Dresden’s state primary/referendum and the town election are Tuesday, July 14 at Pownalborough Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available at the town office. They can be turned in until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Third selectman will be a contest between Selectman Allan Moeller and former selectman Dale Hinote. There are also vacancies for the Regional School Board 2 Board of Directors and the Budget Review Committee, according to Dresden Communicator.

Moeller said in a phone interview, “roads are my passion” and said he really feels serving the town is extremely important. He’s been on the board 10 years and feels he has the experience necessary to serve the town well, particularly with his knowledge of the budget. He feels most proud of getting many of the roads in much better shape and hopes to continue that work.

Moeller previously worked for Richmond for 30 years and is largely retired now but still spends much of his time helping the town with the roads and helping friends and neighbors with projects.

In terms of what he sees for the next three years, he hopes they can continue progress on the roads but also stabilize hires in the town office, particularly keeping a town clerk.

Hinote would also bring previous select board experience having served as chair from 2015 to 2018, he said in an email interview. He wrote, “Having had a chance to think about what I did right and what I would do differently as a selectman, I want to try again. The current select board lacks vision and I think I would bring a different perspective.”

As selectman his top priority would be the budget. “With COVID-19 likely to have a negative impact on incomes and tax collections in Dresden, we absolutely cannot risk putting ourselves in a hole. Most towns are cutting budgets. Our current selectmen are proposing to increase ours. This is not wise.” He also said he feels transparency and communication are extremely important for the town and the board. Hinote grew up in Dresden and is now retired.

Sabrina Doray, Donald Gleason, Dwight Keene and John Rzasa have sought the one year left on the first selectman’s term due to Trudy Foss’ resignation. Find a a March piece on these candidates at wiscassetnewspaper.com

The annual town meeting is 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at Pownalborough Hall. Selectmen have mentioned the possibility of multiple COVID-19 precautions and planned to discuss specifics July 7. Moeller doesn’t expect a very contentious town meeting. He said the budget is “pretty bare bones.”