This year’s Boothbay selectmen’s race may be as much about the town’s recent past as it is about its future. In the past two years, the town has seen controversy: The 2016 voter-approved $1.3 million Route 27 Redevelopment Project and prolonged debate and legal challenges over Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ expansion project are still fresh in residents’ minds.

This year, three candidates are vying for two three-year terms. Incumbents Steve Lewis and Dale Harmon seek re-election. Their challenger is Mike Pander, who served five years as a planning board appointee. He also ran unsuccessfully for selectman in 2014.

Lewis, 48, is a three-term selectman. Harmon, 48, is a four-term selectman. Both are lifelong Boothbay residents and Boothbay Region High School graduates. Harmon also spent one year studying building construction at Central Maine Technical College.

Pander, 66, is a Connecticut native who graduated with an English degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs. He is a retired director of campus safety and security. He spent 15 years in the University of Connecticut system before accepting a similar position at Bowdoin College in Brunswick.

Pander believes in change and thinks now is a good time for turnover on the select board. His candidacy was prompted by several friends and neighbors urging him to run.

“I wanted to give voters a choice,” he said. “I think turnover is good. A change in personnel is warranted, and I’d like to be that person.”

Lewis is the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District station manager. He began working at the refuse center in 1990. In this election, he has the same goals as when he first ran for selectman in 2009. “This is my hometown. I wanted to do good things for the community. I believe that is what the board has done. And I want to continue doing so.”

Harmon is an 18-year Boothbay Region Water District employee. He is a Class IV foreman. During his water district tenure, he has witnessed a major change in the region. “In 2015, we had more seasonal customers than year round, a trend I have seen for a while,” he said.

Harmon first ran for selectman in 2008 after a conversation with an “older gentleman” about town politics. Eventually, the man convinced Harmon to seek office. Harmon served a three-year term, then was defeated by Douglas Burnham in 2011. A year later, Harmon ran again and won. He has served ever since. “In that conversation, the man told me ‘You’re either part of the solution or the part of the problem.’ After a bit more conversation about why I couldn’t be a selectman, he convinced me to take out my papers.”

Harmon described himself  as a “community-minded person.” During his tenure as a selectman, he’s learned a lot about Boothbay. “It’s definitely been a new territory and I’m still learning. But I will always do what’s best for the town, not what makes me look good.”

All three candidates want Boothbay to become a destination for young families. Pander supports the Joint Economic Development Committee’s work in the past few years. He believes the JEDC and other local organizations are critical to promoting Boothbay’s assets to attract young families.

Pander favors developing more affordable housing. He believes if commuters began looking at existing housing ranging from $169,000 to $200,000 it would “jumpstart” existing housing stock while the community develops more affordable options.

“We have a lot of people working here. I wish more lived here,” he said. “If you take the cost of driving to Boothbay five days a week, and instead, spend those dollars on housing, I think people would realize Boothbay is a lot more affordable than they think.”

The lack of affordable housing has been a major obstacle to economic growth for decades. According to Lewis, the challenge is finding available property for development. Also, Boothbay has height restrictions which limit expansion options. “I think what needs to happen is someone willing to make the investment in affordable year round housing instead of investing in seasonal rentals.”

Harmon believes Boothbay’s path toward economic success lies in supporting small businesses and increasing the tax base. “We need to stimulate economic growth and responsible government. What I often hear, instead, is we need to change back to the way it was. As a lifelong resident, I believe that’s a path we can’t afford.”

The Route 27 Redevelopment Project created the biggest controversy in Boothbay during Lewis’ and Harmon’s tenure. They both supported the business partnership initiative which joined Boothbay, Maine Department of Transportation and local businessman Paul Coulombe as the project’s financial agents. The construction of a roundabout near Boothbay Common and the municipal building had vehement opposition.

Lewis believes the project was “absolutely the right thing to do” and it will improve motor vehicle safety and create a better experience for summer tourists. Over time, Lewis believes it will promote economic development in the region. “We need the infrastructure in place before doing anything. It’s a dangerous intersection, and I think once people get used to it, the roundabout will show its worth.”

