REBECCA HOSKINS

Why are you seeking the select board nomination? 

I am running for select board because I care deeply about Bethel and want to give back to the community that has given me so much. I know that all Bethel residents benefit from the work of volunteers, town board members, committee members and town staff, and by stepping up to run for select board I, too, can contribute to making this town a great place to live, work and play.

Additionally, I have unique insight as a longtime renter and new homeowner into the housing crisis facing Bethel, and as the communications coordinator for a regional planning agency in Portland that supports local governments, I’ve seen firsthand that we’re not alone in any of our challenges.

I am committed to transparency, representing all residents and sound decision-making that prioritizes quality of life and access for everyone in Bethel. As a former small business owner, I’m also sensitive to the needs and priorities of the many businesses that make Bethel a unique and interesting place to live and visit. 

What do you think are some important issues facing the town of Bethel?

The shortage of long-term rentals and affordable housing are major issues, and they will be a top priority for me as a select board member. Local businesses struggle to find employees because they can’t find long-term rental housing, and young people who want to move here and make a life here are met with few options for housing. I will work to find creative solutions to this issue, and plan to build on the work that’s already been done to support residents of all income levels and ages. 

Another important issue facing Bethel is the same issue that faces towns across America: people are more divided than ever. Many of us get our news from unverified sources that validate the positions we already hold, and misinformation is served up on our phones 24/7 regardless of our existing beliefs. What gives me hope is that, despite the differences and distrust we face nationally, Mainers’ trust in local government has not wavered. For the most part, people trust that their local government is working for them, with their best interest in mind.

Our select board is made up of our neighbors, acquaintances, and people we can call up to ask “what’s going on here?” and get a real-time answer (maybe even over a cup of coffee at Gemini or Crossroads Diner). This trust is precious, and I am passionate about maintaining, honoring and protecting it. The best way I can see to do that is to bridge the information gap between the town government and Bethel residents. As a select board member, I will find ways to put information from select board meetings and committees in front of people who might not otherwise see it or seek it out.

I will use my skills as a communications professional to bring Bethel governance to you, so you never have to wonder “what did they talk about last week?” or “why didn’t this get funded” and let rumors fill the gaps. 

Does Bethel overspend or underspend, and where should reductions/increases be?

I am committed to making sure the town of Bethel is responsible with our tax dollars. As a homeowner, I am personally invested in ensuring that our property taxes are being spent in ways that make Bethel work not just for me, but for everyone in Bethel. I believe that the airport could be a much greater source of income for the town than it currently is, and as a select board member I plan to focus on using that incredible asset to our shared advantage.

My other priorities as a select board member will be to make sure that we invest in the things that keep the community thriving and make Bethel a great place to live: municipal infrastructure, public services and recreational programming.

What is your experience with community organizations and have you held positions in any organizations? 

I moved to Bethel in 2020 for an internship at Mahoosuc Land Trust, and fell in love with Bethel, the people here, and the nature that surrounds us. I was hired at the land trust as a part-time administrator and stayed on for about three years before moving on to a full-time position at a regional planning agency in Portland. During my time at Mahoosuc Land Trust, I met dozens of passionate Bethel residents who donated their time, energy and funds to make their community better and build a beautiful shared resource. 

What town board positions have you held?

I haven’t yet held any town board positions.

Other information:

I live on Grover Hill Road with my wife, Kerri, our cat Seuss and our dog Peanut. I’m 33, and moved to Bethel in 2020 when I was 27 (time flies when you’re having fun!). I had a small business selling my art at local markets for the first four years that I lived here, and met many of my Bethel neighbors that way.

I’m interested in the inner workings of local government, so I’m eager to dive into ordinances and budgets so I can be prepared for every meeting. If elected, I will be accessible, responsive, and transparent, and I’ll go above and beyond to serve you.

SARAH SOUTHAM

Why are you seeking the select board nomination?

I have lived full-time in Bethel for 24 years and raised my children here. I taught chemistry, physics and math at Telstar High School for 16 years and have been the manager at The Gem for eight years. I have also been involved with outdoor recreational programming for local young kids through Mahoosuc Kids Association, Bethel Outing Club and Maine West Project Play. I love and value our community and feel so lucky to be able to hear the voices of community members from the whole age spectrum.

I have sat on the Bethel Select Board from June 2023 to the present time. The initial learning curve for me was huge. I continue to want to learn more about how local government works and how to move the town forward in a positive way while following the town codes that direct us. I appreciate how a select board works as a group of five to come to decisions.

I am also thankful to the other select board members I have worked with who have put so much time and thought into the items on our agendas. It has been a privilege to work with others who care about the community and listen to each other carefully. I like being part of a hard-working group who is not only voting on the day to day items of running a town, but is thinking about the long-term planning and visioning of the town. I have also particularly enjoyed the joint town select board meetings with Newry, Woodstock and Greenwood that have been hosted by the Northern Forest Center.

They have provided wonderful opportunities to connect with our surrounding communities and think about ways we can collaborate. If I am reelected, I feel in a better position to hit the ground running and continue to grow as a select person.

What do you think are some important issues facing the town of Bethel?

I look forward to the opportunity for the town to go through a comprehensive planning process in the next 1-2 years. I think taking the time to have important community conversations about planning for the future will help the Bethel Select Board with proactive decision making. We have aging buildings and properties that can be used more effectively to serve community needs. We also have wonderful partnerships with the community to develop.

I am excited for the generation of creative ideas for how to use our properties more effectively, create spaces where all community members of all ages can come together and best think about our town planning as a whole. The community involvement piece will benefit us all. We are all so busy with work families and life, but want to feel connected with what is going on in local government and with local events/activities. With so many means of communication these days, it can be hard for the entire town to know where to go to find the information.

