The local ballot includes referendums on data center moratoriums and mobile home lot rent stabilization.
3 min read
Wells voters will weigh in on five referendums in the Nov. 3 election, including the town’s widely discussed mobile home lot rent stabilization ordinance.
Residents will also vote in state legislative races and for York County sheriff.
Early voting is now open at the Wells town clerk’s office during normal business hours. There’s also special Saturday hours on Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Election Day is Nov. 3, with voting held at the Wells Junior High School gym from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Here’s what Wells voters can expect to see on their ballots this fall.
EMS QUESTIONThe first referendum on the ballot asks voters whether the town should authorize 14 full-time positions to replace Wells Emergency Medical Services. Earlier this year, the organization notified the town that it would cease operations following a settlement involving alleged Medicare fraud.
If approved, the authorization would allow the town to provide emergency medical and ambulance services previously provided by WEMS.
The total cost is estimated at about $1,388,072, or $99,148 per position. That includes benefit costs.
Both the Board of Selectmen and budget committee unanimously recommend passage of this article.
OTHER REFERENDUMSOne referendum question will have voters decide whether to approve the relocation of a drainage easement. According to the town engineer’s proposal, a newly built home’s foundation encroaches on the current easement, but if voters approve, then the drainage can be redirected into an adjacent parcel of land.
The next article asks voters whether to let the select board issue up to $5,500,000 in general obligation bonds for the existing fire station on Log Cabin Lane. That funding would go toward renovating, expanding and equipping the station and its personnel.
Residents will also decide whether to approve an ordinance that would establish a retroactive moratorium on data centers. The 180-day moratorium, retroactive to June 16, would pause any data center developments 100,000 square feet or larger.
Finally, voters will consider a rent stabilization ordinance for mobile home lots. Residents of Wells mobile home parks have said they’ve been struggling with rent increases in recent years.
Diane Whiteside, 79, said lot rents at Blueberry Ridge Mobile Home Park were around $395 a month in 2015. Now, her rent is $625, with some newcomers even paying upward of $900.
“I’m still working because I have to keep my home,” Whiteside said. “I have an 82-year-old neighbor who has to borrow money to afford her lot.”
The Board of Selectmen previously approved a 60-day moratorium on lot rent increases to temporarily protect residents from further hikes prior to the vote.
STATE CANDIDATESResidents in House District 145, which covers a majority of Wells, will decide between two newcomers, Democrat Kristin Davis and Republican Caleb Chase, as a state representative.
House District 146 covers a portion of the coast of Wells, as well as York and Ogunquit, where voters will decide between Democratic incumbent Gerry Runte Jr., serving his second term, and former District 149 Rep. Bradley Moulton, a Republican.
All Wells voters will also decide between current Kennebunk state Rep. Dan Sayre, a Democrat, or Jonathan Fallon, a Republican, to succeed current Democrat Joe Rafferty as their state senator.
All York County residents will also decide on a referendum abolishing a county treasurer position, as well as electing a sheriff. Incumbent Democrat William King is seeking a fifth term against Republican David Corbett. (Independent Brian Pellerin will appear on the ballot even though he withdrew from the race and was recently hired as the new police chief in Wells.)
Abigail is a community reporter for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Sanford, and Wells. She recently moved up to Maine from Connecticut after getting her bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism at the University... More by Abigail Driscoll
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