WINDHAM – Five candidates will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot vying for three open seats on the Windham Town Council.

Incumbent Peter Anania and former Councilor Robert Muir have returned nomination papers for a three-year, at-large seat on the Town Council.

Newcomer Roy Moore is running uncontested for the North District, now held by Anania.

Incumbent Kevin Call and former Councilor Donna Chapman are running for a seat representing the South District.

Call did not return his candidate questionnaire or phone calls by print deadline for the Lakes Region Weekly.

Each candidate was asked the same set of questions. Their responses follow:

At-large

Peter Anania

Age: 58

Address: 90 Brown Cove Road, Windham

Education: MBA from the University of Southern Maine in 1981

Occupation: Business owner

Political experience: Windham Town Council

Q: What is motivating you to run for Town Council?

A: I want to continue to help the town deal with its current growth trajectory and make it is the most admired town in the state of Maine. The town needs to upgrade its infrastructure from facilities, access to utilities, streetscapes, roads, zoning ordinances, etc.

Q: With the town set to begin an update of its Comprehensive Master Plan, where should the town focus future growth?

A: Wherever the marketplace and the town’s citizens want to see the focus of the town’s future growth. We will learn this through the many public hearings that will be held throughout the process. Once we get this feedback, the council needs to lead and implement the plan.

Q: Do you believe the town should pursue a wastewater facility for North Windham to address pollution concerns in the aquifer?

A: Yes, we need to look at all the options for wastewater in North Windham. There are new technologies that may allow the town to target a system to just the businesses along Route 302 in North Windham. As of yet, I am not sure which system makes the most sense for the town, but we should look at all of the options that fall between doing nothing and the voter-rejected large sewer system.

Q: Would you support an overhaul of the public works garage?

A: If this would allow our public works division to perform more efficiently, yes, I would support it. We need to start a discussion around what the needs are for the garage.

Q: Are there any other facility improvements you would pursue?

A: Yes. We need to look at sports facilities and the North Windham Fire Barn. I would also like to see the town find a way to gain real public access to the Chute Cemetery off Chute Road.

Q: What other issues do you think are most pressing for Windham? And what would you do to address them?

A: We need to improve the streetscape in North Windham – sidewalks, underground utilities, lighting, etc. Perhaps something like Westbrook did on Wayside Drive or Raymond has done with their Route 302 corridor. We need to continue the current planning that is going on and follow through with what the community decides. We will also need to find funding sources (state, federal and/or private) that will not necessarily raise property taxes.

Robert Muir

Age: 66

Address: 59 Northwood Drive, Windham

Education: Ward Technical, University of Hartford, electronics

Occupation: Retired

Political experience: Windham Town Councilor 2003 to 2009. Served as vice chairman once, chairman twice, member of finance committee, member of the appointments committee, served as parliamentarian. Member of Windham Charter Review Study Committee. Member of the Windham 21st Century Downtown Plan Committee.

Q: What is motivating you to run for Town Council?

A: Windham is facing more challenges than ever before. There are many issues the council will be addressing in the coming months. A new type of zoning will be on the agenda along with continued discussions about wastewater treatment (sewer). Town services to citizens and how to fund them will be decided along with the needs of the elderly and the taxes we all pay. Windham is my home (42 years), and I want to use the experience I have gained as a council member and be part of the discussions that will affect all of us.

Q: With the town set to begin an update of its Comprehensive Master Plan, where should the town focus future growth?

A: The idea of having a centrally located commercial area is nothing new. The market itself was the driving force behind the development being located in North Windham. One of the most important things is to make sure the placement of businesses and residential dwellings do not create problems of coexistence. The balance between commercial and residential development and where these areas will be located can only be decided after a thorough discussion with town’s people. Residents have many varied interests that the plan must reflect. They should have the final say. I want to represent their views.

Q: Do you believe the town should pursue a wastewater facility for North Windham to address pollution concerns in the aquifer?

A: I want to see any discussion of this nature start with an independent third-party review of existing data and its interpretation. The idea of having taxpayers foot the bill for wastewater treatment was soundly rejected in the last referendum, and I totally agree. I will work to see that individual homeowners will not have their taxes raised as a result of any implementations. If there are commercial areas that need to be addressed, new technologies need to be explored. There are systems available that would provide high levels of filtering if such filtering is indicated.

Q: Would you support an overhaul of the public works garage? Are there any other facility improvements you would pursue?

A: Yes. Town trucks remain outside in winter due to lack of space in the garage. Not being able to wash winter salt off the trucks means their life spans are greatly reduced, which costs taxpayers. Maintaining and improving municipal buildings is an ongoing process that should be looked at from time to time. Improvements cost money, and I will work to find additional funding for any facility improvements. Reducing the burden, in any area, on taxpayers is a major priority for me.

Q: What other issues do you think are most pressing for Windham? And what would you do to address them?

A: Long-range planning needs to be thoroughly addressed. Spot zoning to accommodate certain interests is not planning. I will look carefully at any zoning changes that come before the council. I want to see ordinances written that will encourage sensible growth and then be enforced. I am particularly concerned about protecting homeowner’s rights when the subject of zoning comes up. I would like to see more diversity in appointments to committees. I believe all sectors of the public should be represented, especially when deciding issues of what Windham will look like in the future.

