LIVERMORE FALLS – As many as five high-ranking officials have left or are leaving town for vacation, just days before municipal government is expected to close “indefinitely.”
Town Manager Martin Puckett is getting married Saturday and honeymooning at an undisclosed location immediately afterward. He will be back in town July 10.
Gone or also going are three selectmen and the town clerk and treasurer.
Selectman William Demeray is on vacation in Las Vegas. He is expected back Friday. Selectman Michael Collins, who is in the National Guard, is supposed to be on maneuvers this week or next. He was not available for comment on Wednesday.
Selectman Russell Flagg and his wife, Kristal, have planned a vacation for the week of July 1.
Kristal Flagg is also the town’s treasurer and clerk. The Flaggs said Monday they are not sure if they will leave town.
Voters at the June 14 annual town meeting denied funding to multiple town departments as a result of a dispute over proposals to close the dispatch service and waste transfer station.
Without money authorized to pay town officials or keep open the town office, Police Department, library, dispatch, or transfer station, the town office will close “indefinitely” as of July 1, town representative Dawn Young said.
Selectmen plan a special meeting Monday, June 26, to finalize warrant articles for a special town meeting to be held on or after July 10, Young said. But it remained unclear whether there are enough town officials, including selectmen, who would be available for the meeting to move forward. Without another town meeting and passage of key budget articles, the town does not have a way to fund services as of June 30.
Many townspeople think it’s irresponsible for so many officials to be going away, or even thinking about going away, at this time, transfer station manager Fred Nadeau said Wednesday.
“They had time enough and opportunity enough to deal with this situation,” Nadeau said. Selectmen could have prepared town meeting warrant articles at their meeting on Monday, he said.
“We could have had this resolved, but their arrogance has prevented that,” he said.
Young said Wednesday that she understands why some people think the vacationing officials are irresponsible. However, she said she’s glad they’re taking a break.
Puckett planned his wedding for late June because he thought after the June town meeting everything would be done, Young explained. Attempts to reach Puckett for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.
“Who would have known?” Young asked.
“We all just assumed that after the town meeting – we’ve never had a controversial one before – after that, he would be OK to go on his honeymoon. Same thing with Bill Demeray,” she said.
Puckett finished writing new warrant articles Wednesday, Young said. If selectmen meet Monday and agree on new ones, there is no reason why the Flaggs and Collins should not go away either, she added.
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