Montville — With local elections Nov. 2, the names of candidates are plastered on campaign posters all over town. Seven Town Council spots are up for grabs.

Running for his fourth term on town council, Democrat Tim May, 56, is the chairman of the council and of the Democratic Town Committee. He retired in August after working for Electric Boat for 17 years and owns May Engineering.  

May said he went to UConn for civil engineering after serving 11 years in the Navy and three years in the National Guard.

"The nation I served paid for my education and I have a great inclination to give back to the community," he said.

May said the council has done "remarkable" things under a Democratic majority such as decreasing taxes for the past two years and maintaining services during the COVID-19 crisis.

Tom McNally, 45, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, is running for his third term on the council. He has spent the last 45 years in the landscaping and property management business. Chairman of the council from 2017 to 2019, McNally said the council was able to change a property tax policy that helped the town collect millions of dollars in overdue taxes.

McNally said he is running again to "keep things moving," claiming the Democratic majority has not done enough to bring more revenue and businesses to Montville.

Councilor Joe Jaskiewicz, 77, is running for his sixth term on the council and was mayor from 2003 to 2011.

"I enjoy working for the people," he said.

Having served on multiple town commissions, Republican Wills Pike, 63, is running for his second term on the council. Pike, retired from the Navy and an engineer, is running for the council and for the Board of Education, where he's currently filling a vacancy for the board. He's also a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Pike said he was encouraged by community members to run for the council, considering him a "reasonable guy."

Pike can only serve on one commission but said if he were to be elected to the council, he would want the town to prioritize capital funding for the schools again.

Running for reelection, longtime council member Billy Caron, 54, Democrat, is the owner of the Caron Properties, a real estate rentals business, and has worked for W. R. Allen Construction for 35 years.

"I pride myself in voicing concerns for citizens that are seldomly heard," said Caron, adding he pushes for the rights of senior citizens, veterans and people with disabilities.

Republican Colleen Rix, 39, is running for reelection after the coronavirus pandemic slowed the impact of her first term. She aims to continue being a "younger voice of reason" and bringing the perspective of a mother and business owner.

Running for a second term, Democrat Lenny Bunnell, 71, is a retired policeman who has served on several different commissions. He said he wants to continue efforts made by the current council such as helping volunteer fire services and reducing taxes.

Newcomer Kate Southard, 51, a Democrat, is a math instructor at West Vine Street Elementary School. She is currently the chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Southard said she is running because she loves the town she lives in and wants to create a more close-knit community.

Republican Robert Yuchniuk, 54, has been on the Public Safety Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, but this is his first time running for the council. Yuchniuk said he wants to see new businesses in town, and accountability within town departments.

Democrat Nick Sabilia, 30, is a tutor at Montville High School and a referee for college football. Having never served on a town commission before, he said he wants to be more involved and bring youthful energy and ideas.

Democrat Jeff Carver, 56, is a design specialist at Electric Boat and has resided in Montville for 30 years. He said he has a vision for Montville that includes new infrastructure, mill rates that match services provided and good opportunities to create sustainable jobs.

Incumbent Alfred J. Mandler, 61, a Republican, said he is a proponent of public safety and the aging population in the community. He is also running for Zoning Board of Appeals.

Most candidates are in agreement that the town should remove the resident state trooper program and transition into an independent police department.

Sabilia said it is worth discussing and researching, looking at towns like East Lyme and Ledyard who have made the shift in the last decade.

Yuchniuk said it comes down to the cost of hiring a chief and transitioning.

Jaskiewicz said if the town had an independent police department, the head of the department would still have to present a budget at town hall.

Most candidates also said they see an opportunity for more affordable housing and the town to capitalize on recreational marijuana.

"We don't want to miss out and have neighboring towns get tax money we could have," Southard said in regard to expanding the medical dispensary in town into a hybrid business that also sells recreational marijuana.

In an effort to engage with the community, both committees have arranged events this week. The Democratic committee held a meet and greet with candidates Tuesday at Oakdale Pizza and is holding another one from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Uncasville Diner. The Republican committee will do a Facebook Live on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. for residents to ask questions of candidates and the committee.

j.vazquez@theday.com