HOULTON, Maine — The town of Houlton is looking to fill a vacant seat on its board following the resignation of councilor Nate Bodenstab last month.
Bodenstab was one of three people elected to a three-year term on the council in November 2020, receiving 1,659 votes. He stepped down from the board in late May after just six months, when his job necessitated a move away from Houlton.
Houlton town councilors unanimously agreed Monday, June 14, to start the process of filling the vacancy. That meeting marked the first time in more than a year that the board opened its meetings to the general public for in-person attendance.
According to the town’s charter, the council must have four members voting in the affirmative to pass an item. There are seven members of the town council, but the chairperson is not allowed to vote on items unless it is to break a tie. Even then, the chairperson may only vote in the affirmative.
“I think it would be wise for us to move ahead [with filling the seat],” councilor Sue Tortello said. “It makes things very difficult since we have to have four voting members in order to pass anything. Things come up and sometimes people can’t make a meeting. That puts the onus on a lot of us to make sure we are here.”
Whoever the board appoints to the position will only hold the seat until the November election. At that time, a new candidate will be sought to fill the remaining two years for the position.
People who are interested in serving on the board should contact the town office at 207-532-7111.
