LIVERMORE — Selectpersons voted 4-0 Tuesday night to hire Roger Ferland as highway foreman.

Administrative Assistant Amy Byron said Thursday that Ferland will be paid $21 per hour. 

The board’s vote followed an executive session. Selectperson Megan Dion was absent at the time of the vote. 

Ferland was hired as interim road foreman April 14, 2011, the same day Don St. Laurent of Canton was fired from the position. The board advertised the position internally and interviewed two prospective candidates on May 9 of that year. Afterward, the board voted to keep Ferland in the position permanently. 

Ferland left the position Sept. 7, 2015, to accept a job at Bailey Bros. Ford in Livermore Falls.

In November 2015, Gerald Whitney of Wilton was hired as highway foreman. He lost his commercial driver’s license April 24 after his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of operating under the influence. The town terminated his employment on May 2.

Highway worker Ben Campbell, who had been with the department since last December, was appointed interim road foreman. He  was paid $19.48 per hour, the same amount as Whitney.

Before the executive session Tuesday, Campbell said he would have appreciated a phone call or comment from the board that someone else was hired for the position.

“I interviewed twice,” he said. “I thought I was qualified. It upsets me the way things are going in this town.”

Selectperson Tom Gould said he appreciated hearing Campbell’s thoughts.

Resident Lynn Mercier said Campbell has done a good job on Goding Road. Other residents said Campbell is knowledgeable about the job. 

Campbell will return to his position as a highway worker for the town. Byron said Campbell’s six-month evaluation is due soon and his rate of pay will be considered at that time.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

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