FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Public unrest over taxes in Fort Fairfield that began a year ago has led to the resignation of a member of the town’s new budget advisory committee.
Former Town Clerk Billie Jo Sharpe resigned her position on the committee during Wednesday’s Fort Fairfield Town Council meeting.
Following public complaints in 2021 over increased valuations and higher taxes, the council passed an ordinance in March to form an advisory committee composed of people with some financial experience to propose budget recommendations. The committee met on May 12 and again on May 17. Sharpe, an accounting technician appointed to the group, said the first meeting went well but the second prompted her resignation.
The council unanimously appointed seven members to the budget advisory committee at its April meeting: Sharpe, former deputy town clerk Danielle Cote, local pharmacist Kevin Bouchard, accountant Aaron Brown, former town councilor Jason Barnes, florist and business owner Pat Canavan and McGillan Inc. office manager Janet McGillan.
Sharpe became frustrated when the May 17 committee session devolved into disrespectful arguing from members of the public, she said. A discussion of Town Manager Andrea Powers’ contract also ensued, which was inappropriate for a public hearing with the tax group, she said during the public comment portion of Wednesday’s council session.
“What it quickly became was a town meeting, and what it did was take the focus and attention off this advisory committee and shift it to the public in attendance, and it became a back-and-forth, unproductive two-hour meeting,” Sharpe said.
Fort Fairfield Town Councilors Melissa Libby (left) and Mitch Butler listen to public comments during the May 18 council meeting. (Paula Brewer | The Star-Herald)
Bullying behavior from some residents and interruptions during meetings should stop, she said, and asked the council to formulate a meeting code of conduct. She does not share all the views of the majority of the group, she said.
“Rather than waste my energy competing with them, and with the public that attends these meetings, I will resign,” Sharpe said, adding she would focus on the staff and departments of the town and work to be their voice.
Fort Fairfield resident Danny Dufour, Sharpe’s husband, spoke on her behalf, saying she had been under stress regarding things that have been said in the town particularly since the 2021 tax increase. Powers has also dealt with a lot of unrest, he said.
“There’s no voice for a woman in this town. I just wonder if she were a man, if it would be different,” Dufour said.
Council Chairperson Robert Kilcollins said he would be open to having Sharpe back in the group if she should reconsider. He apologized to Sharpe and to anyone else affected when the committee session went off track.
Councilor Melissa Libby said she agreed there had been a lot of counterproductive behavior on the part of some residents, and was disappointed the town was losing Sharpe.
The advisory committee will continue meeting each Tuesday.
Councilors voted to allow the Fort Fairfield Fire Rescue to bid $800 for a used ambulance from the Presque Isle Fire Department. The vehicle’s engine needs replacing and some body work, which will cost about $19,000, said Deputy Fire Chief Cody Fenderson, but a new vehicle would cost from $30,000 to $40,000.
This would be the town’s third ambulance, and would be used for long-distance transfers, which at roughly $1,000 each bring revenue to the department.
The council acknowledged the Fort Fairfield Middle High School Jobs for Maine Graduates program, which received the Spirit of America Award. The award is presented to a local person, project or group for exemplary community service.
Among other business, the town council voted to proclaim May 1-7 as Municipal Clerks Week; to allow Powers to grant easements to Versant Power for pole locations at Fort Fairfield Solar LLC; to have the town manager work with the Maine International Trade Center and KPel Industries to purchase land parcels for expansion; and to have Allen’s Environmental conduct an extensive inspection of the Fort Fairfield dike that would enable the town to retain its Army Corps of Engineers certification.
Following adjournment, the council entered executive session to discuss personnel matters and code enforcement.