North District

Roy Moore

(uncontested)

Age: 58

Address: 960 Roosevelt Trail, Windham

Education: Logan College of Chiropractic in Missouri

Occupation: Owner of Moore Chiropractic and Wellness Center, owner of Seacoast Fun Park

Political experience: None

Q: What is motivating you to run for Town Council?

A: Short answer is I’ve been in the town about 32 years as a multiple-business owner, but I just have more time now as I am starting to cut back on some of my other jobs. I thought it would help out by having a business background. I just want to help shape the town’s current policy and look into their needs and future goals.

Q: With the town set to begin an update of its Comprehensive Master Plan, where should the town focus future growth?

A: I haven’t had adequate time to look at the master plan. I have seen some of it; most of it was around development of the roads and sidewalks system and trying to get the North District expanded. I haven’t had time to form comments on that, as of yet. It requires more collaboration of people who produced the plan. I like to stand back and ask a lot of questions, and listen, before I come up with too many conclusions.

Q: Do you believe the town should pursue a wastewater facility for North Windham to address pollution concerns in the aquifer?

A: Yes. I absolutely believe it. Like I said, I’ve been here 32 years and this question came around 32 years ago in Windham when there was a lot less structure and a lot less business. It is still there, and I believe we need to deal with it at some level, through the north end through the heaviest commercial district, in phases. I expect if we are going to grow, we need to have some type of sewer system.

Q: Would you support an overhaul of the public works garage? Are there any other facility improvements you would pursue?

A: I would have to see it. I haven’t had the opportunity to look at some of these things that are pressing, and again, I would want to assess it and see where the problems lie before having an answer.

Q: What other issues do you think are most pressing for Windham? And what would you do to address them?

A: One of my concerns as a businessman in the town is the fact that Windham, which is a good-size town, had to cut operating hours from five days to four. The town [office] is only open Monday through Thursday. From a business side, I want to pursue why that had to happen. It’s not exactly helpful, especially for people trying to expand businesses. It was done some time in the last year or so, and I believe it was to save money. If you take 20 percent of your open hours away from people in town who are trying to develop and create businesses, it creates scheduling problems.

South District

Donna Chapman

Age: 54

Address: 46 Batchelder Road, Windham

Education: Currently in an associate’s degree program for behavioral health and human services at SMCC

Occupation: Full-time student

Political experience: Windham Town Council, 2007-2010

Q: What is motivating you to run for Town Council?

A: I enjoy helping people. This is my way of giving back to my community and making sure the citizens have a voice that listens to their concerns.

Q: With the town set to begin an update of its Comprehensive Master Plan, where should the town focus future growth?

A: That is an interesting question, I would be afraid to lock in a comprehensive plan that only focuses on certain areas of the town. I am not sure that a plan would be accepted by the state of Maine that did not cover the whole town. We need to focus on the town as a whole. We have a vibrant agricultural aspect in our town that should be considered. Take a look at the South Windham area and our historic areas. With access to the Presumpscot River, it would be nice to see some form of development that would enhance the natural resources of that area. Our town has been recognized as a bedroom community. What attracts people here and keeps them here? All those aspects need to be considered when a comprehensive plan is done, and the citizens of Windham should have input on the new plan.

Q: Do you believe the town should pursue a wastewater facility for North Windham to address pollution concerns in the aquifer?

A: First, we have to show that pollution to our groundwater does exist, and if that is the case Portland Water District was given a charge by legislation (Act to Codify Ch.84. P. & S. L. 1975). The district has the authority to develop regional municipal wastewater systems in Windham to protect the water supply. I would most certainly like to work with PWD if it came to that for a sewer in the North Windham district, providing a few things. Since the water supply from Sebago Lake supplies most, if not all, of Cumberland County, I would want to see the members of the Town Council, our state representatives and our Washington, D.C. delegates all work together to assist PWD in seeking federal funds for a project of this size so as not to burden our taxpayers and businesses in Windham alone. After all, this water supply benefits all of Cumberland County. We all have to work together to protect our greatest natural resources.

I feel that more discussion needs to be done and the need has to be proven. In the past, voters decided that sewer was not necessary at this time. Again, I state we need a better cost-effective plan with a project of this size.

Q: Would you support an overhaul of the public works garage? Are there any other facility improvements you would pursue?

A: We will need to address public works at some point. Review of the capital improvement plan, what buildings are first in line and where does the funding come from. Why the capital improvement plan is not effective currently. Is it lack of funding? Will we need to seek bonds? It is difficult when you only receive 14 percent of the town’s total budget. So we will have to take a look at what is the most pressing need for public works and start there.

Q: What other issues do you think are most pressing for Windham? And what would you do to address them?

A: I want to revisit the Skate Park and the funding cut for supervision. I would also like to better understand why we have had many projects started and not completed. The BMX Bike Park, Anglers Road redevelopment. What we do to attract visitors as they pass through to their summer and winter vacation spots. How can we better support the business district around holidays? I would like to see the Historical Society’s Park done so that can be a great attraction for visitors. There was once talk of a grant writer for the town and nonprofits such as the Historical Society to assist them and the town with grants. What happened to that position? We all need to work together in order to make Windham a vibrant community. We have a beautiful town filled with history, agriculture, shopping and dining. Winter and summer recreation, trails, and we need to make certain that is promoted and to benefit those of us who live and work here, while we maintain the rural town character we are accustomed to.

Peter AnaniaRobert MuirRoy MooreDonna Chapman