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Blethen Maine News Service Sunday, March 11, 2007

Voters decided Saturday, 26-14, that the town clerk's job should be an appointive position, not an elective one, which it has been for years.

Spending articles approved by voters Saturday for the municipal budget total about $977,300, up from last year's $927,000.

Only one spending article was increased from the Budget Committee's recommendation -- that of Highway Department workers' wages, which increased from the proposed $11.50 per hour to $12 per hour.

Final budget numbers will be set once the costs for a multi-year contract for snow plowing and the fire and rescue contract with Fairfield are complete.

In voting on Friday, incumbent Selectman Richard Lawrence was returned to office, edging former Planning Board member Herbert Thompson, 99-70. Unopposed winning candidates included Kenneth Dudley for road commissioner, Daniel Chamberlain for school board, Julie Morrison for town clerk and David Gagnon for tax collector, excise tax collector and treasurer.

Of the town clerk's job, Lawrence noted "malfeasance" by town clerks in several central Maine towns in recent years.

Lawrence said there has not been a problem, but insisted the town clerk's job is a greater challenge now than in the past.