Windham Town Council Candidate Q&A

WINDHAM TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES

(Three-year terms)

 

Running unopposed for Windham Town Council in the Nov. 8
election are, from left, incumbent Jarrod Maxfield (North
District), incumbent Nicholas Kalogerakis (South District),
and newcomer John Henry (At Large). SUBMITTED PHOTOS 
 

Jarrod Maxfield
Windham Town Council North District
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Previous Elected Experience: 2016 to Current, Windham Town Council North District

Why are you running for this position and please be specific.

“I’ve had the privilege of serving on the council the last six years and being a part of some major accomplishments; but there is still a lot of work to be done and I would like to continue to serve and help make sure what we have achieved continues to move forward and is completed.”

In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue currently facing the Town of Windham?

“It is cliche at this point but the answer is growth. And that will continue to be the answer for the foreseeable future. I recently read through the last decade or so of Council Chair Annual Letters and almost everyone noted growth as the pressing issue. I bet if we go back one decade or 10 decades that was also the issue. Some people want zero growth, some want no rules and a free market; to me the answer is somewhere in the middle, hopefully guided by common sense. Growth will come and we cannot stop it, we must work with it to maximize benefit for our town and guide it as we can.”

What three things have you accomplished to benefit this community in the past three years?

“As a Town Council member, I have had many opportunities to work with other Council members, Town staff and members of the community to get things done, nothing is a one-person effort and it's hard to pick just three. Foremost is the sewer; when I first ran six years ago, I told residents I wanted to finally get the long debated and defeated North Windham Sewer accomplished and six years later that passed voter approval this summer. Second, The East Windham Conservation Project which will forever protect approximately 750 acres of land for Windham. This will be an asset and resource for all future generations, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of. Finally, on the Council we get opportunities to serve in other ways and I represent the Council on the Middle School Committee as we navigate towards a new RSU Middle School. This is a great group of community members, RSU staff, educators and more. This group has worked hard for over a year to help move this project forward which when completed will be an educational advantage for our children and a benefit to Windham taxpayers who will benefit from state funding.”

What do you think you will do better or differently this term if you are elected?

“I would like to communicate better with the community. In the world of Facebook and email there are better ways I could communicate with residents and get the word out on what we are working on and accomplishing. It is good for residents to be involved and educated on what’s happening in town and why and to have them as a part of the decision-making process. Sadly, we are also living in a world where bad news and sadly, fake news, travel faster than the facts and when our residents have the wrong idea or information it can be a negative for all involved. Better communication could help avoid that and that is a personal goal for myself to improve and also a goal for the Council and Staff to improve.”

What are the greatest economic, cultural, and social strengths of this community in your opinion, and how will you support those strengths if elected?

“We have many opportunities in Windham and it’s hard to choose just one. But for economics, as its base, Route 302. We are a hub that serves hundreds of thousands of people a year, many more than live in Windham, and we should continue to build a foundation to create a place people want to go. This can bring in business and workers we need to grow a commercial base and help alleviate our residential tax base pressure. Windham’s culture of being a rural, farm community is important to keep and nurture. Even as we see growth in many places it is important to note where we are not seeing as much growth. We have policies we have been putting in place that helps to protect the lands and open spaces in town. Our social strength is the kindness of Windham residents. I have seen multiple occasions over the last few years of our residents stepping up to help each other in all sorts of occurrences and that isn’t something you find everywhere. We have a tight community fabric built on kindness to our neighbors.”

If elected, which council committees would you like to serve on?

“I am interested in continuing on the Windham Economic Development Committee and the Highland Lake Committee. I also represent the Council on the GPCOG Executive Board, EcoMaine Executive Board and the Windham Middle School Committee and would like to continue those assignments.”

What specific ideas and proposals do you have to alleviate Windham’s housing crisis?

