Elections 2018

Alna's Abbott won’t seek new term

Nomination papers for March elections due Jan. 22
Tue, 12/26/2017 - 10:15am

Alna First Selectman David Abbott has put in about 20 years on the board over four decades beginning in the early 1980s. His latest term is up in March and Abbott said he will not be on the ballot.

He’s retiring as a selectman, with no plans to return later, Abbott said Dec. 20. He’d like more time for his other pursuits and his grandchildren, the Bath Iron Works retiree and champion archer said. He might join another town board or committee, he said.

The two-year term for first selectman is the only selectman’s seat voters are set to decide at the polls March 23, the start of the annual town meeting, according to Town Clerk Liz Brown’s email announcement. The open town meeting is March 24.

Road Commissioner Jeff Verney is seeking another one-year term. Voters will also elect a Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 representative to a three-year term. Barbara Baston said she is not seeking re-election.

Nominations opened Dec. 13. Papers need at least 25 signatures of registered voters in town, can have up to 100, and are due at the town office by 6 p.m. Jan. 22, Brown’s email states.

Second Selectman Melissa Spinney has a year left on her latest term; she has taken out papers for the first selectman’s seat. She said her fellow selectmen and other community members encouraged her to run for it.