There are two open Camden Select Board seats up for election June 9 at annual Town Meeting. The four candidates seeking election to the two three-year terms are Bobbi Oxton Blake, Christopher Nolan (incumbent), Geoff Scott and Sara (Levy) Skrivanich.

Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their positions on issues. Here, candidate Sara Skrivanich responds:

Please provide a brief biography of yourself and explain why you decided to seek a seat on the Select Board.

When we moved to Camden 13 years ago, we weren't just looking for a home; we were looking for a town in which to raise our two daughters, establish solid roots, a community to participate in and to find a sense of belonging.

We have found in our time here that Camden is where we are meant to be and where we will remain. Our family is thriving. My husband is now a full-time Camden firefighter/EMT and my interest in learning about the history, people, processes and interdependencies that shape Camden have drawn me to local government. 

As I have lived and worked here, I have found myself wondering….

• How are municipal services established?  
• How do departments work and collaborate with one another?  
• How do residents make their voices heard and access local resources?  
• What are the governing principles and guidelines that support our town, especially through times of conflict?

While many in town know me as Sara Skrivanich, professionally I use my maiden name, Sara Levy. I share this for clarity, as you may see both names associated with my experience. I have built my career in the life sciences and healthcare technology sector where I specialize in building data and quality management systems that must withstand rigorous regulatory scrutiny.  Locally, I am proud to have led a strategic initiative to launch the expansion of a Federally Qualified Health Center in Midcoast Maine as our community continues to be in need local, affordable and accessible healthcare.

So why am I running? My work has always been defined and driven by quality, accountability, integrity and the ability to remain independent.  I believe that our ability to find common ground — even when we disagree — is essential for effective governance. We must be able to ask difficult questions without being labeled as detractors. Collaboration, effective listening, and distilling complex information are the hallmarks of how I approach both my personal and professional life — and what I hope to bring to the table, should I be elected to the Select Board.

What experience do you believe most prepares you for serving on the Select Board?

I feel well positioned to serve on the Select Board because of the years I have spent learning about, serving and chairing the Budget Committee.This has helped me develop a good foundation and deeper understanding about Camden’s infrastructure, financial priorities and practices.My time as Chair has shown me that while respectful collaboration moves the town forward, poor communication and inadequate outreach are the primary roadblocks to meaningful change.  A perceived lack of transparency leads to mounting distrust and detracts from what we are elected to do, to serve all Camden residents.

What are the three most pressing issues facing Camden today, and how would you like to see them resolved? 

1) Rising municipal costs; 2) a lack of available and affordable housing; and 3) aging infrastructure being challenged by environmental impacts all should be at the epicenter of conversation.  

However, going into this election cycle: 1) stabilizing the Police Department after a loss of leadership; 2) to pay or not to pay for parking; and 3) a growing sense of disconnect, fueled by concerns that the Select Board and Town Office are unresponsive to the diverse interests of Camden taxpayers, are what I will speak to.

Maintaining a Camden police presence, with dedicated officers, is important and I am pleased to hear that a search for a new chief is underway.  My hope is that included in this transition will be a holistic review of all local/county public safety policing services to bring together all of the great resources we have available to us.   

While we cannot go back in time and re-do the rollout of the paid parking pilot, the Select Board has worked together to bring forth what I hope to be a better starting place.  Resident stickers, modified parking maps and guidelines seem to have addressed some of the greater concerns and now we need to give this program a chance so there is an opportunity to evaluate both the community impact and revenue potential.  

If it does not prove to have enough upside, then pivot.  

As for the growing sense of distrust, I can only speak from personal experience on the Budget Committee.  Our ability to function as a committee has been in part because of the support of the Town Office.  We have maintained our autonomy; functioned independently; and there has been a willingness to change.  That said, if elected to the Select Board, I will dive much deeper into how the business of our town is handled so that areas of concern can be addressed.

Do you have a vision for Camden’s future? 

I am a mother of two daughters and a daughter of aging parents.  I understand the very real challenges we face trying to navigate the systems, services and available resources, especially in times of distress.  I have heard so many examples of families who feel overwhelmed, isolated and left to do all their own research and outreach to find the help they need.

