WILTON — Three of four candidates for selectperson greeted voters and answered questions at Wednesday’s forum hosted by the Wilton Group.

Candidates are Irv Faunce, Jeff Adams, Gerald Whitney and Joey Kinsey. Kinsey was unable to attend the event.

They are seeking the seat held by Tom Saviello, who is not running for re-election.

Elections will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at the Town Office.

Responding to questions from Wilton Group Chairman Jeff Chaisson, Whitney told the approximately 35 residents he has lived in Wilton for 40 years and worked for the town in the Public Works Department for 30 of them. He said he would like to see more people involved in town decisions and actions and thinks people want a change on the board.

Adams grew up in Wilton and graduated from Wilton Academy in 1964. After three years in the Army, he worked for the Maine Department of Transportation, supervising people and a $1 million-plus budget.  

Adams agreed with Whitney about getting people involved and suggested finding a way with today’s technology to poll taxpayers on the budget, policy or major initiatives.

Faunce has served as a selectperson for two terms. His background is in management, particularly health care, and he manages a 58-bed facility in Madison, he said.  

Faunce and his wife, Jan Collins, also own a small business, the Wilton Blueberry Farm. He served on the Budget Committee and previously on the Planning Board. 

While he considers property taxes a concern to address, Faunce thinks Wilton is on the edge of opportunity with the recently awarded $400,000 Community Development Block Grant.

Candidates were asked what background or life experiences will help them if elected.

After working for Wilton 30 years, Whitney said his knowledge of the town will help him make decisions.

Adams said growing up in Wilton, delivering papers, Wilton Academy and Vietnam all shaped who he is. 

“I owe a lot to the environment of the town of Wilton,” he said.

His professional work with MDOT, where he was a program manager for the Highway Department, made him innovative and able to make choices, he said.

Faunce said that being the father of seven children helped him realize the value of community.

“Being a selectperson is my way of contributing,” he said.

His experience as a selectperson will let him hit the ground running, he said, and his professional experience in management and running a small business are also helpful.

Also Wednesday, Doris Cushman was recognized, and this year’s town report is dedicated to her. A resident of Wilton for 95 years, Cushman has always been involved in activities in Wilton because she loves it so much, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said. 

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