SEBAGO — Some years, the number of people interested in seeking public office is plentiful.

2023 in Sebago, the number of candidates on the ballot is meager.

Three — Scott Douglas, Philip Lowe and Alan Tabor — seek two three-year seats on the Board of Selectmen, while two — Richard M. Bianculli Jr. and Donelle Allen — will compete for two three-year terms on the Sebago School Committee.

Allen is the lone candidate for the Budget Committee — there are two vacancies.

Write-ins will be needed for a five-year Sebago Cemetery Trustee post, and a seven-year Dr. Joseph Fitch Potter Trustee position.

Absentee ballots are now available through the Town of Sebago website. The municipal election and Sebago School Budget Validation Vote takes place on June 6.

The Spaulding Memorial Library’s Meet the Candidates program has provided the following profiles (questions were sent to all candidates). Answers presented alphabetically:

Board of Selectmen

• Scott S. Douglas, seeking re-election

Age: 45

Family information: I was born and raised here in Sebago. My parents were Philip (Steve) Douglas and Ruth A. Douglas, who both passed away last year. I am married to Lisa Douglas and have a son, Matthew Douglas and two stepdaughters, Nicole Shier and Ashley Hutchins.

Work/community/civic experience: I am currently on the Board of Selectmen and previously served a one-year term before stepping down to the Public Works Director position in 2020. I have many years working and volunteering in my hometown of Sebago. I became an employee of the Public Works Department as a laborer when I was 16. I have done volunteer work for many of the town’s non-profit organizations, such as SYAA, Lions’ Club and Sebago Days. I was instrumental in the creation of the town’s Memorial Park, by suggesting the idea to the board at the time. Once approved, I did the ground work for it. I got my CDL

license so that I could drive any and all equipment that the town had, making me a more valuable employee. I have also been a member of the Sebago Fire Department most of my life and have all the accreditations and trainings needed to be able to perform all aspects of the job.

Q. Why did you decide to run for office? Town politics runs in my blood. My mother, Ruth Douglas, was a Selectman for many, many years. I have grown up with conversations about town issues, and as I got older, I too wanted to make a difference in how the town runs, keeping in mind what makes Sebago the best town to live in and raise a family.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to this position? How can you help? I have a vast historic knowledge of this town. I was the Public Works Director for a few years and gained insight into the needs of the town. I learned how the budgeting process works, the needs of the town’s road maintenance, listened to the concerns of the townspeople, and did my best to keep everyone safe during the winter months.

Q. What are your ideas about your role on the Board? I recognize that I am only one vote out of five. But, I am a great resource of what has worked or not worked in the past, which would benefit the future of this town and where we are headed.

Q. Finally, how would you answer a person asking, “Why should I vote for you?” I would say that I love my town and I want to see that we head in the right direction. While making sure that we offer what the townspeople want for services, we also keep an eye on taxpayers’ dollars. I have experience in applying for funds from federal as well as state sources that have been left on the table in the past. This is “free” money that should be obtained to help offset the growing costs it takes to run our town.

• Philip Lowe, seeking re-election

Age: 72

Family information: Married. Between us, my wife and I have 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Community & civic experience: I have served the community for 16 years: 8 years on the Planning Board, 8 years on the Budget Committee, 10 years on CIP, and 6 years on the Board of Selectmen. I initiated and became the driving force that placed solar power on the roof of the salt shed. The power generated here offsets a major percentage of the power needed to run our municipality. I served as treasurer for two years on the Sebago Elementary School Withdrawal Committee. I bid out, regraded and paved the school parking lot and sidewalks project, and have served on the Operations Committee for 6 years. I have also helped with projects at the Spaulding Memorial Library, including the new slate roof, rebuilding the top of the chimney, replacing the well pump, having a new concrete floor poured in the basement, and paving the driveway.

