WAYNE — The two men running to fill a seat on the Board of Selectmen come from diverse backgrounds that each hopes would prove useful for the town.

Gary William Carr and Peter Ault are seeking the board seat occupied by Ray Giglio, who opted not to seek re-election. His term expires at the end of the month.

Voting is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Ladd Recreation Center, at 26 Gott Road. The open portion of the annual Town Meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the same facility.

Peter Ault, 82, and his wife have two grown sons, one of whom continues to live in Wayne. Ault, a veteran of the Korean War, summered with his family in Wayne until moving to the town permanently in 1942. Ault, who earned a degree in civil engineering at the University of Maine, moved back to the town permanently in 1962.

Ault worked for the Maine Department of Transportation from 1962 to 1995, primarily on bridge construction and repair. He continued to work part time for the DOT, consulting on bridge and traffic control projects, until a few years ago.

Ault was on the Board of Selectmen from 1993 to 1996, then served as the town treasurer until 2008. Ault said he has continued to stay in touch with the Town Office staff and tried to recruit “younger blood” to serve on the board when he learned Giglio had decided not to run again.

“There’s people out there, but none of them were available,” Ault said. “That’s why I threw my hat in the ring. It just seemed like people should have a choice.”

Ault said he is unaware of any pressing problems in town. He said residents are concerned primarily about property tax increases.

“I don’t know what one can do about it,” Ault said. “The state seems to have a lot to do with the direction we’re going in.”

Ault hopes his background in roads, bridges and town finances might prove useful. He said the current board has experience and has done a good job serving the town.

“I’d like to keep it going,” he said.

Gary William Carr, 74, and his ex-wife have two grown children. Carr first bought property in Wayne in 1971 and moved to the town permanently in 1992. Carr said he holds a doctorate in analysis of economic development investments by sector — how to invest money, Carr explained; an master of business administration degree in finance and accounting; and a bachelor of science degree in criminology and public affairs. Carr also served in the Navy.

Carr, who has owned GWC Transport since 1994, spent most of his working career at Bell System, where he worked in Craft and Management positions before doing rate-of-return analysis for Verizon on Wall Street. Carr is a member of the board of directors of the Owner Operators Independent Drivers Association.

Carr, who is on the town’s Budget Committee, said he thinks his expertise can provide the town insight into getting the most out of its investments. Carr said he is concerned about selectmen’s proposal to borrow $80,000 to fix town roads.

“The town of Wayne cannot go into debt to the extent they wish to push us,” he said. “That puts our children at risk. Who’s going to pay our taxes when everyone’s on a fixed income?”

Carr said he thinks government should create an atmosphere that fosters private-sector jobs.

“Taxes should be kept down while producing economic activity and greater revenue,” Carr said. “There are many elderly individuals struggling to stay in their homes and buy groceries.”

Craig Crosby — 621-5642
ccrosby@centralmaine.com

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