“I wish I had some magic answer, but I do not. The problem with housing is two sided. On one side we need housing, especially affordable housing. On the other side, the town only has so much room and can only handle so much growth without overburdening the current systems and residents. Growth will come and we must work with it and try and benefit from it. Ignoring it or trying to stop it only slows the inevitable and delays success. In the last few years, the Council and Staff have worked to find ways to find a middle ground to allow for growth but with boundaries. We enacted a building cap so that only a certain amount of permits are allowed per year. Standards were adopted so subdivisions in rural zones have to plan for land management and open spaces. We have also adopted policies to encourage growth in our growth areas, including housing. Growing in areas that make sense also helps slow growth in other areas of town, particularly rural areas. Senior Housing is also something we are and need to continue to encourage and see more in the next few years. And finally, all of the above and more are supported by the Council and the residents moving sensible projects like the North Windham Sewer forward because these ideas are only as good as the foundation they are built on. And the last few years that foundation in Windham has been getting stronger and stronger and I look forward to serving another three years and continuing the work.”

Nicholas Kalogerakis
Windham Town Councilor South District
Occupation: Accounting/Bookkeeping, Life/Business Coach
Previous Elected Experience: 2019 to present, Windham Town Councilor, South District

Why are you running for this position and please be specific.

“Before becoming a councilor, I was on the Planning Board, the WEDC, and the Long-Range Planning committee. I enjoy being involved with the town and volunteering. While sitting on these boards I realized that I wanted to be more involved with the policies and ordinances of the town. When working on projects for the town, i.e., growth, sewer, we would run into roadblocks. That’s when I decided to run for town council so I could play a role in the ordinances going forward in order to support the growth the town is experiencing. We can’t stop the town from growing, it’s important we put the parameters in place to grow right.”

In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue currently facing the Town of Windham?

“In one word “growth.”

What three things have you accomplished to benefit this community in the past three years?

“Sewer, 302 Bypass, East Windham Conservation Project. I fully support all three of these projects. They all tie directly to the towns greatest challenge, growth. The Town Manager and staff have done an incredible job getting these projects organized so that we can move Windham forward with zero or minimal increase to the mil rate (depends on the project). I have played a role in all three of these projects and know that these are some of the greatest improvements our town has seen in the last 25 years or so.”

What do you think you will do better or differently this term if you are elected?

“Get more involved with affordable senior housing. Our seniors are on waiting lists and Windham is severely behind in this.”

What are the greatest economic, cultural, and social strengths of this community in your opinion, and how will you support those strengths if elected?

Question not answered by candidate.

If elected, which council committees would you like to serve on?

“Finance Committee and Appointments.”

What specific ideas and proposals do you have to alleviate Windham’s housing crisis?

“I don’t think we have a housing crisis. Windham is growing, most towns do eventually. It’s a great place to live and is close to Portland. We have had a lot of homes being built at a quick pace and we have placed a Building Permit Cap to slow that and ensure that the growth is responsible. Most towns go through this at some point. We need to ensure that the town can continue to provide the services our residents need and want, and we continue to hire police, fire paramedics and any other support staff we need. Then we need the growth to happen in the parts of town that make sense, most of our town is zoned in the farm district. The Long-Range Planning Committee is looking at town zoning and keeping it in line with our Comprehensive Plan. I’m excited to work on this.”

John Henry
Windham Town Councilor At Large
Occupation: Civil Engineer
Previous Elected Experience: No elected experience, served on the Windham Planning Board in 2007

Why are you running for this position and please be specific.

“I believe I have the best interest of the Town and the future of the Town at heart.”

In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue currently facing the Town of Windham?

“Properly planning for the residential and business growth of Windham.”

What three things have you accomplished to benefit this community in the past three years?

“I help support the growth of my local church in Windham, I patronize and support local business whenever possible and I vote (even in the mid cycle elections).”

What do you think you will do better or differently this term if you are elected?

“I believe my pragmatic approach can help facilitate open and productive dialogue.”

What are the greatest economic, cultural, and social strengths of this community in your opinion, and how will you support those strengths if elected?

“The 302 corridor and large and small businesses that support local patrons and tourists are the greatest economic strengths of Windham. Socially and culturally, Windham has everything from the rural farm feel, lakes, rivers, walking trails, to the strong center of town with restaurants, bistro’s, taverns, shopping, and churches! I will do my best to support all of these important components of the Town.”

If elected, which council committees would you like to serve on?

“Perhaps the Long Range Planning Committee and the Council Ordinance Committee.”

What specific ideas and proposals do you have to alleviate Windham’s housing crisis?

“The rapid development of medium to high density housing is not unique to Windham or Maine. At this point, what I can offer is to work with leaders in our community as well as trying to learn from other communities to see what ideas have worked best to support smart growth.”