By David Harry
Staff Writer

Scarborough councilors and school board members will face challenges and residents will be asked to approve a bond for land purchases on the local November ballot.
Town Clerk Tody Justice released a list of four candidates Sept. 2 who are running for two Town Council seats and five candidates who are running for three seats on the School Board. Incumbents Nicola Ricco and Benedetto Viola will not be challenged as they run again for their seats on the Sanitary District Board of Trustees.
Councilors approved adding a ballot question seeking a $1 million bond to buy land for conservation at their Sept. 2 meeting.
Incumbent councilors Carol Rancourt and Richard Sullivan are seeking new three-year terms and face Michael Hoglund Jr. and Jessica Holbrook, both residents of Beech Ridge Road.
Town Council seats are “at large,” as opposed to elections in specific districts or wards, so the top two successful candidates will win the seats, said Carrie Noyes, the deputy town clerk and registrar of voters.
Incumbent school board members Jacquelyn A. Perry, Annalee Z. Rosenblatt and Jane M. Wiseman are each seeking another three-year term and are joined on the ballot by Robert C. Mitchell and James P. Shields.
These are also at-large seats to be won by the top three candidates.
While Town Manager Tom Hall said there is about $2.4 million in bonds on hand to buy land for conservation or recreation, councilors unanimously approved a referendum question asking for up to $1 million more.
According to a financial statement prepared by town Treasurer Ruth Porter, the bonds would have a 20-year term at 4.5 percent interest for a total debt of $1.45 million.
In the explanation accompanying the ballot question, it is noted the bonds will be issued as needed and only on approval by the Town Council.
In supporting passage of the bond, Jack Anderson, the president of the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, said an additional $200,000 from an anonymous donor will become available if voters approve the bond issue.
The donor has made the offer through Maine Community Foundation, Anderson said.
According to its Web site, the trust protects more than 1,000 acres, including the Meserve and Libby River farms. The Meserve Farm is now leased to John and Stacy Bliss, who operate the organic Broadturn Farm on the land along Broadturn Road.
Anderson said there are perhaps six areas of land that would use up the existing balance if bought, while Hall said the challenge grant is a good reason to approach voters about more bonds.
With the municipal questions, voters will consider seven questions on a statewide ballot.
Voters will be asked to repeal the same-sex marriage law passed by the Legislature last spring; lower the vehicle excise tax; repeal the school district consolidation law passed in 2007; require state and local spending limits to be exceeded only by voter approval; allow a broader use of marijuana for medical purposes; approve highway bonds and allow local officials more time to certify petition signatures.
Voters will cast ballots at the gym at Scarborough High School from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.