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The contenders for two seats want to help the town's taxpayers get more for their money.

By ANN S. KIM, Staff Writer June 4, 2009

Six candidates are vying for two seats in the Board of Selectmen's race in Wells.

The field is made up of incumbent Joan Mooney, former selectman Robert Foley, former long-time town employee Scott Hilton, Ogunquit firefighter Christopher Brassard, and Wilber Gosbee and Karl Ekstedt, both of whom have been active on town boards.

Economic development is a chief concern in the race, especially with the closing of RR Donnelly, a printing plant that employed 374 people.

Brassard, Foley and Gosbee agreed that the town needs to be more proactive in filling the void left by RR Donnelly.

Brassard wants to work with the state's congressional delegation to explore how the town might use stimulus money. Gosbee, a Navy engineer, said the town should not rule out tax incentives and should review its regulations to determine whether they are keeping business away. Foley said the town needs to put together a marketing strategy and target businesses that could expand or relocate to the area.

Brassard also wants to encourage more tourism in Wells by promoting transportation options and possibly holding more events to draw visitors to town.

Water extraction is also an issue. Controversy stems from a proposed deal between Poland Spring and the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District that the water district has since abandoned.

Mooney, current chairwoman of the selectmen, opposes large-scale water extraction in town. The ordinance review committee, which Gosbee chairs, is working on regulations for such activity, and Mooney wants rules tight enough to effectively prevent large-scale extraction.

Mooney, the owner of an antiques business, sees her role as expressing the wishes of her constituents. She believes they are opposed to companies like Poland Spring extracting water from the community.

"They believe in me, they can trust me," Mooney said of constituents. "They feel I'm level-headed and have their interests at heart. And I have no personal agenda – whatever is their concern, absolutely."

She said she was similarly motivated when she worked to reduce the number of cottages that could be built per acre.

Gosbee sees a lot of discord on the board of selectmen and believes it's time for new blood. He believes he has benefited from his committee work, which also includes the zoning board of appeals and growth management advisory, Wells Junior High renovation, comprehensive plan and comprehensive plan implementation committees.

"I'm thinking perhaps different people could come together more and work on the business of running the town, which usually isn't political. It's about fixing roads and trucks and golly, that's not stuff people should have much disagreement over," said Gosbee.

Another big theme in this election is keeping taxes down while delivering services effectively.

Mooney said she has worked hard to keep the budget and property tax rate level because of the economy.

Brassard wants to make sure the town is spending money on needs – not wants – and is getting the most for its money. He said he is not opposed to contracting out to save money.

"I like to think that I represent a demographic that really isn't represented that well: the workers," said Brassard, president of the Ogunquit Professional Firefighters Association. "I represent the people who have to pay for the bailout."

Ekstedt, who has served on the town's budget, recycling and charter committees, believes the town is doing a good job, but should investigate how to use stimulus money and take advantage of green energy.

"I guess my approach is thinking outside the box. That affords us to improve the delivery of services within the constraints of keeping taxes low," said Ekstedt, general manager and president of Oceanside Rubbish. "If I had an agenda, that's the one I'm planning on operating in."

Hilton, who retired from...