JAY – Voters will have two contested selectpersons races to consider when they head to the polls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, at the Jay Community Building.

No one asked questions Monday during a public hearing on a proposed $5.2 million town budget for 2016-17. The proposal, which will also be taken up April 26, is $368,434 less than the current budget. After factoring in anticipated revenue, the amount taxpayers will need to raise for just the municipal budget is $3.88 million. It is $415,434 less than what was raised for the current budget. 

The proposal does not include the town’s share of the Regional School Unit 73 budget or Franklin County budget. Those budgets have not been set.

Selectperson Chairman Justin Merrill read the list of candidates who are seeking election to town, school and water district seats.

There is a three-way contest for one, two-year second selectperson seat. Seeking election to the position are Joyce Badeau, Keith Cornelio and Daniel Finley. The seat is  held by Steve McCourt who is not seeking re-election.

Vying for one, three-year term for the third selectpersons term are Barbara Cook and Judy Diaz. 

Doug DiPasquale and Shari Ouellette are seeking two, three-year terms on the RSU 73 board of directors. Both are board members.

Director Michael Schaedler is not seeking re-election.

Running uncontested for a one-year position on the RSU 73 board is former Director Darcie Calden. The seat is held by DiPasquale.

Stephan Franchetti is seeking re-election to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees of the North Jay Water District.

Leslie “Les” Gatchell is running for a three-year term on the Jay Village Water District. Current Trustee Darren Roundy is not seeking re-election.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net