BIDDEFORD — The 2017 November local election should be a low-key one.

Alan Casavant is pretty much a shoe-in to become mayor for his fourth consecutive term as he faces no opponents.

In addition, only two of the City Council races are contested. In both the Ward 1 and 2 races, incumbents will be facing off against opponents who have no previous council experience. Ward 1 Councilor Michael Swanton is running against Kathleen Russell, whom he defeated in 2015, 341-233. William “Bil” Morirarty, who has previously served on the School Committee, will face off against Ward 2 Councilor John McCurry.

Incumbent Councilors-at-Large Marc Lessard and Laura Seaver have no opponents for those two seats. Councilors Stephen St. Cyr, Ward 3, Robert Quattrone, Ward 4, Victoria Foley, Ward 5, Norman Belanger, Ward 6, and Michael Ready, Ward 7, are also  unopposed.

Running for a fourth term was a “no brainer,” said Casavant during a telephone interview Friday. “I think people are feeling really good about the city.”

The city’s purchase of the waste-to-energy incinerator Maine Energy Recovery Company during the mayor’s first term was a catalyst for development in the downtown and mill district, he said.

Maine Energy, located near both those areas for more than 25 years, was blamed by many for stalled redevelopment in the city center and mill district.

But with new development and businesses in both areas “we’re moving away from the stereotype of an old mill town to a new economy and new vibrancy,” said Casasvant.

He said he is running again, in part “to keep my hand on the rudder” and keep the city’s forward momentum going.

The November election is not likely to be controversial not only because of the lack of contested races but also because there are no local referendums. In recent past elections, voters have faced bonds for items like sewer and road improvements and the renovation of the City Hall clock tower, with mixed results.

Casavant said councilors discussed a bond to make improvement to the clock tower but decided not to put it on the ballot. However, he said, “If the city is going to be a leader,” renovations to the clock tower are badly needed as many view the structure as an embarrassment to the city.

Because a bond for clock tower renovations has been voted down by residents several times, he said, funding improvements may require a mix of city funds, grants and donations.

Another issue not on the November ballot is a bond for a parking garage, a project that has been bandied about for a number of years. Some city officials have said that a number of companies that would have brought numerous new jobs to the city have looked elsewhere because of the lack of parking.

If the city decides to go forward with building a parking garage — a decision that hasn’t been made — it’s unlikely voters will get a say on it, Casavant said. “We’ve said all along (garage) users will pay for the debt on the bond, not taxpayers.” That type of bond would require a revenue bond, not a municipal bond; City Council can make the decision to issue a revenue bond, he said.

Eight people are running for seven School Committee slots. These include incumbents Dennis Anglea, Crystal Blais, Dominic Deschambault, Anthony Michaud, Karen Ruel, Lisa Vadnais, as well as non-members of the committee, Vassie Fowler and Jerry Tremblay.

Only four people are running for the seven warden positions, all are uncontested races for their wards. Three are running for the seven ward clerk positions, they are also have no opponents for their wards.

The lack of contested races, said Casavant, is because “I think the people of Biddeford are happy with what’s going on.

“We’re at a really good, feel good place,” he said, “and that’s exciting.”

— Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be reached at 282-1535, ext. 324, or [email protected].