WATERBORO — Voters on Tuesday will elect two selectmen, an RSU 57 school director and a water district trustee. They’ll also vote on two referendums on the municipal ballot: Whether to approve an updated Comprehensive Plan that sets the tone for the future of the community and whether to borrow money for a new salt and sand shed.

All but one of the candidates for selectmen took part in a Candidates Night forum, held last month. Information about the candidates for this story came from that forum.

Seeking a three year term on the selectmen’s board incumbent Gordon Littlefield, Maine House Republican Dwayne Prescott and Peter McHugh III, who was not present at the forum. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Seeking to serve the two years remaining on a term formerly held by Sen. David Woodsome, who resigned due to the press of senate responsibilities, are Tim Neill, Dwayne Woodsome and Theodore “Ted” Doyle.

Littlefield is seeking a third term, running, he said, to see that as the town progresses and grows, the quality of life currently enjoyed is retained. He said he’s concerned about infrastructure and pointed out that, at times, municipal needs have been shelved in order to fund the school system so as not to overburden taxpayers. He said selectmen have to work with the planning board to structure growth. Littlefield, is a former deputy police chief, sees a need for a larger law enforcement presence. Waterboro presently has a 40 hour contract deputy along with general county patrol services.

Prescott, a member of the Planning Board, said he owns a lot of property in Waterboro and when it passes on to the next owner, he wants to see it is “straight as an arrow when it comes to town hall.” He pointed out that Waterboro is a fast-growing community and that he doesn’t want to see it lose its small town appeal. He said the budget needs a hard look. Prescott said he sees a need for another contract deputy, but not its own police force. In response to a question about divvying his time between his responsibilities in Augusta and in Waterboro, Prescott said he’s able to do both.

Neill, one of three candidates for the two year term, served on the Planning Board for eight years, the last two as chairman, before resigning a few months ago. He’s been a member of the 2020 Committee that crafted the Comprehensive Plan that goes to voters in this election. He agrees that the school system takes a big tax bite, and said the only way to offset that is with new businesses to broaden the tax base.

“To do that, you need a totally independent Planning Board that works without interference,” he said. Neill believes the town needs to look at hiring more contract deputies or form its own police department.

Woodsome is a farmer who now works for the Maine Department of Transportation. He was a selectman for two years in the early 2000s and has served on a number of committees. He said the current charter is not being followed as it should be, adding that the town’s roads are in tough shape. Woodsome said he’d like to see the sheriff’s office rotate the six contract deputies who work in various communities every few months.

Doyle, retired from the military, moved here with his family a decade ago and works part-time for the school system. He chairs the town’s Public Safety Committee and sees a need for increased law enforcement. Even though Waterboro has the services of patrol deputies when the 40 hour per week contract deputy needs help or is off-duty, he pointed out those services are shared. He believes Waterboro needs at least two more contract deputies. He pointed out that Waterboro has several infrastructure needs.

For RSU 57 school director: Rebekah Roy is the sole candidate, even though Michael Hayes’ name is on the ballot. He has withdrawn, but that came too late to remove his name from the ballot.

Incumbent David Benton is unopposed for Waterboro Water District trustee.

The first referendum question asks voters for approval for a bond of $700,000, to be used for a new salt and sand shed. The town currently has no bonded debt. Proponents say the new salt and sand shed is needed, as the current one leaks, said Public Works director Douglas Foglio, and has the capacity to hold only enough materials for 2-3 storms. He said the DEP has endorsed a new shed because it would cap one site of an old lagoon built years ago to hold tannery wastes.

The second question on the ballot asks voters to approve the new Comprehensive Plan. The 20/20 Committee has been working on the new plan for three years. It is seen as a guidepost to the future, as to how the town might look and develop over the next several years.

Voters may cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Massabesic East School on the Massabesic campus, 84 West Road.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.