Five vie for three seats on Old Orchard Beach Town Council

Five candidates – including incumbents Kenneth Blow, Shawn O’Neill and Michael R. Tousignant – are running for three, two-year terms on the Old Orchard Beach Town Council.

Besides the contested races, the hot-button issue on the Nov. 5 ballot is the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which would cap the amount of rent charged or increases levied to ensure affordability at Old Orchard Village and Atlantic Village, one of two local mobile home parks.

The citizen’s petition was filed after the rent was increased 14.5%, pending a proposed sale. The rent had never increased more than 5%, according to information provided by town officials. If adopted, the change would take effect 30 days after it was approved. For more details, see the Saco Bay News article at https://sacobaynews.com/voters-in-old-orchard-beach-to-decide-on-mobile-home-park-rent-control-ordi.htm

In addition to their position on the proposed ordinance, the candidates were asked about their background, political experience and one other issue of concern via email. Their responses are listed in alphabetical order by their last names.

The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the OOB High School gym at 40 E. Emerson Cummings Blvd.

 

 Kenneth Blow, 62

Owner of Seacoast RV's

Independent

Kenneth Blow, vice chairperson of the council since 2021, said one of his major achievements as councilor was initiating a traffic study that includes the Ocean Park Road corridor from the I-195 spur in Saco to the Halfway Intersection and add a roundabout and a traffic light at Smithwheel Road. 

Another milestone was the $33 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade project, said Blow, who helped resolve issues with the Homewood Park development on Cascade Road.

Blow said a group felt that a rent stability ordinance would help the town budget for future rent and increases. Concerning the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance, Blow questions the new owner’s ability to see a reasonable return and still maintain high standards at the park. Also, the cost to manage the ordinance has not been established but could be as high as $100,000 or more, according to Blow.

“At the very least, should this ordinance pass, the council will have to wait … one year and revisit the ordinance to make any changes to improve the ordinance.”

Blow said he is concerned about all issues facing Old Orchard Beach and his priority is “to take swift action on matters that impact the well-being and quality of life of our community.”

Blow has been on the council since 2013, served on the planning board from 2001-2002, and was also a longtime member of the board and president for three years of Libby Library. Additionally, he was on both the board of Biddeford - Saco - OOB Transit and Maine Water Advisory Board from 2013-2024, serving as chair of both organizations from 2022-2024.

 David T. Boudreau

Director of Sales & Marketing Mosaic/Premier Group

Independent

David Boudreau, who is vice chair of the local school board, said he is running for town council because he has experience in elected positions, budgeting and negotiating.

He has served nine years on the RSU 23 board, six as chair. He was also on the school board in Gardner, Massachusetts, for eight years, seven as chairperson, as well as four years on the Gardner council.

Balancing the budget was a priority when he was elected to the RSU 23 School Board, Boudreau said, noting the budget was in the red by more than $1 million and now there is over a million dollars in the contingency fund.

“I can proudly say that the budgeting and financial decisions that I contributed to resulted in not requiring an increase to the taxpayers six out of my nine years on the board,” he said.

While he is not suggesting that the town’s finances are not being done properly, he said “it is not a bad idea for someone with my experience to review it and make suggestions to save money for the taxpayers without decreasing the services to the town. I feel I can do this.”

When it comes to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance Boudreau said, “We need to bring all the parties affected and try to work out a positive resolution that would not require an ordinance of this situation,” adding he would like to see “some sort of cap” on increases.

Property owners already pay lot rent or another assessment, so it’s “a very tricky situation,” Boudreau said, because while park owners can only raise the rent so high, their costs also go up.

Boudreau said the issue will be a priority whether it passes or not. “It still needs to be monitored and make sure the outcome will be amicable for the citizens.”

He said Old Orchard Beach will be building both a new school and a water treatment plant, and he wants to ensure the town’s decisions related to those projects will be communicated to residents.

“All people in town deserve to have the correct information and the impact it will have,” Boudreau said. “I will be available to all citizens, and I will respond in a timely manner.

“I understand that not all my decisions will be popular, but I promise to listen to all concerns, then I will explain why I make the decisions I make.”

 Guy A. Fontaine

Retired from the Department of Defense

Democrat

Although Guy Fontaine has not served as an elected official, the lifelong town resident managed the OOB Ballpark for six years, was a special police officer in town for three years, an a reserve patrol deputy with the York County Sheriff’s Department for more than two decades.

Fontaine called the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “an interesting subject as it appears there is a trend for large companies to buy up the last remaining affordable housing available and control the cost for large profits.

“This needs to be watched carefully to protect our citizens from overpricing, both at state and local levels.”

Another issue is increasingly high taxation in Old Orchard, said Fontine, noting his real estate bill increased 9.7% this year.

“OOB is made up of a large section of fixed-income citizens that cannot afford the increases each year,” Fontaine said. “I think a hard look needs to be taken to find ways to decrease spending and increase revenue to lower our taxes and make living in OOB affordable.”

 Shawn  O’Neill

Republican

Shawn O’Neill has been on the council for 25 years and is now the chairperson. He was a call firefighter for 17 years and a reserve police officer for three years.

He said his most notable accomplishments during his tenure on the board are “building a strong, team-oriented workforce through fair and equitable labor negotiations; providing the workforce with the right tools to do their jobs efficiently and effectively; and completing several large capital improvement projects while demonstrating fiscal responsibility resulting in one of the lowest mil rates in the state.”

O’Neill said he does not support the rent stabilization ordinance “only because it was presented to the town unfairly and too quickly.”

 He said when the town proposes an ordinance, the council holds workshops to get input and feedback, “which results with a mutual consensus that is fair to the entire community.”

“This ordinance, which originated from a community in California, does not work best for all in OOB.”

 Michael  Tousignant

Michael R. Tousignant was unable to respond to emailed questions or a phone interview due to a personal issue.

According to a previously published article in the Saco Bay News (https://sacobaynews.com/six-face-off-for-three-town-council-seats-in-old-orchard-beach-p610-1.htm), he has been a long-standing member of the community for almost 60 years and served the town in some capacity for decades.

Tousignant was a member of the planning board from 2000-2004, and served as a firefighter from 1984-2004, retiring with the rank of lieutenant.

“This has given me a great ability to continue borrowing from the significant lessons of the past and continue to lead our community in the future,” he said.

The incumbent said he understands the demographics of the town and “Those that know me, know that I put a lot of time and effort into decision making for our community.

“I have and will continue to maintain a low tax rate and a fair sustainable quality of life. I expect and welcome being held accountable for my actions.”