RAYMOND – The only local item on the ballot in November is a race between Charles Leavitt and Samuel Gifford for a short-term seat on the board of selectmen.

The winner will serve out the remainder of former chairman Mark Gendron’s term, which ends June 2010. Gendron resigned early for personal reasons.

Gifford is an author and retired business executive. Leavitt is a former selectmen who is president of Morrissey Environmental, an asbestos, lead and mold mitigation firm based in Lewiston.

Gifford, in his early 70s and a resident of 546 Webbs Mills Road, said he’s running because he “loves the town of Raymond and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to serve. And the best way for me to serve is on the board of selectmen. I have some ideas that will preserve and enhance life in the town of Raymond.”

Leavitt, 55, of 14 Leavitt Road, said he offers the town useful experience. “I probably represent one of the more experienced voices in the community regarding policies and budget. I have no intentions of serving beyond the five or six months to fill out Mark’s term,” he said.