DIXFIELD — Four people are seeking two seats on the Board of Selectmen in the June 8 elections.

James Desjardins, 67, an incumbent selectman who lives at Sugarloaf Avenue, is vying for a second, three-year term. He is a retired postmaster who is a longtime member of the King Hiram Masonic Lodge, and member of the Dixfield American Legion, Rumford Veterans of Foreign Wars, and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962-66. He is also a member of both the state and National Association of Postmasters of the United States. He graduated from Mexico High School and attended the University of Prince Edward Island and Husson College.

He said several tough decisions have come before the board during his tenure, largely because of the town’s shrinking revenues. Among them, he said, was a decision not to grant raises for the town’s employees for two consecutive years, and a vote to buy a new sidewalk plow rather than continuing to put money into an old model.

“I speak my mind,” he said. “My career has been with people and dealing with people. If people have a problem, they can come to me and I will find the answer.”

Malcolm Gill, 61, of Spring Street, is making a first-time bid for elective office. He will retire as a social studies teacher at Dirigo Middle School later this month. He currently sits on the Ione Harlow Scholarship Committee and is a member of the Webb River Valley Sportmen’s Club. He has also served as a volunteer for the Dixfield Fire Co. for 20 years, and is a former Conservation Committee member. He graduated from Dixfield High School and from the University of Maine.

Gill said he has an open mind, no axes to grind and no preconceived ideas.

“I support what the people want,” he said.

Also, he said he wants to give back to the community in which he grew up and worked.

“I’ve lived here all my life, worked in the school department, and now I have the time to give back,” he said. “I like people, like dealing with people and I’m open to everyone’s opinion, then I form my own.”

Katherine Harvey, 47, of Lancaster Street, is making a first-time bid for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. She ran unsuccessfully for the state legislative seat currently held by Sheryl Briggs. Harvey is the grants writer and administrator for Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10, and is a former mentor coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She is a member of the Rotary and advises the Interact Club for the Rotary, as well as the Future Business Leaders of America. She also is a member of the Fast Start Committee, and graduated from Lewiston High School and Kennebec Valley Community College.

Harvey said she has always felt the need to serve her community.

“The towns and state helped me as I was growing up and I’ve always felt a real need to give back,” she said.

She wants to learn what Dixfield residents want by devising a survey that would show their priorities. She also wants to learn how other towns are dealing with a cut in state revenues.

Her experience with grant writing and collaboration among many different people could be a strength in the position of selectman.

All three candidates are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward the potential for a wind farm development.

Desjardins said such development could bring Dixfield a greater tax base, but he wants to make sure that it wouldn’t hurt anyone physically or monetarily.

Gill said he has no strong opinions on wind farm development. He would like clear and factual evidence before deciding whether to become an advocate or an adversary.

Harvey said he wants more information about the advantages and disadvantages of wind farms.

All three favor some form of regionalization, although which departments and which area towns would be involved are slightly different for each candidate.

Melissa Bradbury of High Street, who had also returned nomination papers, could not be reached for an interview. Incumbent Selectman Raymond Carlton declined to seek an additional term.

Voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 8 at the American Legion Hall.

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