PERU — An ordinance that would prohibit a town employee from serving on the Board of Selectmen was approved at the town meeting, but no effective date was included. Therefore the Board will have to vote to enact it at a certain time.
The Maine Municipal Association has said that Selectman Kathy Hussey, who is also a town employee, should be allowed to serve out her term, but that’s not what the people want.
Neither the board chairman or vice chairman were present at Monday night’s meeting, so Selectman Richard Powell led the meeting. John Witherell said it was ridiculous that all of the board couldn’t be present for one meeting to get the ordinance date approved for enactment.
Powell said that he and Selectman Ed Ferland are ready to vote on a date, but want the full board present.
In other concerns, Valerie Gurney said she has a complaint about her taxes and has not received an adequate answer from the office. Powell suggested that she put her complaint about how she was treated in writing so it would be documented. Gurney said she would rather give it to a selectman than turn it in at the office.
Powell indicated that he wanted to clear up any misunderstandings, but issues should be documented.
Another resident questioned why the town is paying for insurance on the old school building when the Friends of the Peru School are supposed to be paying them. Town Clerk Vera Parent said they would probably pay, but she wasn’t sure when the group took over.
Witherell said the town voted not to spend a penny on the old school.
Tammy Moore questioned the signing of a renewal for a Tree Growth forest management plan when there was no clear understanding by the board on where the property was located.
Hussey said that foresters fill out the papers on Tree Growth and they know what’s going on.
Powell said that with the number of properties in Tree Growth that maybe in years past a plan was signed that wasn’t as it should have been, but he said the board is not corrupt in any way and that if things are wrong, they want to fix them.
Ferland agreed they need more information before signing papers.
There will be no meeting on July 16 because of special training for selectmen, but they will meet at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, to vote on the junkyard permit.
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