FARMINGTON — Three candidates are seeking two seats on the Board of Selectmen in balloting April 1, Town Clerk Leanne Pinkham said.

Jessica Berry, 32, has announced her candidacy for a seat. She joins incumbent Nancy Porter and former Selectman Dennis Pike on the ballot.

“I think fresh faces can always bring something new, a new perspective,” she said Tuesday.

Berry, a lifelong resident of Western Maine who grew up in Livermore, returned to Farmington five years ago to work at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Upward Bound Program. The federally-funded program focuses on helping low-income high school students become first-generation college students.

Farmington was home while she pursued a degree in political science at UMF. She then obtained a master’s degree in special education at the University of Southern Maine and worked for several years in the field.

She said she has a passion for and likes getting involved.

“I don’t want to sit on the sidelines,” she said Tuesday. 

“I continue to believe in the value of service to one’s community. I will strive to maintain the quality of public services and infrastructure in the way that is most fiscally responsible for the town and its future. I look forward to connecting with voters in the coming weeks prior to the elections, and can be reached at [email protected] or 779-6672.”

She is president-elect of the Maine Education Opportunity Association, an organization devoted to furthering educational opportunities for students and adults.

Berry is trying to get the word out about her candidacy. She collected the needed nomination signatures prior to Feb. 18, the original due date, but then held off on turning them in until the extension period. The due date was extended after Farmington’s annual town meeting date was moved from March to April 2.

The election will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, at the Community Center on Middle Street.

[email protected]