HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Town Council has selected a new chairman to represent the town in an official capacity.
Matthew Carr was elected chairman by a vote of 5-1 Wednesday afternoon at a special organizational meeting to swear-in two new members. Rosa McNally and Sue Waite-York won seats on the council during last Tuesday’s election.
Carr was one of two individuals nominated to serve as chairman.
Incumbent chairman Wade Hanson, who was not present for the meeting, was first nominated to the position by councilors John White and Brent Dickison. That nomination was not endorsed by the rest of the board and failed by a 2-4 vote, with councilors Jane Torres, Carr, McNally and Waite-York opposed.
Carr’s nomination for chairman passed by a vote of 5-1, with Dickison opposed.
According to the town’s charter, the chairman presides at meetings of the council and is recognized as head of the town’s government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law, but has no regular administrative duties.
In the temporary absence or disability of the chairman, the chairman may designate in writing a chairman pro tempore from among the council members or, failing this action, the council may elect a chairman pro tempore; such person shall exercise all the powers of chairman during such temporary absence or disability.
Unlike fellow councilors, the chairman does not get to cast a vote on regular agenda items. The chairman may only cast a vote to break a tie or if he/she wishes to cast an affirmative vote on a measure that receives one less than the minimum number of “yes” votes to pass. The chairman may only vote “yes” in this instance.
Following the organizational meeting, Dan Nelson, the town’s attorney, gave a brief presentation on the Freedom of Access laws and what that council’s role is in regard to this law.
