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| Three candidates are running for two available non-partisan seats on the Windham Town Council in the Nov. 5 election. From left are At-Large candidate Clayton Haskell, West District candidate Bill Reiner, and At-Large candidate David Nadeau. SUBMITTED PHOTOS |
WINDHAM TOWN COUNCIL
Two seats available, three-year terms
West District
BILL REINER
Age/Occupation: 60, Registered Nurse
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: Windham Town Council Nov 2021to Present; Appointments Committee 2021 to Present; Finance Committee 2023 and 2024; Windham Community Center Committee
If an incumbent, please cite something that you worked on for the Windham Town Council that was passed, and you are proud of. Also tell our readers how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please cite something that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if passed by the council?
“As Councilors we serve all of Windham, not only those within our districts, and the West District had a relatively quiet three years. Early in my term the Windham Center region was proposed to have density limits reduced. The changes I proposed kept density at an acceptable level. In the North District, I discovered that its commercial zones had no height restrictions in place, essentially the sky was the limit. Through the work with other councilors, the commercial zones now have height protections in place. I supported the citizens' right to have a 'Recall Process' in place. And lately, with the events taking place at Dundee Dam, I have been working with the organization, 'Friends of the Presumpscot,’ to present their ongoing efforts to protect this water way.”
What do believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“Although I am running unopposed, I do not take my position lightly. Growth and the population shift from larger cities and states into our region are placing higher demands on our services and infrastructure. Over the past three years, the council has increased the staffing of the Public Safety Services and support teams. Currently, the Windham Growth Ordinance is being reviewed for changes and to represent the housing developments that are currently being built. No longer will one permit allow thirty residential units. Support for our senior citizens has continued to be a concern of myself and the council, and each year, Senior assistance has been reviewed and enhanced. Our budget needs to be developed keeping in mind the impacts to everyone who works and lives here.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“Maine has one of the highest tax burdens in the country. Only 32 percent of your current tax bill is directly affected by your council, with a rough breakdown of RSU accounting for 64 percent and Cumberland County accounting for 4 percent. I have served on the Finance Committee for the past two years and if re-elected, plan to serve again. Windham is in great financial health, having both a great bond rating and very low bond debt. While we have addressed the growing needs of our town, we have also spent wisely. While that is all great, your tax bill is most directly affected by budgets. Inflation has hit us all, including our town, and the municipal increase was 4.4 percent compared to a Maine Inflation rate of 3.4 percent (9/23-9/24). Going forward the Finance Committee will need to keep in mind on how it impacts all of us, especially those on fixed incomes.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“Growth, finances, and quality of life are the three major issues I will continue to work on, and I hope to continue the work I have been doing over the last three years. I will support work on a financially responsible community center, which is currently missing in a town of our size. We need to continue to assist those on fixed incomes and our lifelong residents who have now retired in the town they grew up in. While growth has been directed to the four major growth areas, some of those areas are reaching a point of saturation. The council has made great efforts to protect our Farm Zones, and we must maintain our awareness of how growth affects all residents, including those in areas where growth is being directed.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
As stated above, budgets have the highest effect on individual taxes. Revaluations and reassessments are what levels the playing field for all. The Finance Committee will continue to evaluate the needs of the community with regard to budget increases. Our town departments need to support their individual budget requests annually. It is these annual reviews that get us the best value for our taxes. I hear the concerns and comments about individual increases, and I also feel the pain. The past few years of increased inflation and costs have impacted both the town's and residents’ budgets. Rest assured that government waste is something that I will not tolerate, especially when my decisions towards our municipal budget affect our community at an individual level. It is a responsibility I, as a Councilor, accept and work my hardest at.”
What do you like the most about the district that you reside in?
“Each district in Windham is unique and has its own personality and attractions. I moved to Windham in 2016, choosing the location well before I had any aspirations to serve on the council. What attracted me to this area of town was its rural character while still remaining close to services. Having an initial education at UMO in 'Forestry and Wildlife' I appreciate the fact that I am nestled between two great waterways, the Pleasant and Presumpscot Rivers. Flyfishing, kayaking and swimming are only a mile away. The quietness and space between neighbors are highly regarded when raising my two teenagers, without many of the fears and issues of urban living. But these attractions can easily be lost if we don't protect what gives Windham its charm.”
