What’s on the ballot in Wells this November?
Wells Voters Set to Decide on Five Referenda, State Races and County Sheriff This November
WELLS, Maine – On Election Day, November 3, residents of Wells will head to the Wells Junior High School gym for a full day of voting, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The town’s ballot will feature five local referenda, two state‑legislature contests, and the York County sheriff race. Early voting is already open at the town clerk’s office during normal business hours, with a special Saturday session on October 24 from 8 a.m. to noon.
A Town‑Wide Review of Services
The first referendum asks voters to authorize the town to hire 14 full‑time positions to replace the private ambulance operator Wells Emergency Medical Services (WEMS). Earlier this year, WEMS notified the town that it would cease operations following a $340,000 settlement over alleged Medicare fraud. If the referendum passes, the town would assume responsibility for the emergency medical and ambulance services that WEMS previously provided.
The estimated cost of the new positions is $1,388,072—about $99,148 per position when benefits are included. Both the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee have unanimously recommended that the referendum be approved.
Infrastructure and Development Issues
Other ballot questions deal with the town’s infrastructure and development plans:
Drainage Easement Relocation – A new home’s foundation encroaches on an existing drainage easement. If voters approve the referendum, the drainage can be redirected onto a neighboring parcel. The proposal is overseen by the town engineer.
Fire‑Station Bond Issue – The town would be allowed to issue up to $5.5 million in general‑obligation bonds for the existing fire station on Log Cabin Lane. Proceeds would finance renovations, expansions, and equipment upgrades for the station and its personnel.
Data‑Center Moratorium – A 180‑day moratorium would be retroactively applied from June 16, pausing any data‑center developments of 100,000 square feet or larger. The ordinance would give the town time to review the environmental and community impact of such large‑scale projects.
Mobile‑Home Lot Rent Stabilization – Residents of Wells’ mobile‑home parks have reported sharp rent increases in recent years. A former 60‑day moratorium on lot‑rent hikes was already approved by the Board of Selectmen to provide temporary relief. The new ordinance would establish a longer‑term rent‑stabilization framework for the mobile‑home lots.
Diane Whiteside, 79, a resident of Blueberry Ridge Mobile Home Park, shared her experience: “Lot rents were about $395 a month in 2015. Now I’m paying $625, and some newcomers are paying up to $900.” She added, “I’m still working because I have to keep my home. I have an 82‑year‑old neighbor who has to borrow money just to afford her lot.”
State‑Legislature Candidates
All Wells voters will also decide on three state‑legislature positions:
House District 145 – Covering the majority of Wells, the race pits Democrat Kristin Davis against Republican Caleb Chase. Both candidates are newcomers to the race.
House District 146 – Encompassing part of the coast of Wells, York, and Ogunquit, the contest is between incumbent Democrat Gerry Runte Jr. (second term) and former Representative Bradley Moulton (Republican).
State Senate – The district’s incumbent Democrat Joe Rafferty is leaving office. Wells voters will choose between Democrat Dan Sayre and Republican Jonathan Fallon.
York County Sheriff and Treasurer Races
All York County voters, including those in Wells, will elect the county sheriff and decide on a referendum to abolish the county treasurer position. Incumbent Sheriff William King (Democrat) is running for a fifth term against Republican David Corbett. The independent candidate Brian Pellerin withdrew from the race after being hired as the new police chief in Wells, though his name remains on the ballot.
How the Ballot Looks
On the ballot, voters will first encounter the five referenda, each framed as a simple “Yes” or “No.” The state‑legislature questions will list the candidates’ names and party affiliations. The sheriff and treasurer races will be separate sections of the ballot.
The town has advertised that early voting at the clerk’s office is “open for your convenience,” and the special Saturday session on October 24 will allow voters who cannot make it during the week to cast their ballots before the deadline.
Community Perspective
While the town’s officials emphasize the need to maintain essential services and protect residents from unchecked rent hikes, some community members have expressed concern about the cost and scope of the proposed projects. “We need to be sure we’re not over‑burdening taxpayers,” said a local resident. “The bonds for the fire station, the new EMS positions—those are big financial commitments.”
Others point to the practical benefits of the referenda. “If we lose WEMS, we’ll be left without emergency medical coverage,” said a longtime resident. “Having the town step in could keep the service steady.”
Election Day Logistics
The Wells Junior High School gym will serve as the polling place, with ballot boxes and voting booths set up to accommodate a wide range of voters, including seniors and people with disabilities. Election officials have announced that a volunteer volunteer team will assist with the logistics and ensure a smooth voting process.
Looking Ahead
The outcome of the referendum on the EMS positions will be a bellwether for how Wells manages its public services. Similarly, the decisions on the rent‑stabilization ordinance and the data‑center moratorium could set precedents for other towns grappling with rapid development and housing affordability.
For voters, the ballot promises a mix of practical matters—ensuring emergency services, managing infrastructure, and regulating development—alongside the more traditional choices of state and local representatives. Whether the town will take on the responsibility for its own ambulance services or adopt a new framework for mobile‑home lot rents will be decided on November 3.
“It’s about how we want to shape our community for the next decade,” said one resident. “Every vote counts.”
Voters in Wells and the wider York County are encouraged to review the ballot measures, attend candidate forums, and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections.
