Woodland seeks to fill town office, public works positions

2 weeks ago

WOODLAND, Maine – Woodland’s most recent town clerk has resigned, prompting the town to seek another full-time office employee.

Carla Thibodeau, who began working as town clerk in June, resigned two weeks ago, said Woodland Select Board chairperson Matt Cole. Thibodeau said she was resigning due to “other plans” but did not go into details, Cole said.

Alhough Thibodeau’s resignation comes amidst a period of turnover within the town’s office, Cole said that she left on good terms.

“We’re sorry to see her go. She’s a very pleasant person,” Cole said.

During a brief board meeting Tuesday at Woodland Consolidated School, Cole said that the town is advertising for Thibodeau’s position, which also entails being a deputy treasurer and tax collector, and for a truck driver and equipment operator for Public Works.

Treasurer and tax collector Bridget Coats, who was first hired in May 2023, remains the only clerk working in the town office, according to the town’s website.

Public Works employee Paul Coy has been serving as interim road commissioner while commissioner Paul Pelletier has been on medical leave. Pelletier is expected to return in January, Cole said.

In other business, a special town meeting to vote on a proposed “operational procedural ordinance” will be rescheduled. The board had to cancel the meeting, originally scheduled for Nov. 19, after discovering errors in the meeting warrant article. A new date has not yet been chosen, Cole said.

The ordinance proposes rules for how the Select Board should oversee public meetings and suggests a code of ethics governing elected officials’ behavior during and outside meetings.

Crews from Northeast Paving of Presque Isle have been paving a half-mile stretch on the Tabor Road and Everett Road. The $11,000 project is funded through the town’s highway maintenance reserve fund, which has $200,000 total, Cole said.

The town has received three bids for paving on the Langley Road and currently plans to choose a company at their December meeting.

Board member Kathy Ouellette said that the board is working to set up the town office for Rapid Renewal, an online service for motor vehicle and trailer registration, although a timeline for launching that service has not been set.