Municipal race: Bridgton Select Board

June 10th, 2022

By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Alfred A. Bottone IV: On my mother’s side, her family came to the colonies from Europe on the sixth ship from the Mayflower. My father’s side came from Italy to the colonies just before the Civil War. I was born in Gardner, Mass. My family spent every summer in Wells, and I spent most of my free time traveling and staying along the Maine coast most of my adult life. Over 20 years ago, my wife and I moved to Bridgton and worked on the coast at the Dunstan School Restaurant. I was a working executive chef and we enjoyed quite a few years there. Over the last 30 years, I’ve been in the culinary field specializing in catering and presentation/exhibition cooking. We retired officially in 2019. With my wife and a friend, we opened our present business on Main Street, “Happy Valley Popcorn Company.” “We are a one-stop popcorn shop. Specializing exclusively in European glazed popcorn, high quality butter infused olive oil and ancient grain popcorn products. The only company to have a built-in bowl found on our Grab & Go packages…What’s not to love …”

Three candidates — Alfred A. Bottone IV, Seth J. Dresser and Kenneth J. Murphy — seek the open three-year seat on the Bridgton Board of Selectmen, replacing Bear Zaidman. Election Day is Tuesday, June 14 with the polls open at the Bridgton Town Hall (North High Street) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are now available. 

The News posed the following questions to the candidates, with their responses arranged in alphabetical order.

Q. Why did you decide to run for office?

Al Bottone: Our business has been open for over three years and we have lived here in Bridgton for over 20 years. Part of our business plan is to give back to the community anywhere we can. I like to listen and talk to people. I believe can help shape a stronger community and town as we move forward from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Seth Dresser: Bridgton is a great town, and I have been looking for ways to give back and be more engaged in the town. 

Ken Murphy: To continue to serve Bridgton and all its residents. Staying involved keeps me motivated to see Bridgton prosper and move forward into the future.

Q. What strengths (character/experience) do you believe you bring to the position?

Al Bottone: Communication and listening to people through my career have been a very fortunate learned skill and its part of my understanding of the environment around me. Insights that I use with what is needed for research on an issue or subject presented to me and then decide on possible actions or reactions. This is not a skill set that is quick to judge, but it is not slow to act either. Less of a “knee-jerk” reaction and a more informed decision process.

Seth Dresser:I have a relatively diverse history, and I believe that offers a unique perspective when approaching issues facing the town. I also have a relatively young family, and I feel that that offers a slightly different view and approach toward priorities within the town. 

Ken Murphy: Do something positive attitude, experienced leader of many organizations. Pushed hard to update roads coming in and out of Bridgton. Instrumental in the design of our “Welcome to Bridgton” signs. Recommended to develop Lower Main Street when doing our streetscape. 

Seth J. Dresser: I grew up on the coast, in Rockland. I spent a couple of years in high school in Aroostook County; a town called Limestone, just north of Caribou. After college and a few years down in Maryland, I realized that I missed Maine, and found my way back, ending up in Bridgton. I’ve been in the area for about 15 years now. I live in North Bridgton with my daughter.

Q. What are three major issues/challenges/problems facing the town, and how would you approach addressing them?

Al Bottone: One of the most frustrating problems to me is the overall parking limitations in town. There is not enough around for people to use. There is no easy solution where you can strike a somewhat balance to please everyone.

Second — As a community, a better representation of the whole town as a community is needed. What I mean is show the diversity of the businesses and green spaces located all around town and highlight on those strengths when advertising Bridgton to the outside world. It will create a better picture of the town of Bridgton and its community. Keep the personality and history of each district in the town, but shine as one community.

Three — Ah, the elephant in the room, the debate over the old Bridgton Memorial School and property. Great ideas over the years. SAD 61 wants to turn the school property over to the town, but they want to see certain conditions guaranteed for the property’s use because of the close proximity to Stevens Brook Elementary. Redevelopment to be educational, historical and/or recreational not commercial or sold by the town to offset taxes (according to the article “BEDC gets green light to explore old Memorial School options,” Aug. 13, 2021, The Bridgton News). One idea from the BEDC (Bridgton Economic Development Corp) is transforming the property into a functioning facility to benefit a wide spectrum of the community. An estimated cost of around $10 to $20 million. The BEDC would seek out grant money and launch a capital fundraising effort. No tax dollars would be used to retrofit and build a new complex.

