Residents in Sanford and the three towns that make up Regional School Unit 21 will be asked to approve their local school budgets at the polls on June 4. Several towns also have municipal elections, with some contested seats in select boards and even one non-binding question in Kennebunkport about Christmas Prelude.
Here’s everything on the ballots in Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Arundel and Sanford.
RSU 21
The RSU 21 budget validation goes to voters in the three towns, Kennebunkport, Kennebunk and Arundel, in June. The $64.8 million spending plan was approved by the school board at a district budget meeting on May 4.
Last year, the RSU 21 budget failed twice before receiving final approval from voters in November. Superintendent Martin Grimm said in March that he feels this proposed budget is fiscally responsible and allows the school district to provide its students with as many opportunities as possible.
Kennebunkport
In addition to the RSU 21 budget validation, Kennebunkport’s June election will determine who holds one select board seat in the town’s only contested race. The seat is currently held by Mary Beth Gilbert, who is running as the incumbent against Andrew Welch.
One notable question on the ballot is a non-binding resolution asking voters how much they believe the town should pay for Christmas Prelude, if anything.
The question asks voters whether they want town funding to cover either none of the municipal costs of Prelude, up to $17,500 (covering roughly the first weekend) or up to $35,000 (covering most of the municipal costs).
Kennebunkport also has an uncontested race for one RSU 21 school board seat, with Diane Franz on the ballot for reelection.
Also on the ballot is an amendment to the town’s land use ordinance.
The amendment includes language that allows for landowners to receive approval on alternative plans in parking lots, such as for valet-based parking. The ordinance specifies that any alternative plans must be approved by emergency services and the town’s planning board, to ensure no safety codes are broken and that the alternative parking format is manageable by the applicant.
Kennebunk
Kennebunk residents will vote whether to approve the town’s $30.27 million municipal budget.
The ballot also includes three uncontested races for school board directors: Wayne Sargent and Ashley O’Brien are running as incumbents, and Joseph M. Masters is running for a currently open seat.
There is also a select board race on the Kennebunk ballot, where voters must pick two from a list of three candidates: Michael Bresnahan, Elizabeth Kaknes and Rachel Lacker.
In addition to the RSU 21 budget validation, Kennebunk will also vote on two trustee positions: one for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District, and one for the Kennebunk Light and Power district.
Arundel
Arundel has two contested races, both for one school board seat and one select board seat.
On the school board, Mandy Cummings is running for reelection against Joshua Allen; on the select board, Thomas Danylik is running for reelection, opposite Alfred Schutz.
There is also an uncontested race for the budget board, where Melanie Mitchell is running for reelection.
Sanford
Sanford’s June election ballot only consists of the Sanford School Department’s budget validation. The City Council approved a total budget of $74 million to go to the voters in June.
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