OXFORD – A resident is calling for the resignation of Town Manager Michael Huston, citing several mistakes Huston has made that have cost the town money.
In a letter read to selectmen at the start of Thursday’s meeting, Wilfrid “Adrien” Giroux of Coldwater Brook Road stated Huston cost the town $1,830 when 229 tax liens were improperly filed May 12, and had to be refiled, at $8 a page. Giroux said Huston, at the May 15 meeting, made only brief remarks to the board about the tax lien problems, and did not explain “the extent and consequences to the taxpayers” and made no mention of it in his minutes.
Giroux also cited a $780 cost the town incurred when the 2002 Municipal Valuation Return was not filed on time, and said the solid waste transfer station annual report was filed six months late.
Selectmen did not comment on the letter, but went into an unscheduled executive session to discuss a personnel matter after the meeting ended.
The Municipal Valuation Return, which includes the towns Homestead Exemption Claim, needed to be sent by Nov. 1, 2002, but was not signed until Dec. 5, Giroux said. Timely filing is needed, Giroux said, “in order to avoid reduction or loss of any entitlement under the Tree Growth Tax Law” for the 2002 tax year.
“The above, in my opinion, rises to the level of malfeasance, misconduct and possible dereliction of duties” and amounts to a breach of Huston’s contract, Giroux charged. “The citizens and taxpayers in Oxford are entitled to a town manager that will serve the best interest of the community and fulfill, at all times, his responsibilities,” he stated.
When Giroux finished, Selectman Chairman David Ivey asked Huston if he wanted to make a reply. Huston said “I did tell you we had made a mistake” on the filing of the tax liens at the May 12 meeting. Huston also said he wasn’t aware of the $780 cost for the late filing of the Municipal Valuation Return.
Huston said he would look into the possibility of having the money reimbursed by the state to the town, if Giroux is correct about the late charge.
“I’m pretty sure I told the board we were late” in filing the return, Huston said, adding, “We’re not the only town that was late.”
Giroux said the incidents constitute a breach of Huston’s contract, saying the contract specifically states that Huston will, at “all times, faithfully, industriously perform all duties that may be required of . . . him . . . all to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board of Selectmen.”
Giroux said the town will not recover the $1,830 that was lost when the 229 tax liens were filed “with actual misinformation that invalidated the liens.” Other costs were incurred in making the corrections and the cost of legal advice, Giroux said.
In other words, taxpayers are having to pay this amount because of “Mr. Huston’s failure to fulfill his responsibilities,” Giroux said.
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