MADAWASKA, Maine – Madawaska selectman Christopher Braley submitted his resignation just prior to Tuesday night’s meeting, which present board members unanimously accepted. Braley’s resignation comes less than 10 days after Town Manager Gary Picard’s Feb. 5 resignation.
The board did not discuss Braley’s reasons for resigning, and Chairman Richard Dionne said the resignation letter would need to be obtained via Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) request.
Braley’s resignation comes amid recent turmoil in the town’s government and operations.The board on Tuesday also unanimously approved Picard’s terms of separation. The terms were not discussed during the meeting. Dionne said the terms would also need to be obtained via formal information request.
The Bangor Daily News submitted a FOAA letter to town officials requesting the information pertaining to both resignations on Wednesday.
Dionne said after the meeting that the town would not hold a special election to fill the vacancy on the board, as the town’s regular election is a few months away in early June. Dionne said that both he and Braley’s three-year terms are up this year, lasting from 2021 to 2024.
Braley was not present at Tuesday’s meeting. The last meeting he attended was on Feb. 9, and it was an emergency meeting related to Picard’s unexpected resignation. Braley recused himself from voting on the second and third items on the agenda – to consider a method of an executive search for a new town manager and the discussion of a hiring committee — for personal reasons.
Picard resigned amid a controversy involving the town’s public works department in which three workers, including the director, quit in November. Picard initially suggested providing $3 an hour raises and a $5 shift differential for nights and weekends, however Braley suggested switching the numbers and providing a $5 an hour raise across the board with a $3 shift differential. Picard and the board agreed to make this change to the proposal.
The town has since filled several vacant positions in the department, including the director role.
The town’s next select board meeting is set for next Tuesday, Feb. 20.
