Four candidates have joined the race for a pair of three-year terms on the Richmond Selectboard.

Three of the candidates have local elected experience. Robert “Bucky” Bodge, the current chair of the board, is running for a fourth three-year term. Marilynn Grizkewitsch and O’Neil LaPlante, who have each served on the board previously, are also in the running. Stephen Caswell, a former fire chief in Richmond — and, briefly, Manchester — is the only political newcomer on the ballot.

The Kennebec Journal asked the candidates about their priorities for the next three years. Here’s what they said.

Bodge, the board chair, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In Richmond, select board members earn a stipend of $1,800 per year; the chairman earns $1,950.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES?

Stephen Caswell: My priorities are keeping taxes reasonable for families while still supporting all town services people depend on, making sure Richmond stays a safe and strong place to live, and being open and honest so people know what’s going on and feel included.

Marilynn Girzkewitsch: My priorities for now are to be involved in a realistic, ongoing community growth and improvement plan, provide an open line of communication between taxpayers and town officials, and oversee and assist in responsible decision-making and spending.

O’Neil LaPlante: We’ve got to take care of roads. I’ve done my own work taking a look at the roads, and they’re in pretty bad shape. Nobody’s fault, it’s just the natural consequences of age. The roads have gotten old. They have to be repaired. The next thing we got to take a look at is reestablishing reserve accounts, refilling our coffers, so to speak. We at one time had some pretty well put-together reserve accounts. Those are kind of dipped down, so we have to get back to work and fill those again.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?

Caswell: I’m running because I care about this town and the families in it, especially the kids growing up here, including my own. I’ve spent years serving the community and know what it means to show up when people need help. I’m not a politician, but have been involved in it for years. I’m someone who wants to do right by the people here and help keep Richmond a good place to live.

Girzkewitsch: I was on the board previously between 2022-25 and did not seek reelection at that time. Many things have changed in the year I have been off the board and I am ready to potentially reestablish that level of serving my community.

LaPlante: I have been a member of governmental organizations since I can possibly remember. I have worked as a volunteer firefighter, I have worked as a part-time police officer, I have worked as a member of a school board — I was chairperson of the original RSU 2 board. I’ve been busy for pretty much my whole adult life, and I have thoroughly enjoyed and being a member of local government. I relinquished the idea only because I ran into job demands, which is why I got done in the first place. Now I’d like to get back into it.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING RICHMOND? BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY?

Caswell: The biggest challenge is the rising cost of everything and how that impacts families while still trying to support all town services. The opportunity is making smart, steady decisions now that keep Richmond strong for the future without gouging the taxpayers.

Girzkewitsch: Our biggest challenge, as with most smaller communities, is the balance between having a responsible municipal budget and school budget while keeping in mind the income level of taxpayers. Many members of our community have a limited or a fixed income that does not increase at the same rate as taxes or the cost of daily living.

LaPlante: We have to be economically strong, but at the same time, we cannot depend on some magic moon dust that’s going to come along, and you know we’re going to have all kinds of economic development. That’s just not the way it’s going. We’ve got to depend on the resources we have right now and making those work for us, and that is possible. We’re not going to have a factory move in, and Amazon is not going to come and deposit one of their warehouses in the middle of Route 197. That’s just not going to happen.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT HOW RICHMOND FUNCTIONS, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Caswell: I would improve communication with the community. People should feel like they know what’s happening in their town and that their voice matters.

Girzkewitsch: It would be great to see more people of varying ages involved in productive dialogue about the needs and wants of our community. As a leader, I am elected to represent the thoughts and ideas of community members, but they have to be active participants in sharing those ideas.

LaPlante: I think we should take a serious, serious look at the way we spend our money when it comes to the structure of the town meeting. We only get approximately 60 to 70 people that come to our meeting. We’re gonna spend $9 million on 60 people. I’m not saying those 60 people are doing anything wrong; I’m saying we have to encourage participatory action when it comes to that town meeting.

DO YOU SUPPORT MORE DEVELOPMENT IN RICHMOND? WHY OR WHY NOT?

Caswell: I support growth, but it needs to be done the right way. We need housing — small, local and opportunity. The only way it’s going to work is it should fit the town and not take away from what makes Richmond a great place for families.

Girzkewitsch: I am in support of thoughtful planning that increases the tax base without too quickly taxing our resources and infrastructure while also being mindful of the type of community Richmond has historically been.

LaPlante: There are over 23 species of game fish in the Kennebec River, I’m told. If that’s true, that can be a definite advantage as far as the tourism industry. We just had a brand-new business come into town, an antiques business, and that’s definitely the kind of business that we can take advantage of and a part of what our community can be.