UNION, Maine — A recount will be held next week to determine whether the town retains an elected treasurer.
On Nov. 6, residents voted 669 to 665 to reject a referendum put on the ballot by selectmen to change the treasurer’s position from elected to one appointed by them.
Town Manager Jay Feyler said Tuesday that a petition signed by 118 registered Union voters was submitted to the town on Nov. 14 asking for the recount. A recount of a local referendum is held only if at least 100 residents sign a petition.
The recount, which will take place at 1 p.m. Nov. 30 at the town office, will be open to public view, the town manager said.
The treasurer’s post has been held for 25 years by Linda McAllister. Re-elected to another one-year term during municipal elections in June, her term continues through June 2013.
McAllister’s salary is $37,822 for the current budget year, as approved by voters in June. Selectmen who supported the change said that a recent audit had revealed significant deficiencies that included co-mingling general fund accounts with special fund accounts and failure to reconcile the general ledger.
Selectwoman Sara Moore, who voted against holding a referendum, said last month that the issue boiled down to a personality conflict. She also said she did not support taking away more authority from the public and handing it to other town officials.