Shapleigh candidates debate taxes, school spending and reserve planning ahead of March vote

Clinton Wesley “Wes” Finney, a write-in candidate for the RSU 57 school board, and select-board candidates Gloria Pillsbury and David Lemaire told residents at a March town forum that rising taxes and school spending are the dominant issues facing Shapleigh.

Finney, who chairs the district budget committee, said RSU 57’s most recent budget totaled $55,000,397 and that Shapleigh’s share was $5,504,352. He criticized the level of state subsidy, saying the district “is probably closer to getting 30% plus from the state” rather than the 55% subsidy guideline. He also flagged the cost of maintaining five elementary schools — and the extra principals and nurses that entails — as a driver of local spending. “Keeping student cost down is a good thing as long as you’re providing a quality education,” Finney said, and he urged a stronger curriculum focus to improve test scores.

At the same forum, Pillsbury, a one-year incumbent on the select board, pointed to solid-waste costs when explaining recent rate increases. “The increases in the tax rate the past two years … are mostly due to the high valuation on Shapleigh with the school budget, the county budget, and the bond payment for this building,” she said, adding that a large transfer-station budget and low recycling rates contribute to the town’s tax burden. Pillsbury is seeking a three-year term on the select board.

Lemaire, who serves on the planning board and the town forest committee, urged advance planning and a 0-based budgeting approach to avoid large spikes. “Plan x amount of dollars every year to build up the funds to cover something that you know needs to be done every 10 years,” he said, offering the fire truck as an example of a high-ticket item that can be funded through steady reserves rather than one-off large expenditures.

All three candidates emphasized the value of reserves and clearer timelines for infrastructure replacement. Pillsbury argued that properly funded reserve accounts would reduce the need for emergency borrowing: “Reserve accounts are extremely important and a high priority in the best interest of all taxpayers in Shapleigh,” she said. Lemaire added that priorities should be set by safety and legal obligations while improving transparency so residents understand why budgets change.

The forum included discussion of candidates’ relevant experience: Finney described his budget-committee work and role on the school board; Pillsbury cited long-term local residency and prior planning-board service; and Lemaire discussed managing multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets in his professional career and community volunteer experience.

Moderator Michelle Runney reminded residents of key dates: a public budget hearing on March 3, the municipal election on March 13 (8 a.m.–8 p.m.), the town meeting on March 14 at 10 a.m., and a May budget hearing at the Waterboro middle school. She said absentee ballots are available at the town clerk’s office and noted that the school-board vote on the district budget is typically scheduled for a June ballot set by the school board.

The forum closed with candidates’ brief remarks asking for voter support and with an invitation for attendees to ask follow-up questions after the event.