LIVERMORE — Selectmen Mark Chretien and Peter Castonguay are being challenged by Raymond Castonguay and former Selectman Wayne Timberlake, respectively, in next week’s town elections.

Voters will cast ballots at the polls Tuesday, June 14.

Chretien and Raymond Castonguay are seeking a three-year seat on the board. 

Chretien has owned Chretien’s Construction for 23 years and been a member of the Road Committee since 2013. He is also an active member of the Spruce Mountain Ski Club.

He and his wife, Angela, have lived in Livermore since 2005. They have one daughter.

“We love this community and the memories we have made here,” he said.

Chretien said he has always been interested in public service and when the opportunity arose three years ago to join the board, he ran for a seat.

Chretien said his life experiences as a family man, small-business owner and community volunteer contribute to his ability to be an effective leader.

While every issue is critical to someone, Chretien said the sand/salt shed is the most pressing. All options must be studied to ensure taxpayers will get the best value to meet the town’s immediate and future needs, he said. 

Raymond Castonguay has been self-employed for 10 years. He has worked on the family farm and at Berry Hill Orchards. He is involved with St. Rose of Lima’s Faith Formation Committee.

He and his wife have four children attending local schools.

“Professionalism, levelheadedness, the ability to actively listen and to think outside the box are qualities that would serve me well as a selectperson,” he said.

Livermore’s three most critical issues are the sand/salt shed, rough roads and making sure taxes remain as low as possible, he said.

To balance educational needs with increasing costs, he said he would listen to school board members and educational experts and do research to make informed decisions.

Peter Castonguay said he originally ran for the Board of Selectpersons because he felt change was needed. He has served two terms and wants to continue because, he said, change takes time.

He owns and operates the only dairy farm in Livermore. He said he knows how to manage a budget and the impact rising taxes have on families and businesses.

He has lived in Livermore all his life and has many relatives in town.

He is a member of the National Farmers Union and Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs and president of his 4-H Club and his college Dairy Club.

He said the three pressing issues facing Livermore are getting more people involved in the school budget process, roads and the sand and salt shed.

“The town is making slow progress,” he said. “I would like to see that continue, making good long-term decisions, not what seems easy right now.”

He proposes the town look at all options for the shed in order to make an informed decision.

As for education, “We need to learn to do more with less,” he said. “The people need to get out and vote.”

Timberlake served as a selectperson for 12 years and wants to return to help the town.

A self-employed logger for 28 years, he was an over-the-road trucker during mud seasons. He worked for Verso Paper the past seven years.

“Owning my own company, I had to budget through mud seasons and other breakdowns,” he said. “I also have run different equipment and know how to repair some.”

Timberlake grew up in Livermore. He and his wife, Theresa, have three children and one grandson.

Timberlake has been a member of the Road Committee for the past 10 years. He has also coached baseball and soccer for Area Youth Sports and volunteered at Spruce Mountain Ski Club.

He said the sand/salt shed is the most pressing issue because of the cost.

“The roads are also getting bad and we need to see how to best address this issue,” he said.

Regarding education, Timberlake said, “We need to work with our elected representative to assist us as a small community. We also need to keep quality people on our school board to make sure we are getting the best education for the money.

“I have lived in Livermore all my life,” Timberlake said. “I want my family to be able to enjoy living here many years to come.” 

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net