LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to appoint Bruce Adams to the Planning Board. They also voted to accept Planning Board member Scott Roberts’ reason for not attending a mandatory training session because he was in Canada.

Both Roberts and another new member, Ken Jacques will need to undergo training at the convenience of the Code Enforcement Officer James Butler Jr., selectmen said.

Prior to the vote, Chairman Bill Demaray asked Roberts if he brought any documentation with him to show why he was absent from a mandatory, training session on powers and duties on Feb. 28. Demaray said Roberts was sent a letter asking him to appear before the Board of Selectmen on the matter.

Roberts said he emailed Demaray, two months ago, and told him that he would not be able to attend because he would be at a probate hearing for his mother at 1:30 p.m. in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Roberts asked Demaray what type of documentation he needed to bring to prove he was in Canada.

Demaray said it was a board decision on whether someone missing the training was to be re-appointed.

Two weeks ago, selectmen dismissed Chairman Guy Palmieri for missing four meetings including the training session, which violated the town’s ordinance, Demaray said at the time.

Roberts said he could not make the meeting because he could not get back in time. He could bring in time-stamped paperwork from U.S. Customs or other documentation. He asked the board to be more specific.

Roberts questioned whether the new member, Adams, had training. Demaray said Adams came to the training session prior to appointment.

The only two who have not received the training are Jacques and Roberts.

Selectmen Alphonso Barker and Ken Pelletier said Roberts’ word was good enough for them.

“I’d like him to do the training,” Pelletier said.

The board voted unanimously to accept Roberts’ reason for not attending the training session and to provide training for Jacques and Roberts.

In other business, Town Manager Kristal Flagg reviewed draft warrant articles including revised ordinances and changing from an elected treasurer/town clerk to an appointed one in 2012-13.

Selectmen are putting the position change before voters for the second time in recent years.

Flagg will include on the warrant article that the Maine Municipal Association, town auditor and the state recommend that the position be appointed rather than elected.

Demaray said feedback from the previous vote was that townspeople rejected the change because they thought selectmen were trying to get rid of Flagg. Flagg is currently holding down three positions including treasurer/town clerk and has one year left on her two-year term. She will give up the jobs on July 1 to become full-time manager, Demaray said.

The problem with an elected position is that someone could be elected who doesn’t know how to deal with money and they would be handling the town’s money, he said.

With so much illegal appropriating of money and people helping themselves, Demaray said, MMA is recommending the position be appointed by selectmen for accountability purposes. Currently, selectmen have no oversight of treasurer, he said.

Resident Ken Smith said voters rejected the change a few years ago.

If approved, “People don’t get who they want, you do,” Smith told selectmen.

If voters don’t want to change, it will remain elected, Demaray said.

Flagg also said residents will also consider amending the Planning Board Ordinance to have a five-member board with two alternates.

A public hearing on the budget and ordinances is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the town office.

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