WOODLAND, Maine – A committee that wants stricter ethics rules for Woodland’s elected officials is proposing to expand the selectboard to keep town government functional.
In October, a citizen steering committee proposed an “operational procedural ordinance” that would have dictated how the selectboard should run public meetings and established a code of ethics to hold leaders accountable for their behavior. The proposal came after a turbulent period of conflicts among board members, which often canceled meetings, and town employee turnover. Residents were set to vote on the ordinance Nov. 19.
But despite initial support, the selectboard grew hesitant of the ordinance after getting legal advice from Maine Municipal Association, who they said did not recommend establishing rules that would supersede the selectboard’s authority.
Unlike town bylaws, which Maine Municipal Association recommends, an ordinance requires a special town meeting for residents to enact or change its rules. The selectboard would create and vote on any bylaws.
The steering committee had wanted town-approved ethics rules to better hold elected leaders accountable. For now, they have decided to go with the selectboard’s wishes but remain vigilant in holding them accountable, said committee member Lisa Milliard.
“It’s up to us as townspeople to stand up when someone isn’t abiding by [the rules],” Milliard said. “If you’re elected to office, you should already have morals and ethics and have no problem standing by them.”
The steering committee and selectboard have agreed to pursue a special town meeting so residents can vote on whether to add two more members to the selectboard. The board currently has three.
Town bylaws, which Woodland has never had, could come later, said committee member Ted St. Pierre, but growing the board is important for keeping the town functional.
Currently, if two of the three board members are absent, the board cannot hold a meeting, but they could with three out of five members, St. Pierre said.
The selectboard agreed Tuesday to send a copy of the proposed warrant article for a special town meeting to Maine Municipal Association before scheduling a date to vote on the proposed five-member board.
St. Pierre told the board that he and committee members would like to post the warrant article Wednesday in order to meet legal posting requirements to hold a Dec. 17 meeting. But that would only happen if Maine Municipal Association gives its approval in time, said board chairperson Matt Cole.
“We want to make sure it’s correct,” Cole said about the warrant article.
If the town cannot meet on Dec. 17, the steering committee still plans to try scheduling another date, St. Pierre said.
In other business, the selectboard voted unanimously to hire two new town employees after a half-hour executive session Tuesday.
Karen Thornton will replace town clerk Carla Thibodeau, who resigned last month, leaving the town with only one office employee. Thornton has experience as a municipal auditor and as manager for Beauregard Equipment, Cole said.
John Conley will join Road Commissioner Paul Pelletier and employees Paul Coy and Walker Clark in Public Works. Conley has experience as a CDL-licensed truck driver, Cole said.
Cole did not disclose the new employees’ salaries but said that they would likely begin work Wednesday.
