Old Town residents elected two newcomers to the City Council on Tuesday.
Charlene Virgilio, who ran unopposed, received 369 votes, while Katrina Wynn received 263 votes compared with her opponent Russell Sossong IV’s 206 votes.
Virgilio was elected to a six-month term that was previously vacant. Wynn was elected to an 18-month term on the council.
This was the largest voter turnout for a June election since 2019, according to City Clerk Laura Engstrom.
All three candidates running for council spoke about Old Town’s rising taxes and bringing new solutions to the loss of the pulp mill.
Old Town is in the midst of finalizing its budget, which could raise property taxes more than six percent while cutting 13 positions across the city, including four firefighters.
Virgilio, 64, ran on a platform that focused on using her marketing and sales background to develop downtown Old Town through infrastructure improvements and affordable housing. Keeping taxes down by reexamining city contracts and rethinking the budget process are important for the city’s future, she said.
Virgilio previously held a position on the Penobscot Nation council for two terms.
Voters chose Wynn, 38, who said she wants to talk to community members to see how the council can address the city’s issues of rising taxes and the environmental and health issues created by the Juniper Ridge landfill. Wynn sees Old Town turning into a better community through “frictionless services” that the community is encouraged to use.