I would love the town website to be that place. It is a lot of work to keep a website current, but I see real potential for the town website to be a place where townspeople actively search for information on a weekly basis. The town website is free and there for every single community member. I would love to help with thinking about how to better develop it for easy community access.

As a select board we have been discussing how to go through the budget process in a more transparent way so that everyone in town knows the timeline for when decisions need to be made. As soon as we pass one budget in June, it is already time to be planning for the next fiscal year.

It is important to start the process early so that ideas/programs can be flushed out, researched carefully for cost and given time to be discussed in depth. It is important that the items in our budget are necessary, well-thought out and benefit as many community members as possible.

Does Bethel overspend or underspend and, where should reductions/increases be ?

I think we end up overspending when we react to emergencies — situations that arise when infrastructure has not been maintained regularly. With our town manager and department heads’ guidance we have been working to put maintenance/repair plans in place.

I think we need to spend money on upfront costs for our buildings and roads now so that we don’t have the reactionary costs of problems later. The town has also secured grants to help pay for infrastructure upgrades — the $1,000,000 Catalyst Program Grant given to Bethel in 2024 from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) for wastewater treatment system upgrades was particularly impactful.

Up until March 2026, I think we were overspending in our solid waste budget. Systems have now been put in place to make sure that only tri-town residents are using the transfer station and construction debris scales have started to generate revenue for the towns. This is also an impactful change for us.

I think we have lots of room to work on making our town facilities more energy efficient and that will take money up front, but save money later. Our town manager has secured very good rates for propane use compared to what we were paying a couple of years ago, but it would still be good to better insulate our buildings so that we are not losing heating/cooling effects.

With help from the Community Resilience Partnership Grants and EEPRC Technical Assistance Awards, we have been able to do energy audits of the buildings and have a better sense of what our energy efficiency needs are.

I think it is time to really think whether we renovate the Cole Block building or build something new. We also have the emerging relationship with Gould to use their Field House for recreational activities and we have the Ethel Bisbee lot with all its potential. These are exciting times to think bigger about what our community needs and wants. This kind of planning will come with costs, but I think with careful and creative planning, we can get help through grants so that it is not significant burden to tax payers.

What is your experience with community organizations, and have you held positions in any organizations?

I have been involved in the Bethel Outing Club since moving here in 2002 and am currently the president. We run an annual Ski & Snowboard Sale whose proceeds go to buying cross country ski gear for local kids grades K-12. I volunteer for kids’ mountain biking and cross country ski programming with Mahoosuc Kids and Maine West Project Play. I am also involved in YouthArts through Bethel Area Arts & Music. Through my work at The Gem, I have helped organizemany community events.

What town board positions have you held?

Bethel Select Board, June 2023 to present. I am also currently on the Bethel Conservation
Commission.

MICHELE COLE

Why are you seeking the select board nomination? 

My priorities in seeking the select board election are not only to optimize the performance of existing municipal services and programs but also to participate in long-term community planning. I believe that an elected official plays an oversight role and is a conduit for community concerns. A responsive town government can make a positive difference in local affairs
and people’s lives.

I look forward to assisting with an effective update to the Comprehensive Plan and related amendments of ordinances which support the plan’s goals and objectives.

Furthermore, the spinoff prosperity of Sunday River Ski Area (where I worked 17 years) is great but has come with local and regional challenges that are not being fully addressed. My efforts as a selectperson will be to focus on these challenges as well.

What do you think are some important issues facing the town of Bethel?

Having lived in Bethel for over 40 years, I’ve seen it change a great deal. Existing village properties have been rehabilitated, and many second homes have been built. This development is good but the benefit cuts both ways and one downside is the current lack of housing available to long-term and workforce residents.

I hope to address this issue through efforts like an effective comprehensive plan update while seeing community needs are met through proper and accountable budget practices.

Does Bethel overspend or underspend and, where should reductions/increases be?

I support common sense and realistic municipal budgeting that balances the needs of the community with available resources. Budgets must be prepared with accountable practices based on sound information in a transparent process. Following appropriation of funding at the annual town meeting, it is a selectperson’s responsibility to ensure best value is received for the money spent.

What is your experience with community organizations, and have you held positions in any organizations? 

I have had the privilege of participating in numerous community organizations including non-profits and service organizations. I remain active in community affairs and presently participate in the following:

• Bethel Rotary Club member currently serving in the District Governor track.

• Project Opportunity board chair — supporting Telstar High/Middle School students
with grants and scholarships.

• American Legion Auxiliary member and treasurer

• Holy Savior Parish Finance Council member

• Bethel Historical Society and Bethel Library member organizations I have served on.

• Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce board member and have held each of the officer positions. It was an honor to serve as Chamber President when we, as a community, built the world’s tallest snowman — Angus King of the Mountain!

• Bethel Rotary Club member for 26 years having served in several officer positions including the presidency.

• Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation board member for many years and held the positions of secretary and governance committee chairperson.

• Grand Summit at Sunday River Homeowners Association — I have experience with condominium associations having served on the board as well as treasurer.

• Ski Museum of Maine board member.

• Bethel Outing Club member in its earlier years.

• Executive Committee member for the Maine Municipal Association.

As time allows, I volunteer for events and fundraising efforts for many of the above-mentioned organizations as well as special community projects such was the Mahoosuc Area Broadband Project.

What town board positions have you held?

I have participated in town-sponsored committees and in town-elected capacities. I have held and currently have the honor of holding the elected positions of selectperson and assessor.

I have served the towns of Newry and Bethel in various capacities such as the Newry Unified Development Ordinance Committee, Newry Planning Board recording secretary, Bethel Comprehensive Plan Development and Implementation Committee, Bethel Town Code Committee and Bethel’s Budget Committee.