By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WASHBURN — Keith Brown, who ran unopposed for Town Council, was re-elected by voters on March 18 and was sworn in during the council meeting following the March 19 annual town meeting at Washburn District High School. Brown was then selected by fellow councilors to serve as chair for another year. He will also be the individual designated to sign off on or initial the journal entries for the town, as suggested by the auditor.
Brown was one of several individuals voters chose to fill openings. Tammy Easler, who ran for re-election, and newcomer Ryan Rackliffe won the two openings on the SAD 45 school board, defeating incumbent Carl Saucier. Steve Davis, who was unopposed for his seat as trustee with the Washburn Water and Sewer District, was also re-elected.
Following the town meeting, councilors held their regular session, where they discussed the ongoing problem of finding interested individuals to fill spots on various boards. Town Manager Bev Turner noted there appears to be more people interested in elected positions than there are for appointments.
Councilors made the following decisions during the meeting:
• Appoint Adam Doody as code enforcement officer and local plumbing inspector;
• Appoint Town Council members as the Board of Overseers of the Poor and as assessors for the town;
• Fred Flewelling, whose term had expired, was unanimously appointed by councilors to be a Planning Board member;
• Councilors Daren Churchill and Brown will serve as representatives on the Revolving Loan Committee for the coming year;
• Appointed Warrena Forbes and Gary Cole to positions on the Library Board of Trustees;
• Authorized Councilor Mike Umphrey to continue signing checks with respect to the town’s checking accounts;
• Named Councilor Kermit Fuller as vice chairman of the council;
• Councilor Fred Thomas was selected as council secretary;
• Churchill and Fuller were authorized to sign the weekly warrants;
• Appointed Turner to serve as town treasurer, tax collector, town clerk, road commissioner, general assistance director, excise tax collector and president of the Washburn Riverside Cemetery Association;
• Appointed Lisa Mette to fill the offices of deputy treasurer, deputy tax collector, deputy clerk, deputy general assistance director, excise tax collector and treasurer of the cemetery association;
• Appointed Roy Guidry Jr. as police chief;
• Reappointed Troy Heald to serve as fire chief; and
• appointed Nathan Allen as assistant fire chief.
Several seats are currently open on the town’s Zoning Board, but no interest has been expressed. Turner said it’s been difficult filling vacancies, with many seats remaining empty from year to year.
“There’s been discussion about combining boards in The County. There’s been talk of putting code enforcement officers together to create a County Zoning Board, for example. But that’s just in the talking stages,” said Turner. “Smaller communities have an ongoing problem of finding enough people to fill the vacancies. Going to a county-wide board might be the answer.”
Brown suggested contacting Saucier about available seats.
“We could ask Carl Saucier if he’s interested. He was interested in running for the School Board, so he might be interested there,” said Brown.
Turner said there was also a position open on the Revolving Loan Fund, with discussion on that continued to Council’s next meeting.
Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 8, at the Civic Center. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, call the Town Office at 455-8485.
