Three candidates have come forth for the three-year office of second selectman on the Dresden Board of Selectmen. Voting for the candidates will be held June 11. The position became vacant when Second Selectman David Probert announced he would not seek reelection to the board several weeks ago.

A concern arose at the outset as there were no candidates to replace him for the June annual town elections and meeting, but Lauren Haven, Melanie Gaczi and Gerald Lilly threw their hats in the ring after some persuasion by various local residents. It is a first for Dresden selectmen elections, which have historically never had more than two candidates.

For such a time as this, the three offer their gifts and service for the job of second selectman, which now officially entails oversight of the recycling and transfer stations along with the swap shop located there.

Probert served as manager there for several years and continued even when elected selectmen three years ago. The town has now ruled that the second selectman will have the oversight responsibility.

This year, another post will have two contenders for the one-year property tax collector slot: incumbent Ann Pierce and Susan Bickford-Lilly.

Other positions for town offices this year have no contests. The list of candidates includes incumbent Kim Rzasa for the one-year positions of town treasurer, town clerk, and excise tax collector.

Also, incumbent Michael Terrell seeks to renew his three-year position on the KIDS RSU 2 Board of Directors representing Dresden.

Dresden’s polling place for the election portion of the annual town meeting will be held at Pownalborough Hall on Tues., June 11 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The town meeting will resume for public discussion and vote on several Dresden Town Warrant articles on Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m. at Pownalborough Hall.

Second selectman

Running for second selectman, Melanie Gaczi, one of the three candidates on the ballot, voices a strong desire to take on the responsibility of the shared leadership of the town’s affairs on the three-member board.

“I really do want the job,” Gaczi (pronounced like taxi) said in an interview with the Wiscasset Newspaper.

Gaczi, a native of New England and Dresden resident for several years, offers a number of skill sets she believes will support an efficient running local government.

A background in stock market positions on the trading floor for the Pacific Stock Exchange in San Francisco for a number of years constitute part of her qualifying attributes, in her estimation.

“I have never been involved in politics, but some of the skills I have will cross over,” she said. She has a motto for her candidacy she touts as her philosophy: “works hard, works smart.”

If elected, Gaczi voiced her intentions of taking a close look at the options when various issues arise including weighing the cost benefits and talking with local taxpayers to reach some kind of consensus for what is good for the community.

Ever since Gaczi and her husband Peter moved to Dresden, she said they have found home in the small rural setting. “We were searching for paradise and found it here,” she said. “I love it.”

Now Gaczi wants to have a hand in helping to maintain and better the town which has become home.

Lauren Haven, another candidate offering her service on the board, offers a unique perspective as a life resident of Dresden having grown up in the town she loves and has served in various capacities in more recent years.

In considering her candidacy, Haven said, “I shouldn’t expect other people to step up to the plate if I’m not willing to myself.”

Haven's willingness to do just that speaks for itself, as she has been involved with the comprehensive plan for the town serving on the plan committee. Currently she serves on the board of directors of the area Richmond food pantry, which serves Richmond and Dresden combined in which she would like to see more Dresden residents helped.

“I would like to see local businesses highlighted more and see it come together more,” Haven said. She pointed to the way the town has supported the farms locally and wants to see something similar happen with small businesses to give them more exposure.

Part of Haven's community involvement has been to participate in the town’s website building which she believes could also serve to help promote the businesses. “I would also like to see the town do more for its seniors,” she said. “We really don’t have any programs.” She believes the town could provide such a benefit at minimal cost.

Haven, a professional vocalist, offers several skills she has obtained over the years since earning her degree from the University of Southern Maine. She has been a volunteer at the swap shop as part of her service to the town.

“I will do the best job I can do,” Haven said about the prospect of her election to the post. “Am I as qualified as the others? Absolutely. We all just want to help the town and be its servant.”

Gerald Lilly, the third candidate on the ballot for second selectman, comes to the forefront with a long record of service to his lifelong hometown of Dresden.

Lilly has, for many years, served the town in the position of fire chief, managing all of the business, training, and emergency efforts for its residents in numerous occasions developing the department’s service to its current updated status with new firehouse facilities and all.

Lilly is no stranger at local board meetings where he offers advice and assistance in the affairs of his community and reports on all the activities of the fire department services and equipment.

A priority he wants to tackle if elected concerns budgetary matters and keeping a close watch on expenses of the town.

“I’d like to try to keep taxes down in the town,” Lilly said. “They’re really getting quite high. We’ve got to find a way to save people money.”

The new fire department’s Pownalborough Station looms high on Lilly's accomplishments for a small community, which unlike others of its size, has no comparable benefit. Thanks to his efforts to promote the endeavor and serving on its building committee, the town has a premier facility, second to few.

 His service of the community began many years ago when he was an eighth grader when he first became a member of the local fire department and has been serving ever since for a total of 40 years, serving as its fire chief for 30 of those years.

 In addition, Lilly has been a member of the Lincoln County Fire Chiefs Association and involved in its various joint activities, has served as a registered Maine guide for about 29 years and serves as a member of the Lincoln County search and rescue team.

Like the other candidates, Lilly would offer several skills he has acquired in his career not only with the town but as an employee of Bath Iron Works for 38 years responsible for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning in its facilities.

Property tax collector

Two candidates are seeking the office of property tax collector. 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.