In results out Saturday night, Alna picked Linda Kristan over Kyle Levasseur 183-131 for second selectman and Charles Culbertson over Christopher Cooper 174-144 for third selectman. Both seats have two-year terms. Incumbent second and third selectmen Doug Baston and Greg Shute did not run.
In other results Interim Town Clerk Amy Stockford reported via email, Road Commissioner Jeff Verney won re-election with 263 votes; and, with 256 votes, Kristina Verney was elected to the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit board. She has been serving on it as an appointee. Both candidates were unopposed on the ballot.
With 115 yes votes and 200 no’s, voters rejected Ralph Hilton’s proposal to add permanent structures with water-dependent uses in a section of the shoreland zoning ordinance.
Voters passed everything else on the ballot, including paying firefighters $20 an hour instead of $15 an hour when they respond to calls.
In the email, Stockford thanked those involved in the elections and referendum voting that replaced an open town meeting due to the pandemic. “I would like to thank all my ballot clerks today. It was a struggle to tally the referendum results; there was really no way to make it easier, but they got it done.
“Many thanks to deputy clerks Lynette Eastman and Linda Verney who facilitated all the absentee voting and voting in the presence of the clerk as well as checking in voters and helping our voting go smoothly. Thanks to (moderator Roger Whitney) for tallying votes and helping me clean up and move all the voting stuff back to the town office. Hopefully next year we can return to (the) open town meeting format,” she wrote.
Responding to text questions after the counting, Stockford confirmed “a couple” instances of voter challenges over whether or not the people lived in Alna or lived in an illegal in-law apartment. Those voters were allowed to cast their ballots, she said. “I’ve never had to deal with (a voter challenge) before, so I would say (it was) very unusual, but with such a contentious vote I’m not surprised something like this popped up.”
Stockford added, no margins Saturday were close enough for those challenges to change them.
Stockford found something else notable this election cycle. “I have to say, there has always been voting in the presence of the clerk along with absentee balloting, prior to an election. But I was surprised at how many voters didn’t know this,” she told Wiscasset Newspaper. Staff dedicated the March 25 and 26 office hours to early voting.
In a town email announcing Saturday’s results, Stockford noted 162 people voted early; Election Day turnout at the polls at the fire station brought the number casting ballots to 318, including one new voter registration Saturday, Stockford said.
Responding Sunday to an email request for comment on her election, Kristan wrote: “I am thankful for those who wrote such supportive letters on my behalf, and for the encouragement I received. Thank you to the voters who took the time to complete that very long referendum ballot. Despite the pandemic, everyone involved in this election performed their duties with grace and good cheer.”
Every job has a learning curve, Kristan continued. “I will be listening, reflecting, reading town-related materials with highlighter in hand and taking notes. I plan to follow advice from Judith-Hatch Orne in her article, ‘Being Right or Staying Married’ (Free Press): ‘Ask for details; don’t interrupt; talk less; create a bridge rather than barriers.’ Wise suggestions for a marriage and for governance.”
Fellow selectman-elect Culbertson also responded Sunday. “I’m excited about the outcome of the election and humbled by the support of so many voters.
I’m hopeful that we can turn the page on what has been an undercurrent of distrust, and bring tolerance and positivity back to the town of Alna.
“A large part of my job will be representing individuals with differing opinions and priorities, and finding ways to bring them together for the common good. I pledge to work hard to represent all of Alna’s residents. My bottom line: To do what is best for the town and to help neighbors in need,” Culbertson told Wiscasset Newspaper.
Selectman-elect Charles Culbertson
Selectman-elect Linda Kristan