Harmon agrees with Lewis. “I’m still convinced this is a good traffic improvement,” he said. “I’m also hearing from people who voted against it, now saying they don’t know why they were so concerned about it. And once it’s completed and beautified, I’m sure more will feel the same.”

Pander didn’t offer his view on whether or not the Route 27 Redevelopment Project was needed. As a selectman, he would support completing the project as soon as possible. “It’s over,” he said.  “The question now is making sure it’s done in a timely manner and make sure it looks good. And I’m sure it will.”

Residents are also divided about the select board’s 4-1 decision March 28 to enter into a consent decree with CMBG to end two lawsuits against the town. Lewis and Harmon voted in favor of the decree. On April 25, U.S. District Judge Jon Levy approved the agreement. A Maine Superior Court judge is considering dismissing the final legal challenge facing Boothbay on the Gardens’ expansion project.

As selectmen, Lewis and Harmon are under a court’s gag order on the three lawsuits. Pander declined to speak on the specifics of the proposed settlement, but he offered one observation. “I’m not privy to all the documentation and discussion resulting from the lawsuits, but it appears to me, that early on the board telegraphed they didn’t have an appetite to vigorously defend the lawsuit,” he said.

Lewis characterized his last two years as a selectman as significantly different than the first seven. He still wants to serve despite the recent controversies. “I know you can’t please everybody, but the last couple years have been difficult. I want to be part of the solution, and believe what I’ve done has been in the town’s best interests.”

Pander regularly watches selectmen’s meetings on the municipal website. He thinks there is too much acrimony between the current select board members. He believes his training and experience as a mediator would result in a better relationship among board members. “I’d take a ‘Let’s talk about it approach,’ or if we have to knock heads, at least when it’s over walk out as friends.”

The 2018 selectmen’s race is unlike anything seen in recent municipal elections. The Boothbay Register has received 33 letters to the editor on it. Citizens held political rallies in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor hoping to draw attention to the hotly contested election. Public discussion about the advantages of strategic voting  or the “bullet ballot” have emerged. That is when residents cast one vote instead of two.

One letter to the editor questioned a candidate’s past action as a town official. Boothbay Harbor resident Frank Fassett’s April 26 letter “I like Mike too, but...” questioned Pander’s vote against approving an application which met all 10 findings of fact. Following the vote, Fassett asked Pander why he voted no. “When I requested an explanation Mike told me ‘It’s not the practice to question each member of the board why they voted the way they did.’ I didn’t receive an answer, but I was promised one.”

Responding to a request for comment on Fassett’s letter, Pander on April 26 described Fassett’s letter as “an incomplete describing of the hearing.” The planning board voted unanimously on 10 findings of fact showing applicant Win Mitchell, for his Boothbay Craft Brewery & Tavern, had met town requirements for a year-round restaurant. The board 3-2 in favor of approving the application. Pander cast one of the dissenting votes.

“My vote hinged on a definition, not part of the litany of (findings of fact). The code disallowed taverns. I thought it was more of a tavern than restaurant, and I voted against it,” said Pander. He didn’t recall Fassett asking for an explanation.The board voted July 3, 2012, on Mitchell’s application and again on July 25, 2012, because changes were made to the previous document, and it was retyped.

“We’re talking about a meeting which happened six years ago. I don’t think the question was asked,” Pander said.  “Had he asked, I think we would’ve had a conversation about it.”

The July 25, 2012 minutes recorded Fassett asking both members casting negative votes for a reason. Neither member gave Fassett a reason.

All three candidates are active in the community. Lewis is a paramedic and serves on the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service Board of Directors. Pander is a volunteer mediator with the state Attorney’s General office. Harmon is a three-year Joint Economic Development Committee member.

Residents vote from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 7 in the municipal building. The following candidates are running unopposed: John Bertolet, Community School District Superintending Board; Troy Lewis, Community School District Trustee; Nell Tharpe, Boothbay Region Water District Trustee; and Kim W. Pinkham, Cemetery District Trustee.