SEBAGO — Three candidates will be on the Nov. 7 ballot to fill a position on the Sebago Select Board.

A member vacated his seat — a term which expires June 30, 2025 — on the Select Board. Seeking election are candidates Carolyn Calarese, David Hague and Alan Tabor.

The Spaulding Memorial Library is once again pleased to sponsor a Meet the Candidates article about the candidates. Two — Calarese and Hague — have offered answers to questions posed to them. The third (Tabor) failed to submit answers. The candidate responses are presented alphabetically.

Candidate: Carolyn Calarese

Family Info: My Husband and I are third generation, both set of grandparents bought in Sebago in ’54. My grandparents Charlie and Ruth Binda were residents for 20-plus years. We have two adult children — daughter Danielle, 27, of Medway, Mass. and Anthony, 25, of Austin Texas.

Work/community/civic experience: I’m the VP of Operations for Calarese Group; we are a B2B independent Sales Representatives that service the Food Service, Janitorial & Industrial supply businesses. I work with several on a daily basis with schools, universities, municipalities, property and section 10 management companies, corporate food service entities & chain accounts on building budgets and strategies for development and sales.

Experience: I was on the Sebago Planning Board for a year, NESSA board for a 3-year term (business). I’ve had MMA trainings.

Community: I’ve been a coach, CCD teacher, on several PTOs, and Girl Scout leader – I’m not shy to volunteer.

Q. Why did you decide to run for office? Honestly, I wanted to be more a part of the community and bring some of my ideas to the table. Sebago is very important to my family. I believe my skills set would be an asset to the town. I have strong negotiation skills and I will work in the town’s best interest.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to this position? How can you help? I’m honest, independent thinker, hard-working, and I can be trusted to do the right things for the town. Transparency is important and if I’m unsure, I will go to great lengths to learn and ask.

Q. Are you willing to attend classes offered by MMA (Maine Municipal Association) to learn about the relevant ordinances, statutes, etc. that govern the boards and their actions? Absolutely, the more education the better

Q. What do you think are the major issues facing the town? Do you have any ideas how to address these? This town is facing massive growth quickly. We as a town have to make sure we are doing all we can to keep its integrity and to stay within our budget by doing so. Plus, we need to engage more residents (new families) and communicate better with the public. I’m hoping to be able to get this accomplished quickly, so as a town, we can be a stronger as a community.

Q. Finally, how would you answer a person asking, “Why should I vote for you?” YOU CAN TRUST that I’m here to listen TO ALL residents of this town and work in your best interest.

Candidate: David Hague

Family Info: I am retired from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and I worked another 16 years at Dearborn Precision Tubular Products in Fryeburg. Married to Eileen (Douglass) for 42 years. My wife’s family has lived in Sebago for the last 10 generations. Our son Eric attended Sebago Elementary and graduated from Lake Region High School. Eric is currently a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Marines and a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Work/community/civic experience: I have served the Town of Sebago on the Budget Committee; as a selectman, and as the town manager. I wrote several Town Ordinances including the instructions for the Capital Investment Program. I joined Sebago Center Community Church in 1990, where I taught Sunday School and coordinated the Youth Group activities for many years.

Q. Why did you decide to run for office? I have valuable historical knowledge of past municipal decisions. I would like to use my experience to help the Board of Selectmen solve town problems and to prevent future problems. I am fiscally responsible, and I fully understand how budget decisions control the mil rate and the tax bills.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to this position? How can you help? I am a team player who works with others to solve problems. I helped to develop and implement the CIP Program for Sebago. During my time as town manager, Sebago received a new mini-pumper fire truck, a forestry fire truck, a new ambulance, a new dump truck, a new plow truck, and a used roll-off container truck. All purchases were made without incurring debt. I know how to monitor work in progress and to report timely assessments. I encourage residents to openly express their concerns.

Q. Are you willing to attend classes offered by MMA (Maine Municipal Association) to learn about the relevant ordinances, statutes, etc. that govern the boards and their actions? I am very thankful for MMA. They taught me how to develop and manage municipal budgets; how to moderate meetings, the responsibilities of municipal officers and town managers. Their experience, wisdom and legal advice is very valuable to municipalities. I will gladly attend every training session associated with my responsibilities. The Greater Portland Council of Governments is another valuable resource for training and for problem solving.

Q. What do you think are the major issues facing the town? Do you have any ideas how to address these? The answer to this question could fill pages. Respecting the ideas of others; proper open communication; developing effective guidelines; updating town ordinances; efficient procurement of town equipment; showing appreciation and support for volunteers; ensuring fair tax rates; and supporting the school system. The Undesignated Fund Balance must be properly managed. Town debt should be paid in full annually. Every day, new issues will arise and new problems will become known. Selectmen must be ready to provide proactive leadership that achieves results through positive teamwork.

Q. Finally, how would you answer a person asking, “Why should I vote for you?” I graduated with honors from the University of Southern Maine. I have more than 30 years of supervisory, administrative, and management experience. I have well developed communication skills. My leadership abilities include effective time management, accurate long-range planning, with demonstrated conflict management and cooperation with others. Through years of leadership, I have learned: to earn the respect of others; to perform well under pressure; to be influential in decision making; to accept criticism gracefully and to respond positively; to keep all promises and commitments; to set a good example by working efficiently and effectively; to keep others informed as to what is expected; to spread enthusiasm; and to integrate continuous quality improvement into every business function.

I enjoy challenging work. I enjoy helping others. I would appreciate the opportunity to once again serve the Town of Sebago.