At-Large
DAVID NADEAU
Age/Occupation: 75, retired electronic engineer
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: 11 years total as a Windham Town Councilor, 10 years as a member of the Windham Planning Board.
If an incumbent, please cite something that you worked on for the Windham Town Council that was passed, and you are proud of. Also tell our readers how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please cite something that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if passed by the council?
“Some of the things accomplished since the last few years I’ve been on the council: Elderly tax assistance was initiated at $500 now $700. Then there is Sewer $38.7 million at 2 percent paid by grants and TIF and not the public. Four new fields put on the disposal fields at the Manchester School, paid by impact fees. Connector road paid by federal grant of 70 percent, 15 percent DEP, 15 percent town, our portion for Smart Signal lights already in budget and sidewalks paid with matching funds. Growth cap in place – rural hasn't met their quota in last two years. Purchased over 700 acres of conservation land paid by impact fees and grants. Sidewalks in South Windham paid by matching funds. Working on building a full-time fire department. Public parking in South Windham. Finally new buildings, South Windham fire station, central police/fire, public works and improvements to town hall. Financial- Started layering bonds for the future. Increased our bond rating to AA+. Implemented impact fees. Lowest mil rate around with our valuation over 90 percent. Windham is finally investing in their future with limited impact on the tax base, most of it paid for with matching funds, TIF, impact fees and grants. This helps the residents of the town get these projects done with funding from outside sources. What should be realized is the town only gets $.35 of every tax dollar which would have these projects really increase the mil rate. This has been a great change, the old guard would look at the school first then keep the town flat because the of school increases, even though they are two different entities.”
What do you believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“One of the most pressing issues in this race is some residents’ mindset, they want to go backwards not forward. Growth can only be stopped to a certain extent, which we have done with the growth cap. The state mandates that you change your ordinance to allow growth. We have done this in accordance with the comprehensive plan creating three growth areas, South Windham, North Windham and Windham Center. People complain that growth is happening too fast, but our growth cap shows other wise and has put growth in the growth area not the rural area. Growth has been investigated which brought about the connector road taking 37 percent of the traffic from the Route 302, 35/115 intersection (a high crash site). There are several other housing issues of all types. Then there is the high cost of living, 42 percent of Windham residence live paycheck to paycheck. The ‘Alice Program’” reported this when I brought them in to speak to the council. We have to keep moving forward and plan for the future, you can’t go back.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“This is a loaded question. The only way this can be done is by cutting services that are on the town side, on the school side, you would have to cut courses or sports. As a councilor you only have control of 35 percent of the budget, the school has 60 percent and the county 5 percent. So that leaves the question, what services do you want the town to do away with, most are asking for more services. This question should be asked of our senators and representatives. They have cut two legs of the three-legged stool that leaves it to the towns. They have passed many unfunded mandates putting the tax burden on the towns.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“I chose to run because I love this town and want to keep it moving forward. For a town to move forward you must look out beyond today and into the future. I personally want to have a financial plan in place to move us forward with minimal impact to the taxpayer, this can be done by layering bonds. This will give future councilors the ability to get things done. I would really like to have people look beyond today and see 10 to 15 years down the road. Change and growth will come, and you have to plan for it. We have a population of almost 20,000 we will soon be a city not a town, lets plan that transition.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“As I have already stated, the layering of bonds. At present we have a little over 1 percent of our allowed value. The state allows you to bond up to 15 percent of your assessed value. When you layer bonds that bond payment is built into your budget up on maturity that amount can be used for another town need. This type of financing once developed leaves the budget stable only dealing with cost increases. The town requires between $500,000 to $700,000 every year to open the door do to mandated expenses. This figure can usually be covered by growth. This is a hard process to explain so please contact me if you would like.”
What do you like the most about the district that you reside in?
