AUGUSTA — Two candidates plan to seek a vacant at-large school board position up for election the same day as the June state primaries.
The at-large spot opened up after its previous holder, Edward Hastings, was elected chairman of the school board in November 2017. Hastings was sworn in to the new position in January, leaving the at-large spot empty since then.
Two candidates, Kevin Lamoreau and Jennifer Dumond, both relative newcomers to Augusta politics, have submitted nomination papers to run for the seat.
Lamoreau, 36, who ran unsuccessfully as a write-in candidate against three other candidates for a different at-large position on the school board in June 2017, works in computer-aided design data input for Cives Steel in Augusta.
Dumond, 48, who has not run previously for office locally, is owner of Kennebec Hand Dipped Chocolates Inc. in Augusta.
The victor in the June 12 election would serve the remaining time of Hastings’ unexpired term, until Dec. 31, 2019, according to City Clerk Roberta Fogg.
Augusta’s special election will take place the day of the June primaries and state referendum.
That same day, June 12, Augusta is also likely to hold a school budget validation referendum vote.
Augusta also might ask voters to approve a slate of generally minor proposed changes to the city charter, if councilors approve the changes.
City councilors initially approved them and agreed to send them to voters for considertion in June, earlier this month. But City Manager William Bridgeo said they did so without city officials first holding a public hearing, as required by state law. He said councilors could vote Thursday to schedule the required public hearing and a new vote on sending the proposed charter changes to voters on the June ballot.
The proposed charter changes include a somewhat controversial proposal to replace the current charter requirement that city councilors shall form a charter commission at least every 10 years with a requirement that councilors only consider forming a charter commission every 10 years. The change would make electing a charter commission every 10 years, which is currently mandatory, optional for councilors.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
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