Two candidates are seeking the office of property tax collector for the town of Dresden. Susan Bickford-Lilly has decided to run this year for the position. She will face incumbent Ann Pierce, who is seek reelection after serving one year.

Oftentimes, only one candidate runs for some of the town offices such as property tax collector. However, this year two candidates will appear on the June 11 ballot for the one-year position.

Lilly believes she has skills that qualify her the various responsibilities of a property tax collector for Dresden, among them computer skills obtained through years of work experience and 20 years as the captain for the Dresden Fire Department.

“I just think I am a good fit,” she said. “I have good communication and computer skills.”

Lilly over the years has participated in many community services and frequents all or most of the town government and local events, which she believes any candidate should have on their record showing their concern and love for the community for which she has shown dedication over the years with her husband Gerald Lilly.

As an example of that dedication, Lilly gave her attendance at most selectmen’s meetings. “I come here not because I want to but because I want to,” she said. “It’s my town. I care.”

For many years she said has demonstrated leadership skills in whatever capacity for which she has assumed responsibility. She lists among several activities she has participated in the Lincoln County search and rescue team in addition to her service on the local fire department for many years.

For several years she has served as a CPR and first aid instructor and for the past 20 years has worked in customer service for L.L.Bean where she has also been a team leader for seasonal employees.

After completing her schooling in Lisbon Falls, Lilly served in the U.S. Army as a nurse.

Her opponent, Pierce, has demonstrated her own set of skills while assuming the position of property tax collector since her election last June.

“It has been a good experience and a learning experience,” Pierce said about her year on the job at the Town Office. “This is my first job as far as working for a municipality.”

Pierce took on the position last year for the first time ever as a town official. She said it has been very convenient for as a part time position, especially since she lives across the road from the Town Office.

“I’m learning ways to help people out in the town, and it’s got me interested in learning other aspects of the town,” she said.

Although her work consists mainly of business related to property taxes, she believes the town can assist citizens in various ways if they run into difficulty with paying off small balances in taxes they owe.

“We can probably try to help people who are in danger of having a lien put on their property like working out a payment plan,” she said. She aims to focus more on that kind help in the coming year if re-elected.

“I would like to try to engage more with people falling down on tax payments,” she said. She voiced her feelings for people in such situations who find themselves having to make a choice between buying food and paying taxes.

“I know how that must feel,” she said.

Pierce offers several skill sets for the task she has been doing taking care of her husband Jeff’s office work for his business, Jeffrey Pierce Restorations for the past 25 years. She also runs an antique business herself, Mill Stream Antiques, in the summer in the center of the Village.