POLAND – The Board of Selectmen’s two openings this year offers the only contest in this year’s election, which includes School Committee and library trustees seats.

Four candidates are running for the two seats being vacated by selectmen Lionel Ferland and Patricia Nash. Voters may make their choices between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday in the downstairs area of the old Poland Town Hall.

Leaving the town’s library trustees positions are current Chairwoman Linda Watson, who has served three terms, and Phyllis Smith, who has served the past two terms. Running unopposed are Rhonda Amato and John Farrell.

Currently serving on the Poland School Committee, Laurie Levine is running unopposed for another three-year term.

Voters may meet the candidates during an informal forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ricker Memorial Library. Candidates will give brief introductions, and members of the public will have opportunities to ask questions.

Selectmen candidates took time last week to answer the same general questions about their positions:

Q: How would you deal with issues related to growth and development?

Sanborn: I would like to see more progress for Poland. We need to have structured growth, and we need to entice businesses that would broaden the tax base and give back to the community. There are so many people who are spending their money somewhere else and would love to see a bank or a grocery store in town. But there’s no reason why we can’t develop business and still keep the rural character of Poland.

Mello: This town is going through growing pains, and some people keep looking to the past. Growth is inevitable. We can either stick our heads in the sand and hope it will go away or we can face reality and deal with it the right away. We’re big enough to be a real town now, and we’ve got to break this attitude that Poland hates business. I don’t believe that some of the ideas of limiting growth like moratoriums, increasing minimum lot sizes, or impact fees are the way to go. But there are ways to bring development that is clean and won’t add to the school burden.

Jordan: This town is growing way too fast. We’ve got to do something, like a moratorium or impact fees, until we get it figured out. This has become a bedroom town for Portland and Westbrook, and all of these new homes are driving the costs of schools up. We’ve got to start dealing with other towns and combining services to keep some of these costs for town services down. I’d like to see some business in the right locations – we don’t even have a bank in this town. I’m all for bringing in small businesses.

Moreau: There’s been an enormous amount of growth in the past 10 years. The trick is to balance growth with the rights of people. I don’t know where that balance is. Is growth an issue? Yes. What’s the solution? I think we need to listen to the best proposal. So far, I haven’t heard that proposal yet. One thing I’ve learned from being on the Planning Board is that no matter what you do, there will be some people who will be happy, and there will be some people who won’t. In the end, we have to decide what’s best for the town.

Q: What other issues do you see for Poland town officials to address?

Sanborn: I think there is too much complacency, and I’d like to shake things up a little. I think people aren’t using their power because it’s been the same for so long. There are too few people wearing too many hats. People have a right to know what’s going on, and the town needs to be more open.

Mello: Sometimes government thinks that as long as it’s not out of taxpayers, it’s not out of money. You have to distinguish between the things you need and the things you’d like. I think bringing business in can help relieve some of our tax burden.

Jordan: I think education is going to have to stay in line with the other town budgets. The selectmen and the School Committee have got to work together. We have to do something about the tax situation because it’s getting out of hand.

Moreau: Like any small town, we have to deal with unfunded mandates from the state. The taxes are rising in this community. But I don’t know that there are any big looming issues. I take the tact that we have to do the best job we can concerning the situations that arise.



Q: Why are you running for selectmen and what can you bring to the board that will help the community?

Sanborn: I’m excited about it, and I’m getting to know a lot of people. I don’t think anyone’s issues are too small, and I believe in treating everyone fairly. Because of being a paralegal, I like to dig into things and find out why things are the way they are.

Mello: Now that I’m retired, I have the ability to devote all the time that being on the board needs. I think I can bring a new outlook and some fresh thinking. I know what it is to live on a budget, and I believe that we all need to deal with change.

Jordan: I’m an honest person, and I take the town to heart. I’ve lived here all my life. I get along with most people, and I work well with the town manager. I’ll listen to the people, and I’ll do the best I can.

Moreau: I can bring a certain knowledge to the board, having been on the Planning Board a number of years, and especially coming from the Budget Committee. It’s always good for the board to change, and I think it’s a good opportunity for me to make a change. I’ve served on a lot of committees in town, and I’m aware of a lot of things that go on.