By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Incumbents Dan Harden and Dee Miller will be challenged by newcomer Rolf Madsen for two open seats (three-year terms) on the Bridgton Planning Board at the June 8 election. Polls are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall on North High Street.

The News posed the following questions to the candidates, whose responses are arranged alphabetically:

Q. Why did you decide to run for office?

Harden: I decided to run for the Planning Board again as I feel I bring a lot of valuable information to the board. I am a small business owner in town and feel that we are growing at very good rate. I feel being on the Planning Board I am able to continue the growth of the town in a reasonable and acceptable manner to all. Our Land Use Ordinance was a good thing for the town. There are some issues with it and I feel the board has handle them well. We still have some work to do with it, but we are moving in the right direction.

Madsen: I love living in Bridgton and feel it’s important that I contribute to help continue to make it a terrific place to live. It is important to be involved. I feel that I can offer my years and years of town government experience to help the Planning Board make its decisions which benefit the town.

Miller: I have admiration for the New England Town Meeting form of government, and interest in Bridgton and its future. When I moved here 25 years ago, there were discussions about growth and change; I wanted to be part of that and hoped that I could help create sensible and balanced policies. I believe in public service.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to the position?

Harden: Being involved with the community is one of my biggest strengths. In the past, I was involved with the Chamber of Commerce as a president and vice president. Getting to know a lot of businesses and residents of the community helped me realize that we need to grow the town in a way that is suitable for everyone.

Madsen: I am an analytical thinker that will be very consistent when applying zoning regulations, ordinances and bylaws when making decisions. I am pragmatic, listen to both sides and make good unbiased decisions when representing the Town of Bridgton.

Miller: I have experience in the history and function of government and practical service on several town committees and boards. My teaching background has developed my organizational and writing skills, my interest in learning from others, and my ability to listen to all sides. 

Q. When faced with difficult decisions, what is your approach?

Harden: When faced with difficult decisions, I feel that I can take a step back and look at the situation at hand and hear both sides of the story. I hear and understand people’s reactions to all the development going on. Do I agree with every development personally, the answer is no. However, being a member on the Planning Board, we need to look at every application and make sure they are following the ordinance that the townspeople voted in, if they are in compliance, we need to approve it, if they are not, we reject it. Again, I feel that I can make a non-biased decision based on the facts that are presented to us.

Madsen: For Planning Board decisions, my first step would be to make sure that I have carefully listened and understood the matter from the applicant’s and town’s perceptive. I would carefully review the town’s Subdivision Regulations, the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, the Site Plan Review Ordinance and Land Use Ordinance as to which would apply and then determine if the matter before us was in compliance with the applicable use and regulations that have been adopted by Town of Bridgton. Once these steps are completed, I would make my decision using the town’s ordinances to make a determination that serves the best interests of the Town of Bridgton and be understandable and acceptable to the applicant.    

Miller: I study the issues, look for balance of interests and work toward reasonable and productive outcomes. Most of all, I try to think clearly about the standards in the ordinances and try to be fair. I listen to everyone who has an interest to ensure that everyone has been heard. Then, I hope everything will turn out all right. 

Q. Name three major concerns you have regarding the town, explain and possible solutions?

Harden: Honestly there are only two major concerns for me.

Development — The town is growing. There are a few developments that are a big concern for a lot of folks in the town, like the solar farms. I personally feel that we need more studies on these. The way to fix this is to maybe put a temporary hold on them. Doing some research, other towns have put a moratorium on them until the town could get more information. I am in favor of having solar farms. I just personally think we need more information.

Land Use Ordinance — One of my major concerns a few years back was the Land Use Ordinance and the flaws that it had/has. The possible solutions for this is to bring businesses, builders etc. together to go over the LUO. I feel the board and the input we have had so far is working and getting more input from other sources will greatly help all of the town. I understand all the hard work that goes into this document and believe that we are on our way to make it a very valuable thing for the town.

Madsen: In Bridgton, we are experiencing increased development which today has increased the workload that the Planning Board needs to accomplish. We need to work on the planning and review process to enable the board to be more efficient when reviewing applications, but also make the reviews more comprehensive to help mitigate legal expenses. We should strive for a process that is simple, consistent and easy for the applicant to follow that would accelerate the application process through approval or denial. This not to say that the current board isn’t doing a good job, they are. But as development ramps up, as it is, they should review their processes to see if it can be made simple and easy.

If you are preparing to come to the board with an application, there are potentially 308 pages of laws dictating what you can and cannot do. That doesn’t include Maine Statute 30-A, Subparts’ 6-A Planning and Land Use Regulation, 7 Planning and Zoning and 8 Development, that also may come into play. It is a complicated process for an applicant.

With the experience that I have, I am sure that I could work with and help the board improve its procedures.

Miller: A. I want to encourage growth. Bridgton deserves the upgraded conveniences and services (broadband, utilities, businesses) of any modern town. But I want also to protect and maintain the character and resources that make this such an exceptional place to live.

B. I dislike the discord and partisanship that has lately become a part of national politics and don’t want that to happen here. I want to encourage people to take an active role in town government, to participate in town committee meetings and hearings. Working together and respecting our differences will make us a stronger and more successful community.

C. I am interested in the impact of changes in technology (as alternate energy, Internet), community standards (marijuana use) and new land uses will have on our town. I want to establish clear and rational policies (and ordinance standards) that respond to change in a way that protects and enhances rather than threatens the town’s character and quality of life.

Q. Finally, if a person was to ask, “Why should I vote for you?” how would you answer?

Harden: People have asked me this question a few times in the past. My answer to them is that I am very community oriented. I feel that I bring a lot valuable information to all the meetings. I want to see this town grow in the proper manner. We all love the natural beauty of Bridgton and all that it has to offer. There is a way to grow this town in manner that is both appealing to businesses and the townspeople that we can keep the beauty of the town that so many love. I have lived in Bridgton for 16 years and own a small business here and have been coming to this great town since 1986. My biggest thing for everyone is to get out and vote (even if not for me, although personally I would like them to). We cannot make things move in the right direction if we don’t.

Madsen: I would answer; “If you want someone that will be completely unbiased, that will do the research that supports his decisions, and has the municipal experience to draw upon to help make good and correct decisions, then you should vote for me.”

Miller: I believe I have demonstrated my dedication to the town and understanding of its nuance and character. Over the years, I have worked to promote growth; to establish clear, rational standards, to make impartial, balanced decisions; and to enhance the quality of life in Bridgton. I like and respect the people in our town and have worked over the years to ensure that everyone feels represented. Yes, I have been around a rather long time, but I’m still thinking, still learning, still alive, and there are still things to be done.