APPLETON, Maine — Residents will gather Tuesday for a special town meeting to determine whether the community should look to change its municipal government structure.
An article on the town meeting warrant would authorize the Select Board to research the possibility of hiring a full- or part-time town administrator. The board would then present its findings to residents at the regular June town meeting.
The town currently has a three-member Select Board.
“The times are changing,” board member Scott Wiley said, pointing out that the administration of municipal government is becoming increasingly complicated for the town of about 1,300 residents.
He said if voters agree to the study and ultimately approve an administrator, it would relieve the three board members of a lot of administrative duties. In addition, there would be someone at the town office with authorization to make administrative decisions and oversee the town office staff, Wiley said.
The board discussed whether to expand the panel to five members, but Wiley said that would not have addressed all the issues.
Select Board Chair Donald Burke said he is taking no position on the question and will do what voters support.
Last month, the board voted unanimously to approve a policy that town office employees can only contact the Maine Municipal Association for legal advice if it is about their own duties. Burke said apparently there had been calls made to the association that did not fall into that category.
The town meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Appleton Village School.