AVON — Voters at the annual town meeting Saturday, March 20, approved using funds set aside last year to hire a new office person.

Funds were set aside last year for the position, but COVID-19 threw a wrench in things and no one was hired, Town Clerk Mary Dunham said in a phone interview Wednesday. The position is expected to be advertised shortly, she said.

“The person will be deputy to the tax collector, treasurer and town clerk,” Dunham said. “$11,500 was approved at the town meeting held in July last year.”

All articles passed and Tom Saviello of Wilton served as moderator, she said.

The new $273,740 municipal budget is 16.6% higher than the current spending plan, Selectperson Jerry Gilchrist had said previously.

Nominations for elected officials were taken from the floor.

Mary Jane Thorndike was elected to fill the remaining two years of the first-selectperson seat. Nicole Bachelder had stepped down from the position, Dunham said.

Tammy Gould was elected to a three-year selectperson term.

Incumbents re-elected to their positions were Bruce Dunham constable, Mary Dunham town clerk and tax collector, Jerry Haines road commissioner and Maureen Haley treasurer. No one was nominated to fill a three-year term on the Maine School Administrative District 58 board of directors.

Selectpersons will determine who will fill the seat, Dunham said.

Supporting Sponsor for Franklin Journal, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rangeley Highlander and Rumford Falls Times.
Keeping communities informed by supporting local news. franklinsavings.bank