“Windham has four districts and three at large councilors. Anyone can vote for any councilor not only your district or at large, I’m at large which puts this question right in my court, because “I LOVE THIS TOWN.” Everyone says this and then you wonder why others want to come. I got involved because I saw the place I love being extremely stagnant and overrun by growth due to an inability to change, so I got involved to help the town look into the future yet keep the character that we love. It is extremely had to put your point out to the voter in a few questions. The answers lie in the whole picture not a signal question. Please contact me for a picture of the whole and what you control and what is beyond you.”
CLAYTON HASKELL
Age/Occupation: 71, Farm Owner
Previous Elected Experience/ Terms in Office: Windham Town Council 2017-2020; Town Council Chair 2018-2019; Member of the Community Development Block Grant Agriculture Incubator Study Advisory Committee, Served 10 years on Windham Planning Board, 1990-1991 Windham Planning Board Chair, Participated in Windham Comprehensive Planning Committee.
If an incumbent, please cite something that you worked on for the Windham Town Council that was passed, and you are proud of. Also tell our readers how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please cite something that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if passed by the council?
“Though I am not running as an incumbent, when I served as Windham Town Council Chair from 2018 to 2019, I was proud that we lowered the mill rate to relieve the property tax burden on Windham residents. If re-elected, I intend to work closely and cooperatively with all councilors to find ways to drastically slow tax increases or to reduce taxes. Growth is inevitable, but we owe it to our taxpayers to approach spending mindfully and in their best interest. Windham Town Council needs a Councilor who will be receptive and think critically on every proposal to ensure the decisions made are best for the taxpayers of Windham.”
What do you believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“Our town is facing an imminent need for housing that is affordable, and despite steady tax increases, rapid growth is outpacing our infrastructure. Our current council’s development plan included apartment complexes being approved and built in rapid succession in the Business District, ahead of any sewer addition. The resulting traffic congestion is not being regulated to safely handle the increased burden, which causes driver uncertainty and accidents. Windham also serves as an artery between Portland and all surrounding towns, and we must better prioritize reducing traffic impact both locally and regionally in future planning. This development also has environmental impact on nearby lakes, rivers and streams already at risk. The council should examine Planning Board approvals with the possibility of revisiting them to limit and better manage the growth in a way that compliments Windham and best serves the interests of the taxpayers funding it.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“Solid steps that council can implement to minimize the property tax burden for residents in Windham include: 1. Lower the mill rate; 2. Limit the number of apartment complexes and increase single home developments that bring property tax revenue commensurate to the residents’ impact on infrastructure; 3. Increase incentives to commercial businesses for them to locate to Windham; 4. Place major projects out to bid and hold contractors accountable to keep to the awarded cost; 5. Consider the School Board proposal for tax increase before increasing the municipal budget; 6. Eliminate unnecessary spending in the town budget.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“As a lifelong resident of Windham, and a former Councilor, I understand the impact Council’s actions have on our community, and I am qualified and ready to serve in the open seat of Town Council At-Large to represent Windham’s overall interests. As an elected representative, the more voices that are heard and perspectives shared, the better our Council can serve Windham residents. I recognize the challenge posed by rapid housing growth and the need for a stronger industrial and business base to support our tax system. Our greatest opportunity lies in preserving Windham’s rural character and open spaces, ensuring that as we grow, we maintain the natural beauty and resources that make our town unique. On Town Council, I hope to bring common sense and logical solutions to the committees, fostering sustainable development while protecting our town’s heritage.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“I will advocate for Council to examine the proposed town budget by line item to ensure spending is necessary, that we eliminate redundancy and waste, and that the budget serves the best interest of taxpayers in this trying economy. During this time of rapid growth and related tax increases, Council should be transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible so taxpayers can be assured that they have the lowest tax bill possible. While Windham residents struggle to meet rising costs and many risk being taxed out of their homes, Council should only approve a lean budget that meets the needs of Windham’s residents and that we can afford. The budget should consider sustainable long-term goals, but also spending should be based on necessity.”
What do you like the most about the district that you reside in?
“All districts of Windham, as unique as they are, together make Windham one of the most interesting towns in Maine. We should manage imminent urban sprawl from our neighboring cities with purpose, committing to balancing industry and business with rural conservation to preserve the history and landscape which makes Windham special.”
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