BELFAST - The lone contested City Council race recently became a one-candidate affair. Kassie Merrill withdrew her name earlier this week, leaving John Arrison as the sole candidate running in Ward 5. Current Ward 5 Councilor Nancy Hamilton is serving out her second term and not seeking re-election.

Contacted on Friday, Merrill declined to comment on her decision to drop her first bid for city office. Merrill and Arrison each filed their nomination papers on deadline day, making for an unexpected contest in an otherwise flat field of Council races.

Merrill’s name will not appear on the November ballot, according to City Clerk Amy Flood, who said she heard from the Merrill on Sept. 22, the deadline date for submitting local ballot information for printing, and was able to remove her name.  

“I caught it just in time,” Flood said.

Ward 1, Councilor Mary Mortier is running unopposed for a second term. In Ward 2, Neal Harkness is the lone candidate for the seat held by four-term Councilor Roger Lee, who is not seeking re-election.

City councilors and the mayor each serve two-year terms. Wards 3 and 4 along with the mayorship are decided on odd years, Wards 1, 2 and 5 on even.

Two of Belfast’s six seats on the Regional School Unit 20 board will be on the ballot in November, however there are no declared candidates for either position. Current directors Christopher Hyk and Stephanie Wade are not seeking re-election.

Write-ins are permitted in all races, and the City Council has the authority to appoint RSU 20 board members to fill vacancies, as needed.

Related stories: 

Last-minute entries make one contest in Belfast Council races

As deadline nears, Belfast Council, school board races wide open

Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com