We asked them a few questions.
Apr 14, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Elise N. Frank.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—We asked the Southwest Harbor Select Board candidates for bios, photos, any social media links, and to answer our questions. The responses are below.
There are two seats up for grabs on Southwest Harbor’s seven-member board.
In that race, Carolyn Ball chose not to run for reelection for her three-year seat. Vice Chair Chapin McFarland is up for re-election. There are four running for those two seats.
McFarland is joined in the race by Thomas W Benson, Kalie Hess, and Melanie Lisy.
The Pemetic School Committee’s two incumbents—Clifford Noyes and Maria Spallano—are running unopposed for their three-year seats.
There is no candidate for the one seat on the MDI High School Board of Trustees.
We asked all the select board candidates the same questions and did not cater the questions to them specifically.
The election will be May 5 at the Southwest Harbor Fire Station on 250 Main Street in Southwest Harbor. Polling hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The following offices will be elected by the voters at the May 5 election.
All our election coverage will be on this website under a dedicated tab.
TOM BENSON
BACKGROUND
Occupation: Land Surveyor
Family you’d like to mention: Have been married to Robin for 38 years and have a grown son, daughter, and a grandson.
Previous public office positions or appointments: Two terms on the Southwest Harbor Select Board.
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you hoping to be on the Southwest Harbor Select Board?
I would like to help move the town forward. I have run businesses most of my adult life and can use these skills at the town level. I also have a good insight for the infrastructure projects being involved in land development. That experience would be useful to keep the momentum going for the long list of town projects.
What do you see as the top issues facing Southwest Harbor and how would your presence on the board help with those issues?
Taxes, I would like to look for solutions to slow the increases. Another issue is businesses in the town. We want affordable housing but with no jobs it does not draw people here.
How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards/ committees and those who are?
Get people involved and get their input into issues.
Can you speak to tax increases in town and how those with fixed incomes can handle them?
With fixed incomes relief would have to come at an expense to others. Our tax base should be going up but our tax increases are going up at a higher rate. We need to look at ways to streamline town services and lower the town and school budgets.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself?
I am running with no personal agenda. I would like to help move the town forward with ideas to keep this a year round community that is affordable.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of? What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
I am proud of my family growing up here and becoming part of the community. Being self employed and helping people in the area with their plans.
KALIE HESS
Campaign website link (if any) or a way for people to learn more about you/get in touch with you.
https://sites.google.com/view/kalie-for-sb/home and they can email me at kalieforsb@gmail.com and my facebook page that I share with Mel is: https://www.facebook.com/KalieandMelforSWHselectboard/
Occupation: Associate Director of the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine.
Family you’d like to mention: Partner: Wayne Emington, and twin 4-year-old daughters Josie and Eloise.
Previous public office positions or appointments: I started up a bicycle/pedestrian committee when I lived in Augusta, and I have been on the sustainability committee in Southwest Harbor for a few months.
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you hoping to be on the Southwest Harbor Select Board?
I’m running because I care deeply about this community and want to be part of the work of helping it thrive. Living here and raising my kids here has made me feel really invested in Southwest Harbor, and I want to contribute in a meaningful way. I also believe local government works best when people are willing to step up, listen, and work together to solve problems.
What do you think you can bring to the board?
I bring a thoughtful and collaborative approach, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives. In my professional work, I’ve focused on long-term problem-solving and working through complex issues, and I think that mindset is helpful in local government. I also care a lot about making sure people feel heard and that decisions are made transparently and with the community in mind.
What do you see as the top issues facing Southwest Harbor and how would your presence on the board help with those issues?
Like many coastal towns, Southwest Harbor is balancing a number of challenges, including housing availability, maintaining a strong year-round community, and preparing for environmental changes and severe weather.
I think my role on the board would be to help approach these issues thoughtfully and collaboratively: making sure we’re listening to residents, planning for the long term, and making decisions that support both the current community and future generations.
How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards/committees and those who are?
Trust starts with communication and transparency. I think it’s important that people feel like they understand what decisions are being made and why, and that they have opportunities to be heard.
I would approach this by being accessible, listening to residents’ concerns, and supporting clear communication from the board.
Can you speak to tax increases in town and how those with fixed incomes can handle them?
This is an important concern, especially for residents on fixed incomes. I think it’s critical that the board is mindful of the impact of tax decisions and looks for ways to balance maintaining services and investing in good, long-term solutions for the challenges facing our town while keeping costs manageable.
This means engaging in thoughtful budgeting, identifying priorities for spending, and making sure we’re planning ahead to avoid unnecessary increases where possible. It’s also important to understand how these decisions affect different residents and to keep that in mind when making choices.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself?
I’m someone who wants to listen, learn, and contribute thoughtfully. I’m interested in working with others and helping the town navigate challenges in a practical and collaborative way.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of? What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
Personally, I’m most proud of building a life that reflects my values, including having a job that is meaningful and choosing to live and raise my kids in a place where community and connection matter.
In the community, I’ve become more involved over time and have tried to contribute where I can, specifically on environmental issues mainly. I’m proud of the work that my neighbors and I have done to try to make sure Southwest Harbor is a safe place for people to live by raising awareness of ongoing issues regarding the landfill and transfer station. I think being present, paying attention, and caring about what’s happening locally are important first steps in contributing to a community.
Is there anything else you would have liked for me to ask and I didn’t? If so, feel free to speak to that!
What about this? Where do you see Southwest Harbor in 20 years, or what would you like it to look like?
I’d like to see Southwest Harbor continue to be a strong, year-round community where people can build their lives. That means making progress on things like housing so people who work here can also live here, supporting small businesses so they can stay open year-round, and making sure we have good jobs that keep people in the community.
