FARMINGTON – Selectman John Frary is being challenged again by Ryan Morgan of West Farmington for a three-year term in the March 9 election.

Iris Silverstein is running unopposed for SAD 9 director.

Frary was elected in 2007 to finish the term held by veteran Selectman Mary Wright, who died in January 2007.

Two years’ experience on the board isn’t enough time to make a difference, said Frary, who said he likes the opportunity to participate in the life of the town.

“A normal selectman doesn’t know enough to make much of a difference in two years,” he said. “Another three years would provide knowledge to act on.”

Both candidates expressed a belief in being involved in the community.

“I have no right to complain if I’m not there to voice my opinion, and I’d like to take my voice to the next level,” said Morgan, 35, who regularly sits in the audience at selectmen’s meetings to ask questions and learn about the town’s business.

Morgan also serves on the town’s budget committee, police space needs committee and has just been nominated for Mt. Blue Television’s board of directors.

A master electrician who works for SW&B Construction of Auburn at Verso Paper in Jay, Morgan also runs RDM Electric company.

He ran for the seat on the board in 2007 but lost to Frary.

“John’s a decent, smart and caring man but as he says ‘no one should run unopposed,'” Morgan said. “Instead of sitting in the crowd trying to make a change,” he said, “I’d like to sit at the table, plead my case and have a vote.”

Both candidates agreed the biggest issue facing the town is the economy.

The town is facing an economic turmoil and a crimp on revenues, Frary said. While he considers the town’s department heads and town manager competent, frugal and concerned about having the best people and equipment to do the job, his position on the board, he said, is not to necessarily agree but to represent the taxpayer.

Supporting measures that created savings for the town is just one action that Frary said he has accomplished during his first term.

Morgan said the town faces a double-edge sword. The town needs to grow to provide a bigger tax base to help offset rising costs but that also creates more demand for public services, more needs for the police, fire and public works department, he said.

The town meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, with polls open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Community Center on Middle Street.