Seats open on Bucksport town council, school board

Nomination papers now available at town office

Aug. 11, 2026

By Emily Baer

BUCKSPORT—Town officials recently announced that four municipal positions are opening this fall. Nomination papers are now available from the Town Clerk’s office for the November election.

The town is seeking candidates for the following positions:

• Two three-year Town Council seats

• Two three-year School Board seats

According to the  town’s website, candidates in both races are required to obtain “no fewer than 25 and no more than 100 signatures from registered voters of the town of Bucksport” in order to qualify.

The town council terms for Mark Eastman, deputy mayor, and Tracy Hair expire on Dec. 31.

Last year’s school board race was unexpectedly dramatic, with a tight race, a prematurely announced tie and a run-off election. In the end, the run-off was an anticlimactic affair: Newcomer Emily Fitzgerald suspended her campaign after learning that she was ineligible to hold the position due to her husband’s employment with RSU 25. Fitzgerald’s name was still on the ballot—she announced her departure after the deadline for withdrawal—but incumbent Keith Kneeland won the election on  Dec. 30. Kneeland is now serving a three-year term.

The board terms for chair Tom Foster and member Abigail Foster will expire in January 2027.

Residents who are interested in running for either the town council or the school board are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk's Office during normal business hours.