Staff Writer

With elections slated for Tuesday, June 9 and town meetings to follow, residents in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel have a number of warrant articles to decide as well as various positions to elect. 

Polls open in Kennebunkport at 8 a.m. at Village Fire Station on North Street to elect two selectmen from incumbent candidates Kristi Bryant and Allen Daggett and former Selectman Stuart Barwise. Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District Trustee James Burrows is running unopposed for reelection. Residents also will be asked to vote on six questions.

Questions one and two regard amendments to the fire code and false alarm ordinances.  Fire Chief Paul Moshimer said the amendments are designed to refine language in each article and hold residents with alarm systems more accountable if fire and police personnel respond to a false alarm. 

“When we receive a call, we are rolling up with 25 personnel on four or five pieces of [equipment] and it costs between $700 and $900 for those repetitious and nuisance calls,” Moshimer said. 

Question three regards changes to the shoreland zoning portion of the land use ordinance so the town can be in compliance with state recommendations for shoreland zoning. 

Question four regards continuing amendments to revise the comprehensive plan by the Growth Planning Committee. Assistant Code Enforcement Officer Werner Gilliam said the committee is nearly three-quarters through revisions to the comprehensive plan.

Question five clarifies language in the shellfish conservation ordinance, including prohibiting the shellfish conservation warden from holding a commercial license; allowing selectmen to set daily harvest restrictions for commercial diggers and further defining those who are eligible for shellfish licenses. 

Kennebunkport Town Meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, in the auditorium of the Consolidated School.  Residents will be asked to vote on 54 warrant articles regarding the municipal budget, transfers of surplus funds and town taxes and properties. 

In Kennebunk, polls open at 8 a.m. in the Edward C. Winston Town Hall Auditorium for residents to elect four selectmen from seven candidates – incumbent Al Searles, Deb Beale, Bruce Coyn, John Kotsonis, Rachel Phipps, David Spofford and William Ward.

Mark Allenwood and James Oppert are running for two uncontested seats as trustees to the sewer district, as is David Cluff as a trustee for the Kennebunk Light and Power District. 

Residents also will vote on six articles, which would authorize financing costs of capital projects; drainage improvements on Main Street; enhancements to the downtown area; sewer extension on Route 1 south; funding for the Kennebunk Shuttle and Shoreline Trolley and appropriating $50,000 for a non-lapsing open space account. 

Selectmen and the budget board recommend approval for capital projects, drainage improvements, downtown enhancements and sewer extension, but the budget board is not in favor of financing the trolley system or allocating funds for open space.

The remaining 28 articles will be addressed at Town Meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at the Edward C. Winston Town Hall Auditorium. Residents will be asked to vote on items regarding the municipal budget, other financial items, town taxes and properties and amendments to town ordinances. 

Arundel polls open at 8 a.m. at Central Fire Station to elect selectmen and budget board members. 

Incumbent Mark Paulin and newcomer Byron Kindley are running for the two uncontested seats on the board of selectmen, and there are no declared candidates for the five open seats on the budget board. 

Residents also will be asked to vote on 37 warrant articles at Town Meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10,  at the Mildred L. Day gymnasium.

The articles regard municipal budget changes to the land use ordinance and decisions regarding town taxes and property. 

To view warrants in detail, visit Kennebunkport Town Hall or www.kennebunkportme.gov, Kennebunk Town Hall or www.kennebunkmaine.us and Arundel Town Hall or www.arundelmaine.org. 

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237.