Q. Why did you decide to run for office? I think that giving something back to the community is a good thing to do and those who do set a good example for others. I have always, and continue to, run for office simply because I have a strong commitment to our community and those who live here. I look for ways to bring forces together to the benefit of us all. I look at life as an on-going learning experience that is more rewarding when you include others in your endeavors. Working to improve and protect our town has become first on my list, but helping others in that cause is a close second.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to this position? How can you help? It’s a way of thinking, and how to best serve the community with the municipal structure. All of our boards and committees must serve our community and must work together to achieve the best possible outcome for the town. The Select Board must work to provide pathways for our other boards and committees to be as efficient and knowledgeable as possible. We must provide training and work toward the best goals possible for the future of Sebago. We must strive to set the highest standards when it comes to our relationships with other boards and committees, and most importantly, not forgetting those we represent.

As we all, as individuals, struggle to deal with the extremes of inflation, so too does the municipality. This makes every decision and every purchase the town must deal with more impactful to its residents. We must remain vigilant, and create incentives that will insure that the workers in our system are not pushed backward with regard to their financial goals. They are the heart and soul of our municipal operations and we are fortunate we have them.

Our Budget and CIP Committees have labored over a hefty increase in this town budget. They have decided not to kick the can down the road, but to address the importance of each expenditure as they come. This is responsible representation because delaying real costs, as was done in the past, only postpones the cost forward to next year, and that may be more expensive still. Thank you to them for their hard work! One of the most difficult things we must face is the increasing growth in new families to our community. We must strengthen our ordinances to protect the Sebago we all love while welcoming our new neighbors. This will be achieved by strengthening our ordinances through our new Ordinance Committee and by supporting our boards by selecting new members who share the goal of a stronger Sebago as we meet the future.

Other projects are under way, as well, and I have had a hand in their creation. The new Emergency Services building will be starting as soon as the engineering review is complete. Our new Ordinance Committee will be working to insure our ordinances guide and accept businesses that fit our community as the Comprehensive Plan intended. This year, we have budgeted for the first half of a Comprehensive Plan review. We continue to improve communications at both the Town Office and the Town Hall so all who come to meetings can hear and see the proceedings. Security improvements will provide improved safety for all who come to visit or work at our town office, town hall and fire station at Mud City. Heat pumps providing heat and cooling, will make the Town Office more comfortable year-round and the program may also help the Town Hall eating area, Public Works and EMS.

Q. What are your ideas about your role on the board or committee? We must get the most bang for the buck when it comes to value added. It’s time to save money and reduce operating costs any way we can. A new planning service will provide an accounting function that will include the proper charging of project reviewing costs to the applicants instead of to our tax payers. The goal is to make the CEO position revenue neutral. A review of all of our banking accounts has revealed that not all of our holdings were insured against a banking collapse. Bangor Savings will now provide insurance coverage for all of our accounts. This banking review has also generated an increase in interest on deposits held. This interest may soon amount to enough money to offset the entire cost of our town manager’s salary. The heat pump project will reduce our carbon foot print and save 60 to 70% on our heating cost, while providing the added comfort of air conditioning in the entire town office.

Q. Why vote for me? A vote for me will allow me to continue to fight for the best future for Sebago. I will look for every possible way to keep Sebago, Sebago. I will encourage all of our staff to give their best every day and strive to improve the services to meet the needs of our residents and tax payers. When you visit the town office you should be made to feel like you own the place, because you do!

Please do me three favors: The next time you go to the town office, stop long enough to say ‘thank you’ to our wonderful office employees. It means the world to them. They are working much harder for you than you know. The second thing to do is to stop any board or committee member you see and thank them for the great, often thankless job they do for us.

The third thing to do is to look around as the volunteers in our great community work tirelessly to serve our community in so many ways. They deserve thanks too.

• Alan Tabor, did not file answers to questions posed.

School Committee

• Donelle Allen, seeking re-election

Work/community/civic experience: Volunteering is a way of life in Sebago. It’s how I was raised. Every generation in my family volunteered their time doing good works and sitting on town committees and boards. My family roots run deep in Sebago and I’m simply following in my ancestor’s footsteps. I volunteer my time as a member of the Maple Grove Grange, member and curator of the Sebago Historical Society, member, Deacon and secretary of the Sebago Center Community Church, member and president of the Ladies Church Circle, member and secretary of the Babb Cemetery Association, member of the Town of Sebago Small Cemetery Committee, and assist with keeping the Town of Sebago Cemetery Book updated with burial information.