I’d also like to see us continue to take care of the things that make this place special, including supporting our schools, maintaining a walkable and connected town, and being thoughtful about environmental issues, including how we handle things like the landfill.
Just as importantly, I’d hope we continue to support the community spaces and organizations that bring people together, from farmers markets to local nonprofits, because those are a big part of what makes Southwest Harbor feel like home.
MELANIE LISY
BACKGROUND
Occupation: Hairstylist/salon owner Studio 296.
Family you’d like to mention: Kate and Eric Henry are my in laws.
Previous public office positions or appointments: Filled a vacant seat to finish out a term on the Warrant Committee 2023/2024.
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you hoping to be on the Southwest Harbor Select Board?
I have a strong connection to the community because of my job as a hairstylist. I have a good understanding of our local economy as a small business owner and I hope to bring a fresh perspective with my experience.
What do you think you can bring to the board?
I have good people skills due to my profession as well as good listening skills. I’m able to problem solve efficiently and effectively and I think these traits will translate well to service on the select board.
What do you see as the top issues facing Southwest Harbor and how would your presence on the board help with those issues?
The top issue that our community faces, as heard from my chair, is overall affordability. To live here, work here, and raise our children here. Hearing the ideas from community members first hand will allow me to bring them to the forefront in real time. We can address these issues and concerns head on. I can help be a voice for people who don’t have time or ability to do so.
How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards/committees and those who are?
I’m a great listener and I will continue to be as I move onto the select board. I want to have our town government continue to feel accessible and friendly. The select board has been great with transparency and I want to continue to support that type of governance.
Can you speak to tax increases in town and how those with fixed incomes can handle them?
I hear all the time how tough rising taxes are, especially for people on fixed incomes. I’d be really mindful of that when looking at the budget; asking questions, cutting what we can, and focusing on what actually matters. And I’d make sure people know about any relief programs out there, because no one should feel like they can’t afford to stay in their own town.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself?
My husband, Beau, was born and raised here. We met in Cleveland, Ohio and moved here in 2010 to raise our two kids. Him and his family have been very active in the community in art, music, and in past government.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of? What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
I started and finished a degree in psychology in my 40s; this has expanded my critical thinking skills and has made me more aware of my surroundings.
Starting to volunteer for my community has been the most rewarding.
CHAPIN McFARLAND
Ways to reach him: Any questions can be directed to cmcfarland@southwestharbor.org
Occupation: Full-Time fire captain for the Town of Mount Desert Fire Department
Family you’d like to mention: I would like to mention my wife, who is very loving and supportive and is always pushing me and supporting every adventure I take on.
Previous public office positions or appointments: I am finishing up a three-year term on the Select Board.
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you hoping to be on the Southwest Harbor Select Board?
When I first ran for the Select Board, it was because I noticed several important town topics seemed stalled and at times personal agendas were getting in the way of productive discussions. My goal was to come in with an open mind on town issues, help move projects forward, and focus on decisions that benefit the community as a whole. During my first term, I have tried to stay focused on those goals. I have worked to keep town government as transparent as possible, support partnerships when opportunities come up, and do my best to help build the strongest community possible with the resources we have. I believe I have stayed true to the goals I set when I first ran, and if elected to another term I look forward to continuing that work.
What do you think you can bring to the board?
I believe I bring a good background in public safety to the board and that helps me ask questions or look at things from a side other board members might not always think of. I also bring the perspective of someone who grew up on the island and knows how hard it can be to find housing and stay here.
What do you see as the top issues facing Southwest Harbor and how would your presence on the board help with those issues?
Currently, some of the big issues are that parts of our ordinances are outdated and need to be brought up to date so they are current and enforceable. With the new town garage project being approved, along with the shoreline projects, the board and town will need to work through those and make them go as smoothly as possible. Housing and being able to keep residents in town full time are also issues that need to be addressed and are very important to me.
How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards or committees and those who are?
I believe being as transparent as you can is key to building trust between officials and townspeople. Yes, some things need to stay confidential up to a certain point, but I have seen situations where information was kept confidential that should not have been, and it ended up becoming a bigger issue in the end.
Can you speak to tax increases in town and how those with fixed incomes can handle them?
As our town grows, it requires more services. Unfortunately, those services need to be funded, and that comes from taxes. Over the past three years, I have brought up different opportunities the town could look into when it comes to collaboration between municipalities or departments. We already work with the Town of Tremont through the police and dispatch sharing agreement, so why can’t we keep looking at other ways to work together and cut down on redundancies? I have also brought up whether there are ways the fire department and the ambulance service could work together more to help with staffing and funding issues. To circle back to the question, increases are going to happen, but it is our job on the board to limit those increases while still making the best decisions for the residents of the town.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself?
I have an open mind when it comes to discussions. I may not know all the issues going on, but I will listen and try to find a solution if issues are brought to me.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of?
I am someone who always seems to need to learn something new or better the skills I already have. Whether it benefits me, my job, or my community, I seek out those opportunities because I do not think you should ever stop learning.
What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
I am most proud of the work I have done as a volunteer on the Southwest Harbor Fire Department. Before moving to Southwest Harbor, I lived in Somesville, but I still volunteered my time on the department because of the time I spent in town, how close I lived, and the environment of the department as a whole. I may do this as a full-time career in a neighboring town, but I started as a volunteer and that is still a big part of why I do the job.
Useful Links
- 2026 Municipal Election Absentee Ballot Application
- Ongoing Absentee Ballot Status Application
- Register to vote HERE online
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