HARPSWELL — There will only be one name on the ballot for an open select board seat in Harpswell: Jane Covey.
Covey was the only candidate to file nomination papers by the deadline after incumbent Selectman Rick Daniel announced he would not seek reelection late last week. Her name will be the only one on the ballot, though other interested candidates could run a write-in campaign.
“I knew that there would be a position open — I had been informed about that — and it just seemed like personally an okay time to (run),” said Covey. “I have a general interest in contributing to the town.”
“I want to use the time between now and town meeting really to get a better sense of what the issues are that people are concerned about,” she added. Near the top of her list of concerns are the potential affects of sea level rise and climate change on Harpswell and other coastal communities.
She also pointed to infrastructure issues that the town needs to address, such as the town’s fire stations and upgrading the transfer station.
Covey is no stranger to Harpswell town government. Covey has worked with the Harpswell Community Garden since its inception, and through that work got involved with the Mitchell Field Committee, which works on the redevelopment of the former Navy property.
Covey has also been active in the Harpswell Invasive Plants Partnership, a joint effort between the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, the Harpswell Town Lands Committee, the Harpswell Conservation Commission, the Harpswell Recreation Committee and the Harpswell Garden Club.
Though now retired, Covey also brings 20 plus years of experience working with nongovernment organizations.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and hopefully it will help the town,” said Covey. “I know it will be beneficial to me. It will be a learning experience.”
Daniel announced late last week that he will not be seeking reelection at the March town meeting for personal reasons.
“I have some things that I would like to do and some things I need to do of which I believe that the interests of both here and for the town couldn’t be split. I’ve enjoyed my time here.”
Daniel was first elected to the board in 2013, and has served as chair of the board for much of his time in office.
Town meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 9.
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