Q. Why did you decide to run for office? I’m seeking re-election to the Sebago School Committee and the Town of Sebago Budget Committee. I have been a lifelong supporter of our school as an alumnus, daughter of long-time third grade teacher, June Allen, volunteer, member of the Friends of Sebago Elementary School, proponent of the withdrawal movement, and School Committee member. Being re-elected would enable me to continue work with the School Committee, in partnership with our new superintendent, to bring the Sebago School Department into the future.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to this position? How can you help? With the exciting changes in staff in our Town Office (Town Manager, Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk), Sebago needs knowledgeable members on the Budget Committee. I have served three years on the Town’s Budget Committee, 2 years on the School Finance Committee, and numerous years on the Sebago Center Community Church Finance Committee. I’m willing and able to serve our beloved Town of Sebago. Thanks for your consideration.

• Richard M. Bianculli Jr., seeking re-election

Age: 44

Family information: My wife Sarah and I have three beautiful children (Richard 8, Evangeline 6, and Amélie 2), our dog Simone, and a flock of 17 chickens.

Work/community/civic experience: I’ve been the Neighborhood Prosecutor for the Portland Police Department for over 8 years, prosecuting all civil offenses in District Court, mediating neighborhood disputes, and acting as a liaison between our officers and the District Attorney’s Office. Our family has been active with baseball, softball, and the Sebago Historical Society. My wife and I are co-owners of Garden Gate at Haley Farm, an event venue on Convene Road. I currently serve on the Sebago Budget Committee, as well as the School Committee.

Q. Why did you decide to run for office? I’m running for School Committee because as parents and taxpayers, we are automatically invested in the future of our children. I’m encouraged by recent efforts to improve the school, the brave withdrawal from SAD 61 to keep our kids in Sebago, and the dedication of our teachers and school staff as they rise to meet every challenge presented. We are currently engaged in the search process for our next superintendent and working toward developing both After School and Summer Camp programs at Sebago Elementary. I look forward to working to working with parents and staff to develop their ideas into reality.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to this position? How can you help? As an attorney that often specializes in resolving conflict and thinking outside of the box for a positive solution, my tenure on the School Committee would ensure that everyone in the community has an opportunity to be heard, that their opinions are acknowledged, and that their concerns are addressed as best as possible. Our school needs to be supported in every way possible and I will remain focused on conducting the community outreach to make that happen.

Q. What are your ideas about your role on the board or committee? My role on the School Committee is to work cooperatively with the superintendent, review committee proposals and policy decisions with the intent to provide the greatest benefit to our school, staff, teachers, and students. It is also important to reach out to the community and collect data to determine priorities and levels of interest in proposals and programs. Once these priorities have been established, we can all work toward cost-effective implementation according to the Town’s preferences.

Q. What are your some of your major concerns concerning the School Committee? Do you have possible ideas about or solutions for these? One of the biggest challenges for the School Committee going forward will be to decide how resources will be allocated for improvements at the school. The school recently completed an evaluation of the building to confirm existing systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, exterior). This will be critical as we continue to review the building envelope for adequate ventilation and consider possible improvements and/or additions. The lack of after-school care in the Town of Sebago has also focused the School Committee’s attention toward developing programming in conjunction with the town’s recreation program. A survey was conducted for parents and we are working with the Select Board on a workshop. We also look forward to improve and expand community events that bring us together on the school grounds. Our first annual Meet the Teachers BBQ was a success, along with the annual Fall Fest, Winter Solstice Lantern Walk, and graduation celebrations.

Q. Finally, how would you answer a person asking, “Why should I vote for you?” Sebago residents should vote for me because my primary concern is for the development and safety of our children. They will inherit what we leave behind. Ensuring the excellence of our community school is one of the best ways that we can give our kids the best chance to succeed as they learn and grow. Our school staff has proven that they can handle any challenge presented. We should continue to support our school staff in every way possible. Where resources allow, we can make the improvements that ensure success. Where resources are not present, we can lean on each other’s talents to make things happen, apply for grants, and think outside the box. I’m certain that everyone in town wants to support our school and tax dollars are not the only way to show that support. I’m happy to advocate for improvements that the town supports while leading the charge to organize volunteers for a community-based project.