LIVERMORE FALLS – Selectmen became embroiled in a conversation about conflicts of interest Tuesday when former selectmen Clayton Putnam raised the issue.

Putnam questioned whether all five selectmen should be involved in negotiations with employees since one has a brother on the highway crew and another is the husband of the town clerk/treasurer.

“How can the board say it has no vested interest when there are relationships?” he asked. “The basis is there for bias and lack of objectivity.”

Selectmen responded forcefully: Selectman Chairman Bernal Lake said he had no interest in his brother Rodney’s wages, and Russell Flagg explained that his wife, Kristal, is an elected official. “I have every confidence in any decision I’ve made,” he told Putnam.

Past Chairman Bill Demaray reminded Putnam that they were only two of five. “Taxpayers have to have faith in the board. There are no special interests and no hidden agendas on the board. Any vote is taken in public.”

Putnam maintained the two should step back from negotiations, in accordance with Maine law, but Lake told him the Maine Municipal Association says the only problem in his case would be if the worker were his spouse.

“You can run for my spot, I’m trying my best,” Lake retorted. “If you want me to walk out, I will, right now,” he threatened.

Cooler heads prevailed and the board approved a joint meeting with Livermore and the SAD 36 Board at 6:30 p.m. May 6, purchasing two new tires for the loader at the landfill, increasing the code officer’s hours to 14 per week, Fran Szostek’s appointment to the Planning Board and a cost of living raise for the manager.

In other business, citizens and officials asked about two proposed ordinances before selectmen sent the proposals back to the Planning Board for minor revisions.

The proposed Building Notification Ordinance drew the most comment. One former Planning Board member said it wasn’t needed while current officials argued that times have changed so much that such a notification process was needed.

“We need it to keep track of what’s going on in town, to be sure each resident pays his fair share,” said Lake.

“This will encourage people to be more honest,” added Planning Board Chairman Guy Palmieri.

The other ordinance, to regulate pawnshops, would allow the town to license them rather than to have the state do it. Since the local police department is the one that will oversee transactions, citizens felt the shops should also be locally licensed.

“The state encourages us to have our own ordinance,” said Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr.

The board did the annual review of its Comprehensive Plan, finding progress being made toward reaching the goals listed in 2002.

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