Selectmen Stephen Ham said the people of Boothbay are as resourceful and diverse as the board he currently serves on, which is why he is seeking another term.

Having been a Boothbay selectman for 12 years, Ham said he has learned a lot about his town, local government and its people.  

“I think a lot differently than I did before I was a selectman,” Ham said. “I thought differently of the area. Now I understand how things work. I know how things have evolved.”

Whether it's debating TIFs, paving contracts or economic development projects, there have been many local issues that have surfaced during Ham's tenure. If reelected, Ham said he wants to continue to be a part of the solution.

Ham said under  the current administration of Town Manager Jim Chaousis, the town is heading in the right direction.

“I think there is a lot of important stuff going on right now, and I think Jim has a lot of potential to get it done, and I would kind of like to be a part of it,” Ham said.

As one of Boothbay's five selectmen, Ham considers himself to be moderate voter among a diverse group of guys. 

“For some reason when we sit down, even when we disagree, we talk things out,” Ham said. “Nobody gets mad. We always come to a civilized decision, without any rhetoric or arguing or bickering.”

When it comes to the future of Boothbay, Ham said there remains many obstacles the town must overcome, such as an aging community and losing St. Andrews Hospital. Ham said he firmly believes there is an affordable way to build water and sewer lines up to Boothbay's Industrial Park to bring manufacturing jobs to the region and attract more families with children for our schools.

“We've got room to grow,” Ham said. “With the right leadership and the right board, I think Boothbay can really prosper and do really well.”  

May 5 is election day and voting hours will be between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Town Office at 1011 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay.