WEST PARIS – When the town’s voters gather on Wednesday, Nov. 12, they’ll be considering a slate of candidates for selectman, which includes four residents who decided to run for the seat which is vacant due to the recent death of Selectman Harlan Abbott.

There is always a possibility that more candidates will emerge during the nomination phase of the meeting because nominations are accepted from the floor before voting takes place.

Running for the position will be Constance Bacon, Terry Campbell, James Johnston and Bill Birney.

Bacon is a longtime resident of the town. She served for many years as librarian at the Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library and has been involved in many community functions over the years.

Campbell served as selectman from 1999 to 2002. He and his wife, Sheila, were former owners of the West Paris General Store. Campbell is a proponent of fiscal and financial responsibility for the town. He said he strongly supports efforts to reduce town costs.

Johnston, who owns and operates Johnston’s Hardware Store on Main Street with his wife, Anne, also believes there are many ways that town costs can be reduced. He is currently chairman of the Town Manager Search Committee. He also served as chairman of the Town Manager Feasibility Study Committee. That change will take place in March. He has served on the town’s Budget Committee for the past several years.

Birney would be a newcomer to town government if elected. He said he believes he has many ideas that he can present that can be a benefit to the town.

Following the election, the assembly will also consider adding two items to the town manager’s job description. Those are responsibility for the town clerk and the road commissioner. If approved, the town clerk’s position would become the town manager’s responsibility after the annual town meeting in March, and the road commissioner responsibility would become effective after the 2006 town meeting.

Voters also will be asked if they are willing to accept the donation of a squad truck to be used by the Tri-Town Ambulance and Rescue Service.

The meeting will convene at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium at the Agnes Gray Elementary School on Main Street.

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