PERU — Selectmen deadlocked again Monday night on the controversial issue of Selectman Kathy Hussey continuing to serve as board secretary, according to Chairman Tim Holland and Selectman Ed Ferland on Tuesday afternoon.
In June, town meeting voters approved an ordinance that changed the secretary’s position from appointed to elected. However, an effective date for the law or the word “retroactive” wasn’t included.
The issue is connected to a second ordinance passed in June that bars town employees, such as the board secretary, from serving as selectmen or Finance Committee members.
Since it’s not certain when the change becomes effective, Hussey is continuing as a selectman.
The Maine Municipal Association has advised selectmen Holland, Ferland, Hussey, Richard Powell and Vice Chairman Laurieanne Milligan that Hussey should be allowed to serve out her term, which ends in 2014. The MMA also told the board to seek a legal opinion on the matter.
The board attempted to vote at its meeting on July 30 to seek a legal opinion, but the motion failed due to a 2-2 tie. Holland and Milligan voted to seek a legal opinion; Ferland and Powell voted against it.
Hussey abstained from voting.
While trying to resolve the matter at Monday night’s meeting, a motion was made to have Hussey decide which position she wanted to keep, Ferland said.
But Hussey abstained again and the board deadlocked on the matter, 2-2 with Ferland and Powell voting for it and Holland and Milligan voting against it.
“We’re a split board,” Ferland said and Holland agreed.
Ferland said he doesn’t want to see the issue end up in court, which could be costly.
However, he said the impasse likely won’t get resolved until another petition is brought before selectmen that seeks to amend the ordinance by adding an effective date. He said it would have to be done in time to make it on the November ballot.
Hussey declined to comment.
In other business, Holland said that as chairman, he established rules to govern board meetings “so they’re not as chaotic and they’re a lot more respectful.”
However, Ferland said Holland doesn’t have the authority to make rules; just townspeople. Ferland also said Holland didn’t get the full board’s approval.
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