CHESTERVILLE – A longtime selectman resigned last week, leaving two vacancies on the board in advance of next month’s town meeting.
David Archer, a past board chair with 45-plus years of experience on the board, resigned Thursday evening, according to Town Clerk Heather Wheeler. Archer’s departure marks the second selectman to leave in the past few months: Josefa Hanson left the board in October.
Both Hanson and Archer’s terms were up this year, so the nomination process and elections for those three-year terms were already underway. Also up is Selectman Scott Gray’s one year term; Gray isn’t running for another term.
Archer’s absence from the board may be brief. Archer had previously informed Wheeler he would not be participating in the upcoming election, Wheeler said Monday. However, Archer had since contacted her to say that he would in fact participate in the election. Wheeler consulted Maine Municipal Association for direction and was advised that unless a candidate submits written intention to withdraw from an election, there was nothing preventing the candidate from changing their mind and staying in the race.
As such, Wheeler said Monday, there were four candidates for two, three-year terms on the Board of Selectmen. Archer, Tiffany Estabrook, Patricia Hastings and Matthew Welch are all running; the two candidates receiving the most votes will fill those two seats. Three candidates are running for the one-year term currently filled by Gray: Robert Clough Jr., Anne Lambert and Maitland Lord Jr.
Chesterville’s school board seat will also draw a new candidate. Director Ross Clair is not running for another term, according to Wheeler. Resident Craig Stickney returning the nomination papers.
Archer had not returned a request for comment by the time this article was posted. For her part, Hanson said she left the board in protest back in October after attempting to question the town intervening in what she termed as a private dispute over a gate across a road. Hanson said that she wasn’t allowed to question a letter the board had sent to a landowner, and as a result resigned.
“I could not tolerate that kind of behavior,” she said. It had been a difficult few months for the town for a variety of issues, she added. “Everyone’s pretty frustrated, I know that.”
The town meeting is a few weeks away, scheduled for March 14.
Dave,
I am glad that I had the privileged and pleasure working with you. You represented your town well at the county level. Thanks for all the service you have given.
Ryan Morgan
Dave,
I’m glad you are still running for the 3 year seat. You have a lot of knowledge and have served this town well. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you back in your seat March 14!
Let’s be honest here. I have attended many of the meetings including the last two. Why did Mr. Archer resign? In my opinion is his feeling were hurt when a motion to remove him as board chairman for making an illegal decision. No one person on a select board can make decisions without a majority of the board voting.
So, he resigned from the board only to run for his seat again in 4 weeks. What is going to stop him from resigning again, if in fact other decisions are made in the same manner? He has stated since July, that he was not running again because of health reasons. It’s about time, not only for Mr. Archer, but all town and elected officials became accountable for their actions. There have been many rumors floating about the town, many of which are based on poor information. I strongly urge you to attend a select boards meeting, and ask questions, get the facts before the elections.
With David back in where he belongs and with two new selectpersons elected, hopefully matters will be resolved in a more sane and intelligent manner. Residents are fed up with all the haggle over “the road that isn’t a road”. A simple resolution to an uncomplicated matter should be reached quickly once all the facts are in place.
Dave is a good man that has tons of knowledge – and that knowledge is very valuable. I wish people could appreciate what they have when they have it!
So many people have leaned on David for all that he knows about the towns
business. He is appreciated by the people who know him for sure, hope that he
will be one of the two that get elected in March!
The town is a mess right now. Taxes have gone through the roof and for what? All they can tell you is that it’s because of the new school. Taxes have unfairly been raised (mine 62% over the past 2 years). Meanwhile you have half of the town still not able to pay their taxes. These are the folks that we need to be going after. When I first built my house there was a true value to living in Chesterville like reasonable property taxes. Now what is the draw to get people to move there? A drive through once a shift by the FCS? Horrible roads, barely maintained in the winter and summer, a dump open 2 days a week? New selectman every term with their own agenda. I would recommend folks stay in Farmington and pay the higher taxes and enjoy the services you would expect when you pay your taxes.
You know I think this town needs some young blood and I for one is very happy that Ms Hastings is running . More power to you ! Patty . Also I was upset when Pat resigned ,than Bud ,Jo in October and now Dave . Something is not kosher .
Why did Mr. Archer resign? That is the biggest piece missing from this article. And also it’s too bad that the remaining select people weren’t contacted for their thoughts instead of talking to only one select person who had resigned before this happened.
I would urge all residents to attend the Thursday night meetings and ask the above questions and more in person. No one should be commenting about Dave or anyone else in this forum, it should be done in person so that person can defend themselves. I for one will be attending tomorrow’s meeting.