HERMON, Maine — Residents will decide if they want to buy a new firetruck and make a series of amendments to their town charter in local referendum votes on Nov. 4.
Proposed is the purchase of a tanker-pumper truck for the town’s Fire Department, according to a sample ballot provided by Town Clerk Ruth Nickerson.
Also going before voters are six proposed charter amendments.
The first one seeks to add a provision that would direct the Town Council to appoint an interim if the town manager were to become permanently disabled and unable to perform his or her regular duties or die.
The next would require the town manager to administer the town’s personnel system and limit those duties to town employees, excluding school employees.
A third change would clarify the composition of the town’s Board of Assessment Review and authorize the council to expand the review board’s jurisdiction to include appeals arising from all town ordinances.
In an election-related question, voters will be asked to amend the charter so that recounts will be conducted in accordance with the charter and state law, to clarify the manner in which candidates’ names appear on ballots and specify that write-in candidates file a declaration of intent with the town at least seven days before elections.
The fifth proposed amendment would clarify that the town clerk swear in elected officials and apply rules on prohibited activities not only the elected officials but also to candidates, staff and board and committee members.
The last proposed amendment would delete an article that no longer serves a useful purpose.