CHESTERVILLE — Selectmen announced Thursday evening that they have received complaints about Election Day procedures and were notified two new selectmen may not have been legally sworn into office.
Selectmen David Archer and Anne Lambert resigned their positions in September and a notice of an election to fill their seats was posted at the Town Hall and published in a newspaper.
Steve Welch and Tiffany Estabrook filed nomination papers for Archer’s seat, but no one turned in papers for Lambert’s seat for the special election on Nov. 8.
Town Clerk Heather Wheeler said that Maitland Lord and Tyler Jenness indicated a willingness to serve if elected by write-in votes. That information was posted in voting booths on Election Day.
Late that afternoon, a voter questioned the posting, saying those who voted by absentee ballot did not have access to the information.
Town officials checked with state officials and removed the notices.
On Nov. 10, immediately before the regular selectmen’s meeting, town meeting moderator Jim Grippe administered the oath of office to Estabrook and Jenness. Some questioned his legal authority to do so.
At Thursday night’s meeting, Lambert referred to the Maine Moderator’s Manual on who could administer the oath and when, indicating Grippe would not be eligible to do so.
Former Selectman Scott Gray said the manual states that when there are more than seven days between an election and the swearing in of officials, a constable must hand-deliver a letter from the town clerk stating the elected officials need to be sworn in. Lambert later pointed out where the information could be found in the manual.
“From what’s been presented tonight, there’s the potential for anything I’ve signed not to be legal,” Estabrook said Thursday night.
Board Chairman Guy Iverson was charged by fellow selectmen to consult with town attorney Frank Underkuffler on the two issues.
pharnden@sunmediagroup.net
Send questions/comments to the editors.
