Peru board asks for road commissioner accountability

PERU — The Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 Monday to have the Ordinance Committee draft rules to make the road commissioner more accountable to the board and to his job description.

The action comes after a string of disagreements between the board and Road Commissioner Lee Merrill, who is elected by voters, regarding who has final authority to decide what work is done and how much to spend.

Chairwoman Carol Roach said it’s clear the board has authority over spending.

Selectmen John Witherell, Raquel Welch and Wendy Henderson voted to have rules drafted; Roach and Larry Snowman voted against it.

“If the town wants to have a road commissioner that is required to be reportable to the board for hiring and firing, then we need to change the position from elected official to appointed,” Roach said.

She said there is not enough time to get the ordinance on the June ballot.

In other business, candidates for the June 13 elections were announced. Fire Chief Bill Hussey is running unopposed for re-election; Brad Hutchings and Merrill are vying for road commissioner; and Roach is seeking another term. All are for three years.

Henderson is not seeking re-election, so her seat could be filled by write-in votes, Town Clerk Vera Parent said.

Balloting will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.

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