TOPSHAM

Don Russell, currently chairman of the Board of Selectmen, faces Finance Committee member William K. Thompson Jr. for a threeyear term as selectman.

Russell seeks another term on the board in part because he said the current makeup of selectmen works well together, arriving at decisions that are the best for the town and with the support of the town manager. “It’s a well working board,” he said.

He added that the members of the board have respect for each other and can accept different opinions without ill feelings towards one another.

“I feel I can be a continued asset to the board with my years of experience, commitment and sense of civility,” Russell said. “I attend many of the committee meetings,” in addition to selectmen meetings, “and I feel it is important to do so to have a clear understanding of issues that come before the board.”

Thompson, who was recently appointed to a second term on the Finance Committee by selectmen, said he is running because his experience on the Finance Committee allows him a lower learning curve.

The municipal budget is important, he said, and he feels well suited to do the job given his familiarity with the town’s financial situation.

Townspeople “want to know what their taxes are going to be, because it affects them,” he said. As a Finance Committee member, “I’m pretty well immersed in it.”

Thompson said the town’s greatest challenge is keeping property taxes affordable as the state slices the town’s revenue.

Despite the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station and the “new normal of decreased revenue and slow economic growth,” Thompson said the town is doing fiscally well.

“What I’d like to see us do is keep the tax rate reasonable to help attract businesses and residents alike. By expanding the tax base that will allow us to keep offering services that residences and businesses expect.”

Russell listed several issues the town has to work on, agreeing that every town is struggling with increasing demands and less state money.

Specifically, he pointed to redevelopment of the Military

Triangle in the former Topsham Annex, infrastructure on the west side of Interstate 295 and on U.S. Route 201; development of the Route 196 plan from the I-295 overpass to the Lisbon town line; and development of public space in the area of the former fire station.

“And I think the last thing that is always out there is public participation,” Russell said.

Russell and Thompson agree the town is doing a good job balancing its resources and controlling the tax rate.

I think the town is doing a good job,” Thompson said. “I know the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee work hand in hand and we literally go line by line through the budget and look at what is being asked of the taxpayer. We do a good job with the funds we have.”

Russell said 85 to 90 percent of the municipal budget is fixed costs selectmen have no control over, with much of the budget made up of labor and insurance costs.

Russell said he would be a good selectman because of the experience he has and the background of serving on the majority of boards in town.

Thompson, who emphasized he is not an “agenda candidate,” decided to retire in Topsham with his wife and wanted to give back to the community, “because I think I have the skills that would help the town and I want to contribute to the community.”

If he’s not elected, Thompson said he’ll run for the next open seat on the board.

As a Finance Committee member now, “I’ll be at the (budget) deliberations, it just depends on what side of the table I’m sitting on.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com

Name: Don Russell Age: 75 Education: B.S., University of Maine. Occupation: Semi-retired, operates residential rental proper ties Political experience: Selectman (2002-05, 2009-present), School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors, Planning Board, Finance Committee, Board of Appeals, Board of Directors of Topsham Development Inc., Comprehensive Planning Committee, Topsham Redevelopment Authority, Sagadahoc County Budget Advisory Committee and Sagadahoc County Board of Assessment Review.

Name: William K. Thompson Jr. Age: 51 Education: B.S. in Management and M.B.A. from Southern New Hampshire University Occupation: Analyst at Bath Iron Works, was in Navy 24 years, 11 of which he served at Brunswick Naval Air Station Political experience: Topsham Finance Committee since 2009, serving second term expiring 2015