Most of the 76 articles passed easily as written.
WEST PARIS – About 160 residents welcomed the town’s first manager, Donald Woodbury, during the annual meeting Saturday.
After Woodbury was introduced by Selectman Chairman Wade Rainey, voters authorized the selectmen to pay him $35,000.
Woodbury will assume his duties, which include town clerk, tax collector, treasurer, bookkeeper, registrar of voters and chief administrative officer, immediately. He will also assume the position of road commissioner after the 2006 town meeting when Bill Keach’s term expires.
William “Bill” Birney was elected selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor for three years with 97 votes. Sandra Poland received 59.
Greg Inman was re-elected director for the West Paris Water District for three years and Nick DiConzo was returned to the SAD 17 Board of Directors for three years.
Most of the 76 articles passed easily as written with the exception of one asking voters to approve an ordinance for recalling any elected official. That article was defeated 73-52 by secret ballot.
Selectman Jim Johnston said he thought the article was simply good government.
“A recall ordinance would be for keeping governmental power in the hands of the people. It is something the governor, legislators and judges are subject to, and I feel our elected officials should be as well,” said Dale Piirainen.
“I can’t think of anyone who would run for office knowing he might be plastered all over the paper,” said Selectman Chairman Wade Rainey. “We have had a lot of negative press lately, and I think it’s time we had some positives. I, for one, wouldn’t want to run for selectman knowing such an ordinance was in place.”
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