HARTFORD – Lee Holman, the only remaining member of the Hartford Board of Selectmen, went to the town office for a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday. But, she said, no one attended.
“I sat there alone and read for an hour and a half,” Holman said when reached by phone Friday. She said she didn’t have an agenda but felt it was her duty as a selectman to appear, in case anyone attended.
According to state law, Holman cannot conduct formal business as the sole selectman. She could not have set an agenda or called a meeting to order.
Selectman Scott Swain resigned March 3. Since the May 27 resignation of Selectman Laura Marston, Holman has held a handful of meetings for informational purposes and to allow discussion about a series of problems that occurred during a May 17 municipal election.
At another municipal election on Friday, voters will be able to vote on a selectman to fill Marston’s seat on what is supposed to be a three-person board. Hope McCabe and Jason Rowe are running for the two years left in the term.
There also will be a runoff election for the position of town clerk. Candidates Lianne Bedard and incumbent Zoe Cowett tied 71 to 71 on May 17.
The polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town hall.
On Saturday, voters will have the opportunity to vote on a $1.4 million proposed municipal budget. Copies of the warrant are available at the town office and posted at some area stores.
One of the 61 warrant articles requests the town “vote to change the position of the town clerk, tax collector and treasurer from elected positions to appointed positions.”
Less than a year ago, the positions were appointed. Voters changed them to elected positions with a vote of 45-39 at a special town meeting Nov. 20.
The issue was raised after Lianne Bedard, former deputy town clerk, circulated a petition. Bedard said she felt the clerk was not being held accountable for her actions by the board of selectmen.
Monica Mailly was town clerk but resigned before the Nov. 20 meeting. She ran for the clerk position May 17, but received 51 votes and was defeated.
Also on Saturday, voters will be asked to approve changes to the building lots standard ordinance and comprehensive planning committee ordinance.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the town hall.
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