LIVERMORE FALLS — Two residents are seeking election to a two-year term on the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 10. Jeff Bryant, a former selectman, and Mary Young, a former Budget Committee member, are running for the position.
The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.
Bryant and Young answered identical questionnaires from the Sun Journal.
One of the questions asked how a recently approved tax-increment financing district should be used to try and attract new businesses.
“Each case will be different and should be evaluated by the Board of Selectmen,” Bryant said. “An appointed person should keep track of where the TIF is at and report monthly to the Board of Selectmen on its status.”
Business and jobs need to come to the town but need to be the right fit for the kind of business trying to acquire TIF monies, he said.
Young believes “the town needs to be proactive and go after business versus waiting for business to come to the town. We need to ensure that businesses know that we are a business-friendly town, and the town’s people welcome them to come here,” she said.
As for changes needed in town, Bryant believes the older town buildings need to be addressed, including the fire station and the Highway Department garage. Grant money could be sought to help pay for the cost of having one building to house a variety of these departments, Bryant said.
“Many of the townspeople I have talked to would like different days or hours for the Town Office and Transfer Station,” he said. “It is always worth looking at and discussing.”
“I believe what is important is my commitment to the town,” Young said. “As a selectperson, I believe it important to look at all options and to consider them; as well as listen to the townspeople and what is important to them.”
She believes her education and experience will benefit the board.
“I have a Bachelor of Science degree in financial services and last year completed a master’s degree in business administration,” Young said.
She previously served on the town’s Budget Committee and worked for the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office for six years. In 2008, she began working for Maine State Housing Authority.
“In addition to working with various departments and individuals within the agency, my current position involves a significant amount of daily interaction with external partners,” she said.
Her position involves working with federal contracts and multiple budgets, she said.
“One of my strengths is my ability to review, organize and compile a lot of information in a timely manner, while always being aware of details. I am accustomed to working with deadlines and am able to handle multiple tasks at any given time,” Young said.
Bryant said he is willing to listen to situations and make level-headed decisions.
He also handles budgets and numbers in his professional work, he said.
He helped the town during the two-year term he served as a selectman and helped during budget time for the town, Bryant said.
He has a variety of talents and experience that would be a benefit to the board and town, he said. He is a handyman and feels he has a good overall view of many of the towns departments, he said.
“I have learned many aspects of the town of Livermore Falls in my two years as selectman,” he said. “If elected for the next two years, I am willing to learn more of the town operations,” Bryant said.
He has worked as an inventory specialist for the same company for 28 years.
dperry@sunjournal.com
Street address: 33 Mercier Lane
Age: 49
Occupation: Senior inventory specialist at Delhaize America DC03
Address: 32 Searles St., Livermore Falls
Age: 33
Occupation: Financial officer
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