SOUTH PORTLAND — Election Day may be about 12 weeks away, but this fall’s field of potential candidates is already taking shape.

A handful of residents have taken out nomination papers from the City Clerk’s office since the forms became available on July 28.

Three residents have taken out papers for two at-large seats on the City Council. Colchester Drive resident Albert Dimillo and Hillside Avenue resident Don Russell have take out papers challenging incumbent Councilor Tom Blake.

Dimillo is a retired corporate accountant and frequent critic of city and school spending and accounting practices. Russell is a local marketing professional and one-term Planning Board member.

Councilor Linda Boudreau is finishing her third consecutive term, and cannot run because of term limits.

Meanwhile, there are three School Board seats up for grabs. So far, incumbent board Chairman Richard Carter of Thompson Street is the only potential candidate to take out papers for the District 1 seat.

Incumbent Sarah Goldberg of Pine Street is the only one to withdraw papers for the District 2 seat, while no one has taken out papers for the District 3 seat, currently held by Clifford Street resident Jerald McQueeney.

Anchorage Place resident John Brady, meanwhile, is the only candidate for the Portland Water District seat representing South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.

Papers must be returned to the clerk with at least 100 valid signatures by Sept. 7 for a candidate’s name to be placed on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Randy Billings can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or rbillings@theforecaster.net