HARTFORD – The Hartford Board of Selectmen met without giving proper public notice when it appointed Zoe Cowett as interim town clerk on Nov. 12.

Chairman Scott Swain said he didn’t know the board was required by Maine’s Freedom of Access law to inform the press when an emergency meeting is held.

According to Maine’s Freedom of Access law, “In the event of an emergency meeting, local representatives of the media shall be notified of the meeting.” Whenever practical, the law continues, media should be informed of the meeting time and location as quickly as the members of the agency preparing to meet.

Swain said the meeting was called in response to the Nov. 9 resignation of Town Clerk Monica Mailly. Selectman Lee Holman was out of town, but Swain met with Selectman Laura Marston.

“We did put Zoe temporarily in the position of town clerk so we didn’t have to close the Town Office,” Swain said.

Swain said the town will advertise the town clerk opening. The board was expected to discuss Mailly’s resignation and the process of hiring a new clerk at its regular meeting Nov. 18, last night.

The Nov. 12 emergency meeting, Swain said, only dealt with the appointment of Cowett as interim town clerk. It lasted “10 minutes, if that,” he said.

Cowett said the meeting was called and the notice was posted Nov. 12. It took place at 9 a.m., she said.