MADAWASKA, Maine – Madawaska is holding a special election to fill the seat of selectman Michael Williams, who resigned earlier this month. The person elected will fill the remainder of his term, which would have ended in June of 2027.
Selectman Chair Jason Boucher read a brief resignation letter from Williams during a meeting last week.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to give this board a 100 percent [effort], which it deserves,” Boucher read from Williams’ letter. “So due to that, I, Michael J. Williams, am resigning my position as town selectman.”
Boucher said the letter was given to town officials on Oct. 11. Williams’ resignation happened toward the end of a turbulent year in town government that saw town manager Gary Picard and selectman Christopher Braley both resign in February. Braley’s seat was filled during the June election in which Williams was elected.
Boucher said the board’s remaining four members have the ability to proceed until next year’s regular election, or that they could opt to go with a special election and fill the vacant seat as soon as possible.
“I feel strongly about providing the town with what we said we would provide them and filling that fifth seat with a selectman,” he said. “So I would recommend to the board that we have a special election.”
He said it will cost the town between $1,000 and $2,000 to hold this election.
Boucher said that while the town could legally operate with just four selectmen, if one called out sick, it would narrow the board down to just three.
“That doesn’t give a full representation of all the taxpayers,” he said. “I think with a board of five people, we have five different opinions. Sometimes they’re the same. Sometimes they’re different. But it gives the taxpayers much better representation.”
Selectman Christopher Michaud asked if having a new selectman get acclimated during the town’s busy winter could create additional difficulties.
Boucher said that since a seat will be up during next year’s election, filling the vacant seat then could result in two new members who need to familiarize themselves with everything. Having the December election, he said, would make that more of a gradual process.
Madawaska Ambulance Chief Eric Cyr said that, as a taxpayer and department head, he agreed with Boucher’s motion, and that it is important that five board members are available to discuss town business.
Nomination papers for the special election will be available on Oct. 23, and need to be signed and returned to the town clerk by noon on Nov. 6.
The election will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Madawaska Knights of Columbus Hall on 172 Fox Street.
