Livermore Falls voters to decide one contested race for Board of Seletmen

LIVERMORE FALLS — Voters will choose three selectmen and a school director during annual elections Tuesday, June 11, at the Town Office. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Selectman James Collins is running for a three-year term, Selectman Kenny Jacques for a one-year term and RSU 73 director Tammy Frost for another term.

Selectman Jeffrey Bryant is being challenged by Laurie Sanborn for a two-year term on the board.

The two shared their thoughts on a proposed property ordinance and a proposal to leave Androscoggin County and join Franklin County, which voters will decide.

The property maintenance ordinance would regulate the condition of the exterior and interior of homes. The document was developed after some residents complained of trash and other items piled in yards.

Bryant believes the ordinance does not work for the whole town of Livermore Falls.

“I do see the need for an ordinance to help the town village area,” he said. “Citizens should have a right to live and maintain their own property but the town needs something in place to be able to act on critical situations.”

Sanborn believes there should be some property maintenance regulations but not to the extreme the proposed ordinance is written, she said.

“I’ve read through this proposal and I found it to be rather strict and I don’t believe that the townspeople would be on board with the way it is currently written as it takes the rights away from the homeowners,” she said.

“There was one section ‘Interior’ and it stated that you would need to keep your home (inside) clean. My concern is how would you enforce this?”

A person would need to come onto a person’s property and look through a resident’s window to determine whether or not it is up to code, she said.

“I don’t see a great deal of issues in the country so if the Planning Board is seeing a problem in town then address those issues first,” she said.

On the proposal to change counties, Sanborn believes that due to the 2011 school consolidation with Jay, which is in Franklin County, it makes sense to join Franklin County.

“Who knows, maybe down the road we can consolidate other town positions,” she said.

Bryant believes Livermore Falls withdrawing from Androscoggin County is a good idea for many reasons. Those include less travel for police and dispatch expenses.

“The overall cost still is a factor to be looked at and when the time comes I would be interested if elected to be on a committee to express the best interest of Livermore Falls citizens,” he said.

Both candidates believe they have skills to benefit the town.

“I believe that I can present fresh ideas that will help the residents of Livermore Falls,” Sanborn said. “I can be their voice as I’ve heard from a lot of townspeople that they feel no one is listening to them. This really needs to change. I want to be an advocate for the people and trying to get lower taxes, as we spent way too much money in Livermore Falls and we need to tighten our belts. I am hoping that if I do win the seat that I can help to create a business friendly town government.”

Bryant said he is willing to listen to situations and make level-headed decisions.

He handles budgets and numbers in his professional work and helps during budget time for the town, he said.

He has a variety talents, is a handyman and feels he has a good overall view of many of the town’s departments.

“I have learned many aspects of the town of Livermore Falls in my two years as selectmen,” Bryant said. “If I am re-elected for the next two years I am willing to learn more of the town operations.”

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