GARDINER — Only one candidate from each of the city’s four districts submitted papers last week for the four open City Council seats, and all but one are sought by current councilors.

The election will be held on Nov. 5 and also include state referendum questions.

Newcomer Terry Berry, a real estate agent with an office in Hallowell, is running for the District 1 seat now held by Chris Leake.

Councilors Patricia Hart from District 2, Richard Heath from District 3 and Philip Hart from District 4 are running for re-election.

Only one candidate, Joseph Gould, is on the ballot for one of two open Regional School Unit 11 School Board seats held by Deborah Holmes and Tony Veit.

Berry, the owner of Century 21 Alliance in Hallowell, has been a Gardiner resident since 2011.

He said he had moved to the city around 1977 or 1978 but has been living in other communities since then. Most recently, he lived in Edgecomb, he said.

Berry said he decided to run because he wants to help maintain the quality of life in Gardiner while ensuring that residents can afford it. He commended the city for keeping the tax rate flat the last two years.

Philip Hart has been a councilor since 1990, according to the city staff; while the other two, Patricia Hart, no relation to Philip, and Richard Heath, were elected within the last two years.

Heath replaced Thomas Harnett this year after Harnett become mayor, and Patricia Hart was elected to her seat in 2011.

Leake has held the District 1 seat since the start of 2010.

Paul Koenig — 621-5663
pkoenig@mainetoday.com