AUBURN — Following a lengthy discussion, the Androscoggin County Commission adopted its bylaws Wednesday evening.
The document, prepared by county attorney Bryan Dench, describes how the commissioners will conduct their meetings.
The completed bylaws are the first step toward the commissioners hiring a county administrator.
After calling a recess at the end of their business meeting, commissioners began a workshop to write a job description for the new administrator. That workshop went well into the evening Wednesday, with commissioners hoping to complete the task before adjourning for the night.
Commissioners spent most of the meeting finalizing the 14-page bylaws. A few of the commissioners suggested changes to clarify some of the language.
Commissioner Elaine Makas raised more than two dozen concerns about the bylaws, wondering if some of the wording ought to be rewritten or deleted to clarify the document and avoid possible redundancies.
The board agreed with some of her suggestions, but the document was left largely intact.
Makas also raised three instances where she felt the bylaws did not contain the required procedures that the charter says should be listed in the document.
After Dench agreed to make some changes based on the suggestions, Commissioner Sally Christner moved that the bylaws be adopted “subject to the changes agreed upon.” With only Commissioner Randall Greenwood — who is also a state representative — missing because of the Legislature’s late work in Augusta, the board voted 6-0 to accept the bylaws.
In other business, commissioners formally appointed acting Register of Deeds Tina Chouinard to the position.
Chouinard has served as the register of deeds for 12½ years. Formerly an elected position, it was changed by the County Charter to one appointed by the commissioners.
When her elected term ended earlier this year, Chouinard remained as acting register until her appointment.
The county treasurer, also switching from elected to appointed, had its new job description approved Wednesday. Commissioners changed its title to finance director/treasurer. Commissioners also voted to post the position.
The current treasurer is Robert Poulin.
The board also voted to continue providing law enforcement services to Poland.
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