NORTH YARMOUTH — Alex Carr, a retired U.S. Navy commander who is now a lieutenant with North Yarmouth Fire and Rescue, announced Monday that he is a write-in candidate for the Board of Selectmen.

With no one running for one open seat on the board, Carr said he was prompted to run after reading a letter to The Forecaster from Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth. Graham asked community members to run for the board post, as well as another open seat on the Budget Committee.

“Our community had a very well attended Town Meeting where strong, bright voices spoke up and were heard,” Graham wrote. “These are the voices we need to be our selectmen and committee members.”

Mark Girard of Timber Lane is seeking a second term as selectman, while Darla Hamlin of New Gloucester Road, also finishing a first term, is not running for re-election.

No one submitted nomination papers for Hamlin’s seat by the April 24 deadline.

Carr said in an email Monday that he corresponds with town leaders frequently and had envisioned seeking office in the coming years, “but if there is a need now I am happy to fill it.”

He added that “significant challenges are presented by selecting a permanent Town Manager, managing the (North Yarmouth Middle School) and Wescustogo properties, and re-imagining the Village Center plan.  These decisions affect the next couple decades for (North Yarmouth, and) I want to be a player in that discussion.”

Carr said residents could contact him at AlexCarrNY@gmail.com.

Incumbent Pam Ames of Gray Road is the only candidate on the June 10 ballot for one of two open Budget Committee seats. The recently approved Town Charter reduced the committee from nine members to seven, so two seats are available instead of three.

Donna Palmer and Carol Burgess are not seeking re-election.

Joy Malloy of Royal Road is unopposed for another term on the Cemetery Commission.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

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