When Christopher Haskell, 29, tells people he is running for selectmen, the most common question he gets is “why the hell do you want to do that?”

“It's time to get some younger people involved in town government,” Haskell said. “It's our town, too, and we need a voice. We need to be involved so we can have opportunities for younger people.

“Kids graduate, and move away, because there is nothing for them here. That needs to change.”

Haskell was born and raised in Boothbay Harbor, graduating from Boothbay Region High School in 2003. He is a board member of the Boothbay Region Health and Wellness Foundation, and a member of the Knights of Pythias Boothbay Lodge 32.

“Living here my whole life is one reason I felt compelled to run,” Haskell said. “I feel it's important to be involved.”

He is running for the one-year position open on the board, the position formerly held by Robert Splaine, who resigned late last year.

“If I'm elected, I can serve the one-year term and see how well I do and how I like doing it,” Haskell said. “If it's something I want to pursue, I plan to run again for a full three-year term.”

Haskell is in favor of the projects the selectmen and town are currently involved in, including the Fish Pier, the Route 27 sidewalk project, and the Walkability group's creation of a peninsula logo. He is very interested in the creation of the town budget, especially the allocation for the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service.

“I'm a numbers guy,” Haskell said. “I enjoy working with numbers and I've been looking at the budget online for BRAS; I find it fascinating. With the hospital closed it's important for everyone to keep an eye on what the future holds for St. Andrews and BRAS.”

“I'm pleased at the changes made on the Fish Pier, especially the fact that the trucks aren't stuck right next to the street,” Haskell said. “I was skeptical at first, but everyone came together and really made the project work. That's a positive direction — anything that helps businesses and brings people into the community is a good thing.”

Haskell's ideas for improving the town include creating more bicycle-friendly areas, promoting the Land Trust trails, and supporting the creation of more youth-friendly activities.

“I remember spending time at the bowling alley downtown, and I'm very sad they closed. It would be wonderful if someone could fix it up and open it, maybe even as a year-round destination,” Haskell said.

Haskell has already informed the other Knights at Boothbay Lodge 32 that should he be elected, his position with the town will come first. So he will only be at meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month, as the other two will clash with selectmen's meetings.

Citizens of Boothbay Harbor who are looking to run for town positions can pick up nomination papers from the town office of Boothbay Harbor. They must be turned into the town clerk of Boothbay Harbor by 4:30 p.m. on March 18, 2014. Voting hours will be Friday, May 2, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Town Meeting will be held the next morning at 9 a.m. at the Boothbay Region Elementary School.