Kenneth J. Murphy: Single/divorced; two grown children that are married with two children each and live in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Background in Advertising, Public Relations and retired from Sears before moving back to Bridgton; worked selling advertising for the Bridgton News for five and a half years, now working at the Umbrella Factory Supermarket in Naples handling advertising and in the Meat Department. Been involved with many non-profit organizations, Bridgton Community Center (past president), past member of the Bridgton Lions Club, past president and current board member of the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, proud member of the American Legion Post 67 and U.S. Air Force veteran.

The proposal is a wonderful snapshot of what could be, but maybe a little too big and grand for now. According to the U.S. Census of April 1, 2021, our overall population in town is 5,527 residents. In 2010 the population was only 5,210 showing a growth of 317 new residents moving to town with a 10-year growth of 2.1%. With the average growth in Maine projected to be 2.1% between 2018 to 2028, we are ahead of the growth curve going into the future. (census.gov/quickfacts/bridgtontowncumberlandcountymaine/). In time, as we grow as a community and town, projects like this will be more attainable and feasible.

By taking BEDC’s idea and breaking it up into smaller projects over time would be a way to achieve it. Another way in the short term is to create a “Lakes Region” boys’ and girls’ club by working with the BEDC and retrofitting their idea with a community-based organization that has no representation in the Lake Region. Six out of seven boys’ and girls’ clubs are located “in and around” South Portland and Portland. That is over 40 miles away. The closest club is Auburn/Lewiston, 33 miles away. By having a boys’ and girls’ club in Bridgton, surrounding communities benefit also. This is a way to get the ball rolling and to meet some of the conditions of SAD 61 while helping the community and our kids as a starting point for the redevelopment of the Bridgton Memorial school property. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Seth Dresser: The first is the Memorial School. At this point, it’s an eyesore at best. It is a great piece of property in an important part of town. I believe that it needs to be transferred to the town, and we need to begin working on how it would be best developed for the town.

The second is updating the Comprehensive Plan. The last plan was very well done, thoughtful and purposeful, and Bridgton has really flourished over its life. Now, as the town is looking to update it, there needs to be the same intentionality to make sure the town continues to grow in a healthy and productive way. There are many great people already starting on it and I’m sure that they will create an excellent plan.

Finally, I think the biggest challenge facing Bridgton is our growth. We have grown and changed dramatically, with the pandemic only accelerating the change. I firmly believe that change itself is neither good nor bad; it simply is an inevitable reality of the world. My concern and focus are on making sure that the change that comes benefits all of Bridgton. We need to make sure that we can maintain the vibrancy that the town offers. 

Ken Murphy: Recommend development of a Master Plan for all sections of Bridgton. Keeping our tax rate fair and balanced. Maintain the streetscape and connecting our new sewer lines properly, plus working with the Comprehensive Plan committee to be completed in time. 

Q. Finally, when faced with a difficult issue or situation, explain how you approach the matter and come to a decision?

Al Bottone: Well, my answer is the same as Question 2 — Communication and listening to people through my career have been a very fortunate learned skill and its part of my understanding of the environment around me. Insights that I use with what is needed for research on an issue or subject presented to me and then decide on possible actions or reactions. This is not a skill set that is quick to judge, but it is not slow to act either. Less of a “knee-jerk” reaction and a more informed decision process.

Seth Dresser: I like to understand the depth of the problem. There are positives and negatives to every decision. I think it’s important to understand those consequences, especially the unintended ones, before making a decision. Once I understand the full reality of a decision, I find that the best options become self-apparent. 

Ken Murphy: Meet with the Select Board to resolve any issues that involve our town. Follow up on those issues right to its completion.