Nomination papers out for open City Council, school board seats in Augusta

AUGUSTA — Nomination papers are available for one open position on the Augusta City Council and another on the Board of Education.

The spots will be filled in a special election in June, when voters are also expected to vote on a referendum on the school budget.

The vacant at-large council seat was held by Jeffrey Bilodeau, who resigned in February because he plans to pursue a fellowship for his work, and his family’s home in Augusta is for sale.

The at-large school board seat was vacated by Laura Hamilton, who resigned from the board in October after she said the board had become a hostile environment where board members who asked questions about proposals and policies favored by administrators and a core group of board members were treated with hostility and anger. Kim Martin, the board chairwoman, denied those allegations.

The city charter states that when council or school board positions become vacant for longer than six months, city councilors should schedule an election to fill the spot as soon as is practical.

Nomination papers for both positions are now available from the city clerk’s office, according to Augusta City Clerk Roberta Fogg.

The winning candidates will fill the remainder of the council and school board terms. The council term expires Dec. 31, 2017, while the school board term runs until Dec. 31, 2018, according to Fogg. Both terms will be filled immediately following the June election once the newly elected officials are sworn into office.

The election is scheduled for June 13.

Candidates for either of the local government positions must submit nomination papers signed by at least 100 qualified voters of Augusta and be registered and qualified to vote in Augusta themselves to have their names appear on the ballot.

Completed nomination papers must be filed with the city clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. April 12.

Fogg said candidates are asked to file their nomination papers early to provide sufficient time to obtain additional signatures, if necessary.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647

[email protected]

Twitter: @kedwardskj

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