WINDHAM – For the first time, voters will elect a slate of councilors on the November ballot, which now includes a crowded field of candidates and a hot-button referendum question.

As a result of a change in Windham’s charter, new councilors will be chosen in November, rather than during voting in early June as has been tradition. Voters throughout town are also able to vote for each of the four open seats, even if the seat is not in their district.

Also on the ballot is a referendum question regarding the purchase of property on Swett Road known as the Clark Farm.

With no school board races and Linda Morrell the lone candidate for town clerk, all eyes will be on the 12 candidates vying for four open seats on the town council.

Priscilla Cutts, David Nadeau, Brad Saucier and William Tracy are running for a three-year at-large seat vacated by Elizabeth Wisecup, who is instead running for a one-year at-large seat.

Tommy Gleason, Robert Muir, and Matthew Noel are vying for a three-year seat representing Windham’s West district. Muir has held the seat since 2003.

Stephen Demetriou and Scott Hayman are running for the one-year North district seat. The winner of that race will serve out the rest of Kaile Warren’s term, who vacated the seat due to health reasons last December.

Lastly, Peter Busque, David Lydon and Elizabeth Wisecup are vying for a one-year at-large seat which opened in July when former councilor Blaine Davis moved to Florida.

Clark Farm referendum

The other local item on Windham’s ballot Nov. 3 is the preservation of the Clark farm and forest on Swett Road in Windham. Voters will be asked to support a $1 million bond that will be paid out over 20 years. Including interest, estimated at $550,000, the total amount Windham taxpayers would pay is about $1.55 million over the life of the loan.

The property is currently owned by Larry and Ann Clark, who intend to retire and sell the property, which is valued at $2.6 million. Over the last several years, the Windham Land Trust has raised $1.4 million in grants and donations toward the purchase but has approached the town for the additional $1 million. The land trust intends to raise the additional $200,000 through private donations.