PARIS — Selectmen voted to ratify the Policy and Procedure Committee in its duty as an advisory committee at the meeting Monday, and voted to add a new alternate position.

The ratification addressed a concern that when the committee was established, there was no proper ratifying vote.

However, the board held off on appointing former selectman Jean Smart to the committee in the alternate position until the opening could be advertised. The board, which recently added James Hakala, reviews and helps draft town ordinances.

Chairman John Richardson said member John Jenness plans to leave the committee but hasn’t formally resigned. The committee had hoped to add Smart as an alternate, so that she could become a full member immediately after Jenness’ resignation was accepted.

However, town policy requires that board openings be advertised, so that interested residents have a chance to apply. Richardson said the committee was already soliciting applications to the committee recently, without much interest. The only difference was in the name.

Rather than appoint Smart to the board, which is full at the moment, they intended to name her an alternate committee member.

Selectman Robert Kirchherr said he felt they had satisfied the need to advertise the position. Chairman Sam Elliot disagreed. “As a procedural matter, that position should be listed until the next meeting,” Elliot said.

“I don’t think we should be cutting corners,” Elliot said.

The board voted to table the vote, and will consider Smart’s application, and any other applications at the Sept. 10 meeting.

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