Four candidates vie for two seats on Raymond Board of Selectmen

By Dina Mendros

Raymond residents will choose two new Board of Selectmen on June 10. Those on the June ballot for the three-year terms include Mark Meister, Christopher Hanson, Kaela Gonzalez and Frederick Miller.

Two candidates for Raymond Board of
Selectmen will be elected to three-year
terms on June 10. Candidates are,
clockwise from top left, Mark Meister,
Christopher Hanson, Kaela Gonzalez
and Frederick Miller.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS 

Candidates share their thoughts on whether the town needs a new Public Works building; what they think about building solar farms; whether the in-person style of town meeting should be brought back; and what they think are other important issues to the town.

Mark Meister, 40, is married with two young children. He is a consulting executive at IBM Consulting. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. He has also served on nonprofit and community boards.

Meister said he believes whether to build a new Public Works building “should be based on clear need and long-term value … with community input and fiscal responsibility guiding every step.”

Solar farm proposals, Meister said, should be evaluated on “a case-by-case basis, balancing zoning rules, environmental impact, community benefit, and landowner rights.”

Meister said he “respects the tradition of in-person town meetings but believes Raymond should explore modern options that allow more residents to participate.”

He said he “supports continued investment in education” and responsible development. He also said “protecting Raymond’s lakes, ponds, and rivers” is important, as is government efficiency and increased engagement between residents and government.

Christopher Hanson, 69, is married with two children. Hanson is the code enforcement officer for the town. He graduated from the University of Maine Orono. He is a member of the town’s Budget-Finance Committee.

“I believe the town needs a new Public Works building and would support it after the Public Works Garage Oversight Committee reports back to the Board of Selectmen,” Hanson said.

“I think solar farms are beneficial … in certain areas of town,” he said.

Hanson said he favors in-person town meetings that “bring the community together and build community spirit.”

Some of Hanson’s other concerns about what the town should be focusing on concern “climate change and working on resiliency” along with “protecting our lakes and environment.” “Creating more commercial businesses and empowering the tax base” were other concerns, as well as “providing the citizens with the best services while keeping taxes under control.”

Gonzalez, 42, is married with three young children. She is a program coordinator with the city of Portland and has a degree in Health Science. She has served on various town committees including the town’s most recent Comprehensive Plan Committee.

“I look forward to seeing the work that comes out of the Public Works Garage Oversight Committee,” Gonzalez said regarding a new Public Works building, noting residents voted against a proposal last year.

She said she considered the matter of solar farms “settled with an ordinance amendment in August 2024.”

Gonzalez said she thinks the current way of voting and providing two public hearings before the June vote, allows people to ask questions but having more time to vote “increases accessibility.”

Important issues she sees facing Raymond include short-term rentals, a housing shortage, building community, offering programming for all ages, and “increasing services while keeping an eye on the tax rate.”

Miller, 67, is married, with two adult children. He is the owner of Miller Flooring LLC and went to trade school after high school. He is on the town Zoning Board of Appeals.

About a new Public Works building, Miller said “if it is needed, and the town has a location and if the budget makes sense, then my answer is yes.”

Regarding solar farms, he said, “I would want to make sure that they would not affect our water/wetland areas,” whether there would be storage power issues and what would be cost or the return value to the Raymond residents.”

Miller said residents should be asked about whether to revive in-person town meetings.

Regarding other issues he thinks are important to the town, Miller said, committees should “work together as a team,” there should be a better process “for residents to make suggestions,” and “town employees need to communicate and work together as a team.”

In-person voting is to take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 10 at the Jordan-Small Middle School gym at 423 Webbs Mill Road in Raymond.

Absentee ballots are available now at the town office. <