Vassalboro voters approve two of three local referendum questions

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro voters approved two of three local referendum questions at the polls on Nov. 5, according to Town Clerk Cathy Coyne. All three decisions were by narrow margins.

Question 1 asked voters’ approval to spend up to $360,000 from existing funds as matching money for a grant to cover the cost of replacing the Dunlap Bridge on Mill Hill Road. The vote was 1,383 yes to 1,169 no.

Question 2 asked voters to amend Vassalboro’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) document to add environmental improvement projects to authorized uses of TIF money. Voters said no, by a vote to 1,200 in favor to 1,338 opposed.

Question 3 asked approval of amendments to the Vassalboro Sanitary District’s charter. Voters accepted the amendments by a vote to 1,283 yes to 1,092 no.

For president of the United States, Vassalboro voters gave Donald Trump 1,496 votes and Kamala Harris 1,110 votes.

For United States Senator, incumbent Independent Angus King got 1,294 votes, Republican Demi Kouzounas 1,109, David Allen Costello 185 and Jason Cherry 69.

For United States Representative from District One, Republican Ronald Russell outpolled incumbent Democrat Chellie Pingree, 1,387 to 1,133.

In the only contested Kennebec County race on the ballot, for register of probate, Democrat Abigail Elizabeth St. Valle, of Augusta, got 1,075 Vassalboro votes to 1,437 for Republican Ronda C. Snyder, of Sidney. Results in uncontested races were as follows: for judge of probate, Elizabeth Mitchell, 2,042; for sheriff, L. Kenneth Mason, III, 2,217; and for county commissioner, Patsy Crockett, 1,958.

In elections for state legislators, Vassalboro votes were as follows:

— For state Senate District #15, Republican Richard Bradstreet, of Vassalboro, 1,575; Democrat Raegan LaRochelle, of Augusta, 1,026.
— For state House District #61, Republican Alicia Collins, of Sidney, 1,339; Democrat Laura Jones, of Vassalboro, 1,230.

Vassalboro voters approved two of five state-wide questions – a citizen initiative, three bond issues and a referendum. Vote totals were as follows:

— #1 (citizen initiative to limit political contributions) yes, 1,840; no, 770.
— #2 (bond issue for technology), yes, 1,218; no, 1,388.
— #3 (bond issue for historic preservation), yes, 1,199; no, 1,428.
— #4 (bond issue for trails), yes, 1,371; no, 1,243.
— #5 (changing the state flag), yes, 817; no, 1,819.