By Rebecca Goldfine,Staff Writer

BROWNFIELD – Town Administrator Julie Watkins was given court authority Thursday to pay bills and employees while the town lacks selectmen.

In the eight days since more than 800 people voted to recall two selectmen and re-elect a third, no bills were paid or paychecks issued. But Watkins said it wasn’t much of a hardship.

“We had payroll last week, and normally we would have had paychecks (Wednesday), so they are a day late.”

Justice Roland Cole signed an order Thursday morning in Cumberland County Superior Court in Portland authorizing Watkins to do some selectmen’s duties.

Meanwhile, the town office has nomination papers available for anyone who would like to run for the two empty seats. Three people so far have asked for them. And the town will hold a special town meeting July 18 to elect new selectmen, Watkins said.

Vincent Pestilli, David Thompson and Irving Potter all lost their seats on the board. Richard Norcross ran against Potter and won. His term begins July 1, but until he has a quorum, he cannot take any action.

The recall petition was launched in April by Brownfield resident Alvina Day, who said she was upset by the selectmen’s actions during the past year.

The strain between townspeople and selectmen became noticeable last summer after the town meeting. When a land use ordinance was defeated by a handful of votes, selectmen informed the state’s Attorney General’s office about suspicions they had of Town Clerk Wanda Bartlett.

The Attorney General’s office eventually charged Bartlett with one count of trying to influence a voter. But townspeople rallied for Bartlett after selectmen took away one of her roles as a town employee and docked her pay shortly after town meeting.

Voters re-elected Bartlett to the post of clerk, treasurer and tax collector at the June 13 elections.

Watkins said her temporary duties should help Brownfield residents know the town is being run well.

“I think they were a little concerned that business would carry on as usual, but when they get the news that employees have been paid and bills have been paid, they will be reassured,” Watkins said.