LIVERMORE — A longtime selectperson and a retired mailman are running for a three-year term on the Board of Selectpersons in Tuesday’s election.

Voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 8 at the town office.

Selectperson Tom Berry and Ray Hamilton have different opinions on a proposed mass gathering ordinance voters will consider at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at the elementary school.

“I am in favor of a mass gathering ordinance as several citizens have expressed their views in favor of it,” Berry said. “It’s too late to do something whenever an occurrence takes place which we have seen in other towns as well as in Livermore.”

Berry said the ordinance was well supported at the public hearing.

Hamilton doesn’t believe an ordinance is necessary.

“I think we should encourage all the business we can get in this town,” he said. “Mass gatherings spend mass money locally. People in this town are hurting due to lost jobs, and we need to find a way to cut spending and attract some new business to our town — not drive it away.”

Hamilton believes the major issue facing the town is a move he perceives to go to a town manager form of government.

“I can see that some selectpeople want to convert our administrative assistant to a town manager,” Hamilton said. “We are not big enough of a town to justify that expense. I believe most people don’t realize what goes on in town and are complacent.”

If elected, he hopes to awaken people and get them involved, he said.

Berry believes the major issue facing the town is the loss of state revenue.

“The major issue facing the town is the state cutting funding in many areas which affect the receivables,” Berry said. “These funds were an important loss as we prepared the budget being presented for this tax year.  Our administration and board worked through many sessions to hold the new budget within the LD1 guidelines. The 2011-12 tax year will really test our ability to hold that line.”

If elected, Berry said, he would continue to support that effort.

Hamilton believes using his common sense in decision making would benefit the town.

“I come with common sense and the ability to recognize wasteful spending when I see it,” Hamilton said.

The skills Berry said he would bring to the board are his experience with town affairs the past several years.

“I have learned a lot  in many areas of the many facets of town work, and I believe I have a good record relative to common sense, which is beneficial to this position,” Berry said. “I have taken a very active role in road reconstruction and paving, as there appears no end to the ongoing needs and requirements.”  

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Bio:

Name: Thomas Berry

Address: 509 Federal Road

Age: 78

Occupation: Retired orchardist, retailer and oil dealer.

Bio:

Name: Ray Hamilton

Address: 277 Butter Hill Road

Age: 56

Occupation: Retired mailman