable businesses.
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