- Name: Peter R. Bragdon
- Occupation: Self Employed: PB n J Yardworks
- Education: GNG Graduate, Associate Degree Business Administration
- Community Organizations/Service: Leader, Men’s Fellowship, Hospitality Committee, East Auburn Baptist Church; State of Maine Organ Donation Council; Volunteer, Root Cellar of Lewiston; Chairman, New Gloucester Community Fair; Chairman, New Gloucester Budget Committee; Vice Chairman, Comprehensive Plan Update Committee; Member, New Gloucester Capital Improvement Committee
- Interests/hobbies: camping, race cars, hockey, fairs and festivals
- Family status: Married (Jen), two kids: Makayla, 16, and Tyler, 19
Why do you want to serve in this role? What experience and expertise do you bring to the board? I want to serve the citizens of New Gloucester and be a problem solver, a voice and advocate for the citizens. I am a middle man and will find the compromise. The board of selectmen needs to be listeners and work for the people. I know the board has to make tough decisions and sometimes vote against their own personal opinion. I am okay with that.
I think I have proven myself through organizing a great community fair and leading the budget committee this year. Both of those took a true leader. I advocated for public input during the budget process. The board picked up some momentum this year and I think I can mix well with them to really move us forward.
What are the three most critical issues facing the town, and how would you address them?
- Growth – New Gloucester is at a crossroads. Do we continue to grow or do we keep New Gloucester small with fewer services? We need to work with the planning board, the land management and economic development committees and look at the new comprehensive plan to develop a road map. Part of this growth will be driven by Upper Gloucester. We need to be able to complete a vibrant project there that is not on the back of the taxpayers. There is a lot to do in this area and a lot of opportunity. It is important we are proactive in this.
- Finances – Keeping a low budget is very important. I am strong conservative. With that said, there is a point when ‘holding the line’ starts to affect the town services and its infrastructure. We are at that point now. We have a healthy undesignated fund balance and a reasonable mill rate but we have fallen behind on some projects and in certain areas, like buildings, roads and equipment. The board should be working with the new town manager to look at unique funding sources, new programs, updates in service and savings.
- Long-term Planning – We don’t have accurate long-term plans for the town. We need to develop a clear replacement plan for vehicles and equipment and fund it accordingly. We need to start saving for new projects. We need to develop plans to expand other areas such as the fairgrounds and to save for investing in the municipal campus, technology improvements, land purchase, and the library, to name a few. Committees, leaders following the comprehensive plan, and public input should drive this process. The plan needs to be fit to New Gloucester and be realistic in price.
Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know and might surprise them. I serve with Prison Fellowship Ministries by overseeing the program for the state of Maine. This is a program that connects prisoners with their children. Currently I have 24 churches I work with and served over 500 children last year.
