Meet the candidates: Salisbury

Voting day for 2023 municipal elections is Nov. 7. Salisbury’s polling station will be at Town Hall, 27 Main Street from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting tabulators will be used. Absentee ballots will be counted at the polls. Absentee ballots are available from the Town Clerk and can be placed in the box at Town Hall.

Salisbury’s Board of Selectmen is composed of a first selectman and two additional selectmen. The first selectman is the town’s chief elected official who administers town business on a day-to-day basis. The Board of Selectmen is responsible for superintending the town’s affairs subject to control of town meetings.

Selectmen in Salisbury  are elected to two-year terms. They are seated on the board two weeks after election day. The annual salary of the first selectman is $96,986.00, and the annual salary of each other selectman is $10,990.00.

Curtis Rand is running unopposed for first selectman. He will enter his 10th term in the role. The top two vote getters among the candidates for selectman will become selectmen through 2025 (subject to state law on minority representation).

Get to know the selectman candidates ahead of the 2023 municipal election. In Salisbury, there is one candidate for first selectman and three candidates for selectman vying for a seat on the town board. Below, each candidate offered information about themselves and their goals for the town.

Curtis Rand

Democratic Nominee for First Selectman

First Selectman in Salisbury and professional career in forestry with volunteer service to various civic and town organizations; my roots and early education were here and later education elsewhere. Married for 46 years with 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. Like to garden, kayak, fish, and play with friends and family.

Why do you want to be selectman?

To accept the honor to serve our town; to continue and finish the work we have begun; to work with various staff and volunteers on the topics below as our top priorities.

What are your top priorities?

Expansion of affordable housing to help young families and seniors; work with staff and commissions on land use planning for conservation, development, and economic opportunities; continue to create budgets that meet current and long-term needs; obtain grants to offset our state and federal tax dollars; assist our exemplary schools; improve water quality and save important conservation lands; more sidewalks, and support our fire and ambulance crews, teachers and other workers who help our town.

How would you improve the town?

Explore new ways to keep more local families able to live here by possible homestead assessments or more short-term recognition of affordable housing; more day care and after-school activities; engage our new and part-time residents who could use their skills to help the town; slow down traffic; keep the skies dark; save more prime farmland; ecological monitoring of new invasive plants in lakes due to warming climate and boating; more economic vitality in downtowns, and more composting.

Anything to add?

I am grateful and humbled for the trust given me to help lead the town, I appreciate the great contributions from our volunteers, fellow selectmen and capable staff, and I pledge to do my part to keep Salisbury’s strong and wonderful sense of place.

Christian Williams

Democratic Nominee for Selectman

Moved to Salisbury 1971, attended local school, went to High School in Maine. Joined USMC, Married local have been married for 39 years.  Raised 3 children who live locally and have one grandchild. Worked for CT DOT 35 years now retired.  Have held various elected and appointed positions presently serving on the Board of Selectman.

Why do you want to be selectman?

The reason I want to be a Selectman is Salisbury was a great place to grow up and it also is a special place to raise a family.  I have personally benefitted from both of these.  By being a Selectman, I have the opportunity to continue the open and welcoming attitude that has always been a trademark of the Town of Salisbury.  To carry on into the future with the giving of our past citizens and to welcome our future citizens with hope and a positive outlook going forward.

If elected, what are your top priorities?

Top priorities will be to support and execute the wishes of our citizens, supporting other elected boards and appointed committees.  Assist in crafting and implementing responsible budgets keeping our mill rate low, and our town services outstanding.  Continue to support affordable housing, protect our town through conservation of land and water courses.

How would you improve the town?

I would improve the town by opening the door wider by assisting in implementing our affordable housing plan, working closely with our land use boards helping to follow our Plan of Conservation and Development, as well as work with our land and water course conservationists to assure our town stays the beautiful place it always has been.  Strive to retain our youth and citizens by quality programs and services; having an open mind and positive attitude is one of the ways to achieve these goals.

Anything to add?

Having been an elected Selectman for the last six years, it’s a humbling honor to serve our community and to see first-hand how truly special the citizens of our community are.

Don Mayland

Republican Nominee for Selectman

Graduated from University of Vermont with BA in Economics in 1967. Served as officer in U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1970. Teacher of Economics at Hotchkiss School from 1973 to 2008. Served on Board of Directors of Litchfield Bancorp for 41 years, 26 years as Chairman of the Board. Served 24 years on the Salisbury Board of finance. Served 3 terms as a Salisbury Selectman. Serve as Chairman of Salisbury WPCA.

Why do you want to be selectman?

To continue working with current selectman to continue good government for the Town of Salisbury.

If elected, what are your top priorities?

Provide more affordable housing. Promote volunteer service to the town. Preserve the natural environment that makes Salisbury a very special place. 

How would you improve the town?

Attract more young families who value the special qualities of the town. 

Anything to add?

As we seek to improve housing opportunities etc., we need to be very conscious of preserving the qualities of this very special town.

Katherine Kiefer

Unaffiliated Candidate for Selectman

I was born here, both parents with deep roots in Salisbury. My name is Katherine, but I have always been called Kitty. I am and have been for years unaffiliated with any political party. I attended Salisbury Central, HVRHS (2 yrs), graduated from Bates College w/ a BA, then McGeorge School of Law w/ a JD. My law practice was tax, estate planning & administration, & residential real estate in NW Boston. Currently I work with Artgarage at HVRHS & serve on Salisbury Economic Development Committee.

Why do you want to be selectman?

I have been and want to be a Selectman again because I am familiar with the land, the people and the economic forces in our NW Corner. My concerns have always been the community — community building through consensus or, at minimum, revealing issues as a path to discussion & working toward solutions. We have passionate, informed residents who want to work in the political process of our Town, for our Town. I intend to help them. Public service is my goal.

If elected, what are your top priorities?

Priorities when elected include: fiber optic internet connectivity for all; safe walk-ways for all of us on Routes 41 and 44 near our Village Centers, as well as connecting Salisbury and Lakeville; affordable workforce housing for the whole region; safety and welcoming infrastructure for Appalachian Trail hikers — whether they are through hikers or day hikers AND cost-conscious management of our recycling & waste disposal systems. A key is informed, participatory planning for the next 20 years.

How would you improve the town?

We have many Committees and Commissions, some of which are duplicative in their missions and work. I would like to help with the efficiency of these groups so that (a) we can set goals as a community and (b) work without silos toward the goals. Flexibility is required, as is maintaining focus on the Principles involved, not the Personalities. Have a cup of tea or coffee with me. Let’s talk and work together.

Anything to add?

I have always caucused with other voters, & I welcome conversations with all people I’ve yet to meet; and want to hear from people I know also. The ballot is private. Please give me one of your votes. I look forward to serving. 

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