- Name: Paul L. Larrivee, Jr.
- Occupation: Licensed Maine Forester, Owner, 207 Forestry Consulting Services, LLC
- Education: Gray-New Gloucester High School graduate (1995), University of Maine Orono Graduate, B.S. Forestry (1999)
- Community Organizations/Service: Coaching/Assistant Coaching, GNG Little League; Assistant Scout Master, New Gloucester Boy Scout Troop 135; past state Chair, Maine Tree Farm Committee; 17 years (current) Cumberland County Chair, Maine Tree Farm Committee
- Interests/hobbies: Fishing and hunting with my family. Spending time in the north woods.
- Family status: Married over 19 years (Laura), and two boys: Sam, 14, and Nolan 12; also my yellow lab Maisy
Why do you want to serve in this role? What experience and expertise do you bring to the board? I have chosen to run for selectman because I believe we are at a crossroads regarding the future of New Gloucester. The citizens have the ability to guide what the future of this community will look like. The citizens also have the ability to decide what town services are needed and/or required and how we pay for them. I bring to the board the ability to unite people, research issues thoroughly, listen to all those involved, make informed decisions and be willing to compromise.
What are the three most critical issues facing the town, and how would you address them? I believe the three most critical issues facing the town are Covid-19, property taxes, and public involvement. We need to be aware of the financial constraints the pandemic has placed on our families in the community and that not everyone has been able to work. Also, many parents have had to stay home with school and daycare closures. When we look to maintain or increase services to the community we need to remember these people as well as our senior citizens on fixed incomes. Finally, we need to look at ways to increase community involvement and volunteer opportunities.
Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know and might surprise them. I currently work as a forester with the towns of Falmouth, Cumberland, and North Yarmouth, and just recently worked on a video with Maine Audubon regarding forestry and songbird habitats. Last year we created a short movie focusing on the town forests of Falmouth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zzP-yI_V7A
