This year’s race for Edgecomb selectman has a contest. After three terms, Chairman Mike Smith decided not to run for another. His likely successor will be either George Chase or Timothy Harrington. They were the only candidates to return nomination papers, according to Town Clerk Claudia Coffin.

Chase serves as a school committee member and code enforcement officer. Harrington has lived in Edgecomb since 2021. He retired from the Merchant Marine and worked several years as a gas and oil inspector in Texas. 

In a 2022 Boothbay Register interview, Harrington said he was involved in manufacturing and distributing ukuleles. He also presented town officials with a Freedom of Access Act request which ultimately resulted in the board of selectmen seeking a protection order against voluminous emails from him. Harrington was arrested Nov. 9, 2022 for violation of a protection order. In December 2022, Dawn Murray resigned as a selectman due to the ongoing controversy.

On Aug. 24, 2022, Harrington explained his rationale in seeking town records. He was developing his property to create affordable housing in Edgecomb. He had “pending litagation” with an abutter which necessitated his seeking records.

In his bid for a selectman’s seat, Harrington wants to provide transparency in municipal government and “bring out the corruption of lies.” He also wants a better explanation of how tax dollars are spent especially by the school committee. “I want to represent all the people of Edgecomb to prevent taxation without representation,” he said.

Besides Edgecomb, Chase is also the code enforcement officer for Newcastle and Damariscotta. He also works per diem at Molnlycke Health Care in Wiscasset. Chase, 52, is an Edgecomb native. He was elected to the school committee two years ago as a write-in candidate. His term expires in 2025. Chase decided to run for selectman after Smith decided against seeking a fourth term. “Obviously, I wouldn’t be running if Mike was,” Chase said. “I want to help the town and want to make a significant contribution. Mike stepping down will leave a huge vacuum, and I’m hoping to fill that void.” If elected, Chase would have to resign from his town positions as school committee member and code enforcement officer.

The selectman seat is for a three-year term.

Planning Board Chairman Rebecca Graham is seeking another term. Leah Taylor is seeking a vacant planning board seat. Incumbent school committee member Nichole Price is not seeking another term. Irene Marchenay is the only candidate to return nomination papers. Planning board and school committee seats are for three-year terms.

There are also four one-year positions on the ballot. All four incumbents are seeking re-election unopposed: Claudia Coffin, town clerk and treasurer; Rebecca Brewer, tax collector; and Scott Griffin, road commissioner. 

The municipal election is Friday, May 17 at the town hall.