SOUTH THOMASTON, Maine — The town has redacted the majority of the retirement letter submitted by a longtime employee, saying it disparages another worker.
The Select Board voted Tuesday to accept the retirement letter for Terri-Lynn Baines. Baines has served the town for much of the past 18 years, including serving as town administrator.
Baines will remain on the job until the end of the year in her current roles of code enforcement officer, tax collector, and Freedom of Access Act administrator.
The board debated at its Tuesday meeting whether to release the letter publicly. Board member Rachel Snow sought to read the letter but was warned by Chair John Spear and board member Jeffrey Northgraves that the letter was not a public document.
Snow said it seemed that the board was not being consistent in what it considers public records.
Northgraves said since the letter contained disparaging remarks about another employee and because some of the information may have come from an executive session, it was not a public record under state law.
The Midcoast Villager made a request for the letter.
A redacted version of the letter was received by the Villager on Thursday. The majority of the letter was redacted.
In her letter, Baines stated to the Select Board: “When you start dreading going to work, it is time to make a change. I have reached that point.
“I have always loved working for the Town in every role I have held and have always been,” the letter stated.
A lengthy section of the letter was then redacted.
Near the end of the letter, she stated: “I have always cared deeply about serving the Town and have done my best to fulfill my responsibilities professionally. It has been an hour to serve this community, and I remain grateful for the opportunity and the relationships I have built along the way.”
She said her decision came with a great deal of reflection and mixed emotions.
“After many meaningful years of service, I have decided that it is time for me to step down,” Baines said.
Spear said he considers the issue “water over the dam” and he would not recommend looking into the issues raised in Baines’ letter.
Also at the Tuesday board meeting, the board voted 3-2 against reappointing Pennie Alley as cemetery overseer. Spear and Northgraves voted to appoint her and board members Rachel Snow, Sue Snow and Annie Gray voted against the appointment.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.