Some seat-holders running, some not

Tue, 04/05/2022 - 02:40 am

SUSAN JOHNS

File photo

Two major Wiscasset panels will each have at least one new face after the June elections. School Committee Chair Michael Dunn and selectmen Kim Andersson and Pam Dunning are not seeking new terms.

Selectmen’s Chair Sarah Whitfield and school committee member Jason Putnam said they will seek to keep their seats.

According to information from Town Clerk Linda Perry, the selectboard has three two-year terms up for election; school committee, two three-year terms; budget committee, two one-year terms, two two-year terms and three three-year terms; and water district board of trustees, two three-year terms and a two-year term.

Candidates need to collect at least 25 but not more than 100 registered voters’ signatures and return nomination papers to the town office by 5 p.m. April 14. If any questions, contact Perry at 882-8200, extension 4.

Voters first elected Dunn in June 2014, to finish Sharon Nichols’ term after she resigned. Dunn told Wiscasset Newspaper Monday, he stayed on for his latest term because the committee had hired Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood and he “wanted to follow through and support her.

“With Terry leaving and (the department) having to start over with another new superintendent, I just felt like it was time to move on as well,” Dunn said. Wood has resigned, effective June 30.

Why is Andersson not running? “I think two terms is fair and now I should move aside so the next person can step up to serve,” she replied Monday to an email seeking her plans.

Dunning has served eight years on the selectboard. Between that service and six years on the budget committee, plus three years on Maine Municipal Association’s legislative policy committee, she said in a letter to the editor after Wiscasset Newspaper asked her intentions this election, “I feel that I have done my part to further the town of Wiscasset and am leaving the board in good hands.

“I want to thank the people of Wiscasset for putting their trust in me and supporting me during my service,” Dunning wrote.