PALMYRA -- Voters who head to the ballot booths today will elect two new selectmen and a representative for the school board.

Voting is scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. at the town hall.

Incumbents Herbert Brindley and Priscilla Jones are seeking re-election to the board of selectmen against Nathaniel Foss and Ronald Rowe.

Kelly Rowell is the lone candidate for the School Administrative District 48 board of directors.

Herbert Brindley

Brindley, 68, is completing his first term on the board of selectmen.

After holding several jobs in Massachusetts, including managing one of the largest warehouses in the state, Brindley moved to Palmyra with his wife in 2001. In addition to his time on the board, Brindley has served on the board of directors for the Irving Tanning Community Center, an ad hoc building committee and the consolidation committee for SAD 48. He also is a school bus driver for the district.

Brindley, who has completed courses in bookkeeping and accounting, believes his experience gives him an advantage when it comes to putting together budgets and getting the most for the town's money. It will be even more challenging to keep property taxes in check with the uncertain future of school funding, Brindley predicted.

"Hopefully people will feel like I've done a fair job so far and want me to continue," he said.

Brindley is committed to preserving the town's small-town flavor while creating an environment friendly to small businesses.

Part of maintaining the town's appeal means keeping the Palmyra Consolidated School open. Earlier this week, SAD 48 officials said the school may have to be closed to help close a projected $2 million budget deficit. Selectmen strongly oppose the idea, Brindley said.

"We want to keep that school open," he said. "I'll do what I have to do to make that happen."

Nathaniel Foss

Foss, 64, moved to Palmyra when his wife retired last year and wants to be involved in his new community.

A locksmith who has held prominent positions in the Masonic Temple Association in New Hampshire and continues to serve in Maine, Foss and his wife are part of an effort to start the Palmyra Historical Society.

Foss, like Brindley, wants to preserve the town's character and heritage and believes there are economic opportunities in the area's natural resources.

For example, Foss believes the lack of employment opportunities is the biggest issue facing the town. Starting a farmers market in town, which has been suggested in the past, could give local growers exposure and provide opportunities for property owners to grow their own vegetables for sale.

"You can make money selling fresh produce," Foss said.

He has free time to devote to the town and Foss wants to make the most of it.

"If you don't take part in the operation of your town, what you end up with is what you deserve," Foss said.

Priscilla Jones

Jones, 51, has spent 12 total years on the board of selectmen and hopes for at least another three.

"I like doing it," she said. "I think I have something to contribute to the town."

A part-time waitress, Jones also is an administrator of First Universalist Church in Pittsfield and has done assessing work for the town of Palmyra.

Jones also has served as treasurer of the Palmyra Park Boosters, worked on the planning board and been part of the comprehensive plan committee and bicentennial committee.

"I'm interested in government and the way things work," she said. "I try to educate myself on what's going on."

Jones said there are projects she hopes to continue working on if re-elected to the board, such as getting evaluations in order. Jones is a certified Maine assessor.

"We have some good help now and I think we're gaining on (assessments)," she said. "I'd like to continue."

She also would like to continue working to improve the town's roads, though with the sluggish economy, finding money will be increasingly difficult, Jones predicted.

"I hope people have seen what I've done and what I can do," Jones said.

Ronald Rowe

Rowe, 35, said he would work to cut wasteful spending if elected to the board.

The owner of Rowe's Auto, Rowe has served on the budget and road committees, worked with the park committee and bicentennial committee, and at one time worked with his family on the town's road crew.

Rowe said he regularly attends selectmen's meetings.

"I'm pretty involved with my community," he said. "I like to know what's going on. I'm hoping to get in and make a difference."

As a small business owner for the past 10 years, Rowe believes the town often spends more than it has to. For example, Rowe believes preparations for last summer's road work could have been organized more efficiently.

Less spending, more efficient spending, is the key to lowering property taxes, Rowe said.

"I feel that there has been a lot of wasteful spending," Rowe said. "I want to make sure things are run right."

Rowe has spent his entire life in Palmyra and said he knows almost everybody in town. He is anxious to represent them all.

"It's the people that matter," he said. "They have a lot of concerns and I don't think half of them are being met."

Craig Crosby -- 487-3288

ccrosby@centralmaine.com