I would like to work to build a stronger community hub that can serve to identify, centralize, curate, inform and help connect residents with locally available resources, people and services as they actively seek out health, wellness, education, transportation, long term care needs and community support.   

The Maine Municipal Association lists best practices for newly elected officers. Do you have any additional thoughts on what defines a highly functioning Select Board and how you will foster that?

The best practice for newly elected officers details the foundation for what elected officials should consider.While helpful, I am interested in learning about how Camden onboards their Select Board, including what training is made available and what guiding principles are established for how our Board should function.  

Are there clear expectations and well-established boundaries related to confidentiality including what can and cannot be freely shared? 

I recognize that serving on a board of a municipality is different than serving in the private sector and that our responsibility is to represent the people of Camden.  How we conduct ourselves matters.  

Do you advocate for collaborating with other municipalities to share costs and expertise? If so, how?

To support the ongoing and evolving service needs and to help manage the rising costs for our community, we have a responsibility to engage in active and ongoing conversations with other municipalities.  Our ability to thoughtfully engage with, explore and collaborate with our neighbors means not only the opportunity to share costs and expertise, but it also demonstrates our ability and desire to bridge communication gaps and share best practices. 

Even if it is determined that collaborating at a given time is not advantageous, the willingness and commitment to continue to engage is essential.  

Is Camden doing enough to encourage housing capacity for all income levels?

While I have seen new and remodeled housing emerge in surrounding towns, I have not seen this same momentum happening in Camden despite the ongoing need for additional housing at all income levels.  Camden’s ability to hire and retain municipal service providers who reside locally relies on affordable housing availability.  

Should Camden pursue integrating its police and fire departments into a municipal Public Safety Department? (e.g.: municipal police and fire departments, and EMS, are consolidated into a singular public safety department for personnel efficiencies and cost considerations)

It would be premature to answer the question if Camden should pursue integrating its police and fire departments into a municipal Public Safety Department.  To make that determination, we would first need to bring together qualified subject matter experts that not only have the knowledge and insight to help in that assessment and engage in a thoughtful, non-divisive manner.   

In discussions about key issues, it is not uncommon to hear a wish for how the town used to be. Is there a component of “old Camden” that you think should and could be brought back, or have more of? 

Our town is made up of kind, smart, resilient and VERY resourceful people. When I imagine what an ‘old Camden’ was like, I imagine a place where people looked out for each other, regardless of their political beliefs; where folks had a genuine curiosity to learn about their neighbors.  Where they showed each other a little bit more grace and recognized that everyone makes mistakes.  Every day our first responders (Police/Fire/EMS) show up ready to put themselves on the line for somebody in need.  I think we all (me included) might benefit from showing up and demonstrating that same kindness, care, and compassion for each other.

Does Camden have enough public waterfront access (lake and ocean)?

Access to the water, albeit river, lake or ocean, are pivotal to how we get to experience our town. While I certainly have my go-to spots, not all of which are in Camden, I would want to hear from others to understand what they define as ’enough’.  The fact that this question is being asked makes me think there is more for me to understand.  

Do you have preference for a committee(s) to which you’d like to serve as Select Board liaison?

I would like to remain connected with the Budget Committee and continue to support their ongoing efforts and momentum including the FY27 recommendations that will be submitted to the Select Board for consideration.  Currently all Select Board members are not only welcome but encouraged to attend.   

Regarding additional assignments, while I am happy to serve wherever needed, I am particularly interested in joining a committee outside my current areas of expertise. I believe stepping into a less familiar domain will allow me to broaden my understanding of our town’s operations while offering a fresh perspective to the group.

Where is your favorite place in Camden?

Years before I called Camden home, I experienced a moment of beauty that remained imprinted in my mind. Driving along Route 52, past the Beveridge farm and over the crest of the hill, I caught my first glimpse of Maiden’s Cliff and Megunticook Lake. I didn't know then that this would become my most-traveled route, but even now, that view (especially when it is freshly dusted with snow) hasn't lost its power.

Every time those cliffs come into view, I am reminded to pause and appreciate the incredible beauty we are lucky enough to share in this town.