PERU — Ever since selectmen’s secretary Kathy Hussey was elected last year as selectman, people have voiced concern at meetings and to Board of Selectmen Chairman Tim Holland about town employees also holding a town office.

On Monday, Holland presented an ordinance for the June referendum, which brought sharp criticism from Hussey.

“I was gone for a week’s vacation and you three cooked this up,” she said, referring to Selectmen Holland, Ed Ferland and Laurieann Milligan.

Hussey and Selectman Rick Vaughn are town employees and siblings. she is selectmen’s secretary and he is a highway worker.

Holland assured her that neither Milligan nor Ferland knew anything about the proposed ordinance until he called Ferland on Sunday night and Milligan saw it at the meeting.

Milligan told Hussey it was not done behind her back.

He said the board needs five people to vote on all issues, and she and Vaughn had to recuse themselves from voting if there was a conflict of interest.

Resident Marie Eastman, who attends most meetings, said, “The tension is this room is palpable during areas of conflict of interest. You’re not being effective for this town.”

Hussey said they never voted on anything that was a conflict of interest.

Holland said it was of critical importance that the public have confidence in the integrity of its municipal government and town officials.

The ordinance says town employees may seek nomination for election to any office, but if elected they must resign from employment prior to taking office. It says employees must not engage in political activities while on duty or use any supplies or equipment of the town for political purposes.

In other news, the board approved a building permit for a garage in shoreland zoning with conditions of not trimming the brush near the shore until approved by the code enforcement officer.

Road Commissioner Joe Roach said the road crew would go back on summer hours next week, weather permitting, and roads will remain posted until further notice.