WATERVILLE — City councilors tonight are scheduled to appoint a Ward 2 councilor to fill a vacancy created when Michael Owens resigned recently.

Two candidates, Zachary Bickford and Shirleyanne Ratajczak, submitted letters of interest for the seat, and councilors are expected to interview them tonight.

Whomever is chosen will serve only until a councilor elected in November is sworn in January, according to City Clerk Patti Dubois.

Bickford, 25, of Ash Street, works for his family’s business, Scotty’s Pizza, on Water Street. A 2006 Lawrence High School graduate, Bickford was in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2009, serving as an E4 specialist, he said. He said he is looking forward to being more involved in the community and wants to bring the skills he learned in both the family business and in the military to the council.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at The Center downtown.

Ratajczak, 66, of Colonial Street, was elected Ward 2 clerk two years ago. She is a retired teacher of art, and gifted and talented programs, and current substitute teacher in Waterville and Winslow.

She holds a master’s degree in arts administration from the University of Maine and a bachelor’s in media and art from the University of Maine in Farmington.

Ratajczak said she wants to bring her knowledge to the political system in city government.

Meanwhile, Democrat Edward Lachowicz, 32, is the only candidate whose name is on the November ballot for the Ward 2 council seat. Lachowicz, husband of state Sen. Colleen Lachowicz, recently received a bachelor’s degree in social work from University of Maine. He is treasurer of Kennebec County Democrats, vice chairman of the Waterville Democratic City Committee and former co-chairman of the Waterville Charter Commission.

The person councilors appoint to the seat tonight may not run for the seat in November, nor can anyone run as a write-in candidate, as the deadline has passed for both options, Dubois said.

Owens resigned from the seat in early September when he moved out of the ward.

In other matters, councilors will consider approving a food license for a new Dunkin’ Donuts at 339 Main St.

The property is the site of the former Arby’s restaurant, which closed recently. CRT LXXII LLC is the company seeking the license.

Councilors also will consider referring to the Planning Board for a public hearing and recommendation a request by Donald Dickey to rezone 139 College Ave. from commercial to residential.

Dickey wants to build a garage next to his home and needs the rezoning to meet the side building setback requirement.

The council also is scheduled to take the first of three votes needed to rezone 140 Western Ave.to allow a bakery and deli to be located there. The property formerly housed a parks and recreation building.

Councilors also will consider voting to change the term length for Planning board members from five years to up to five years. City Manager Michael Roy is scheduled to report on the police station budget, the sale of 167 Water St., a proposed CATV increase for taping council meetings and an underage drinking task force.

Police Chief Joseph Massey will discuss a presentation he gave in Boston recently about his prescription drug diversion program.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@mainetoday.com