HALLOWELL — Mayor Mark Walker says that with so many projects underway or upcoming, it’s important there be continuity within city government.

Walker was the only person to qualify for the ballot in November’s mayoral election, so absent a write-in candidate scoring a major upset, he’ll be re-elected to his third term in office. Walker also said it would be his final term.

He was unopposed in both of his previous victories, but he thought someone might have challenged him this time to bring a new face into city government.

Walker said he wants to stay in office to see several large projects in the city be completed, including the construction of a fire station, continued redevelopment at Stevens Commons and the Water Street reconstruction.

“We’re getting close to the end on those three things, and I feel obligated and a desire to see them through,” Walker said during an interview in his Water Street office. “They are major things that will change the foundation of the city.”

When Walker gave his inaugural address in January 2016, one of his big goals was to invest in and improve the city’s infrastructure.

In April, voters approved a $2.36 million bond package that Walker was a strong and vocal proponent of, and those funds are being used to improve roads at Stevens Commons and in rural Hallowell, improve downtown parking, and restore and rehabilitate other city-owned properties.

The bond package was controversial, and he told the council at a retreat in December that decisions related to the bond issue or the future of the fire department weren’t going to make everyone in Hallowell happy.

“At some point, though, you have to make a fact-based decision that you hope will please as many people as possible,” Walker said.

Walker, an attorney and lobbyist for more than 30 years, said he has enjoyed serving the city and seeing government function from the other side.The mayor said his legal background has been an advantage as hes navigated ordinances, city policy and regulations, contracts and other negotiations, and financial problems.

Under an amended Hallowell charter approved by voters last year, the next mayor will serve three years instead of two. If Walker is elected, he’ll ultimately have led Hallowell for seven years after having spent many years before that on the council.

Nomination papers were due Sept. 5 ahead of Election Day on Nov. 7. Councilor George LaPointe, chairman of the finance committee, is the only candidate for his at-large seat. Councilors Michael Frett and Diano Circo are unopposed to represent Ward 2 and Ward 4, respectively, and Chris Myers-Asch is running unopposed for a seat on the Regional School Unit 2 board.

Jason Pafundi can be contacted at 621-5663 or at:

jpafundi@centralmaine.com

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