South Bristol’s longest-serving Selectman Donald G. Stanley, will celebrate his 27th year as selectman at the town meeting Tues. March 10. Stanley is running unopposed for another three-year term so he can “take care of some unfinished business.”
Stanley’s run for his selectman’s seat is uncontested, but he did confirm a rumor of a write-in candidate on the ballot this year.
His goals for the upcoming term are to see the debt service paid off on the community center, and search for a piece of waterfront property for townspeople to gain access. That search has not been successful as of yet, but another three years might bring some success in securing a piece of shore land for residents, Stanley said.
He explained South Bristol has the means to purchase a piece of coastal property if approved by voters, because of a $9 million dollar bequest from Mrs. Ann Stratton to the town.
“No one local has access to the waterfront any more,” Stanley said. “If we found the right piece of property, we could see if voters approve of taking some of that money.”
Stanley said he wants to keep the town running smoothly, and keep taxes as low as possible. He hopes to be able to provide residents with “what they need and a little of what they want, without making the mil rate go sky high.”
This year the county taxes and school costs could raise the mil rate. Those factors will decide whether South Bristol can stay at $3 per $1000 of assessed value or go up a little, he said.
“Part of the reason this town works so well, is because we don’t base spending on anticipated revenue,” Stanley said. “You shouldn’t do that in your personal life, and you shouldn’t do that at your job.”
When asked about his contribution as a South Bristol Selectman so far, Stanley jokingly said, “Absolutely nothing, just taking up space.”
He then said his biggest personal contribution was as a freshman selectmen when he suggested they move the tax billing date from September to June. He explained the September billing date didn’t make sense, because the town was sending tax bills out when local income begins to decrease.
Stanley said in the early fall, the summer people are mostly gone and business at local hotels and restaurants is dropping off. He advised the town to tax residents in June instead, at the peak of their earning capacity for the year.
“That works out for everyone,” he said. “We haven’t had to borrow any money for anticipated revenue ever since, saving who knows how much money over the years.”
During his 27 years in office, Stanley said he’s seen the construction of the new fire barn in South Bristol, a new town hall, a new library, and the renovation of the firehouse in Walpole.
He said this is a very exciting time to be a selectman. Stanley explained he is one of the first selectman whose term spanned two centuries; the first board was formed in South Bristol in 1915.
A lifelong resident of South Bristol, Stanley said his family has lived in the town for nearly 300 years.
His small farm with three horses and a flock of chickens is located on Rt. 129. He spends many daylight hours moving hay and caring for his animals.
Stanley grew up in the middle of Rutherford Island. His mother was born on Christmas Cove in a house owned at the time by his great-grandmother, he said.
Growing up in South Bristol in a fishing family instilled in him a passion for the ocean.
“The ocean is my favorite thing about South Bristol, after the people,” he said. “I’ve never lived very far from the sea in my life. My family was all fishermen; my dad was a merchant seaman. I lobstered for 14 years.”
In the 1960s Stanley left South Bristol for the Marine Corps in Camp Lejeune, he said. After completing his tour in the marines, he returned to Maine to go to college.
He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Art Education from USM, and taught at S.A.D 28 for two years, Stanley said.
In the late 1970s, he decided to quit teaching, and go lobstering. Shortly thereafter, he moved back to South Bristol and built a house on the S Road, according to Stanley.
At that point he became involved with town, and started attending town meetings. He said his first town appointment was as a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee.
The committee was focused on improving the baseball field behind the school at that time, said Stanley. Afterwards, he was on the budget committee for a couple of years.
Stanley became a selectman for his first term in 1982, and has been there ever since, he said. He describes it as a long-term love affair.
“I love South Bristol, and I love the people,” Stanley said. “As long as I think I can serve them well, I’ll stay right here. For now I’ll just look to the next three years.”
