MADAWASKA, Maine – The Madawaska selectboard on Dec. 17 unanimously accepted the resignation of selectman Christopher Michaud, who in his resignation letter cited a need to focus on more personal priorities.
Michaud, who was elected to the board in 2022, was not in attendance during the meeting, however board member Jenney Dionne read his resignation letter to those in attendance.
“Rest assured, it’s not because I didn’t enjoy, for the greater part, the experience and new things I learned or was a part of,” Dionne read from the letter. “There are times when we must honestly face and apply our undivided attention to more critical priorities like health and home.”
Michaud, in his letter, said he felt encouraged by the progress made by the town government in the past couple years, and that the town was moving in a positive direction.
“Thank you for the privilege of being a part in making things better for our municipality, its broader community, and most of all, the wonderful folks who affectionately call Madawaska home,” Michaud’s letter concluded.
Michaud’s resignation comes just a couple of months after selectman Michael Williams resigned on Oct. 11. In Williams’ resignation letter, he wrote that, due to unforeseen circumstances, he would not be able to give the board a 100 percent effort. Williams’ was elected this year and his term would have ended in June of 2027.
The town held a special election on Dec. 3 to fill the vacancy left after Williams’ resignation. A total of 234 ballots were cast, and Renee Deschaine was elected with a total of 128 votes.
The board on Dec. 17 discussed whether or not to have a special election to fill the vacancy left after Michaud’s departure. They ultimately voted against this, as Michaud’s term would have ended in June and whoever won the special election would need to run again in just a few months.
Town Manager David Daigle said it would cost roughly $1,100 to hold another special election.
Deschaine said that while she supported filling the vacancy so it doesn’t place extra pressure on the now four-person board, she said she would not be in favor of pursuing the election if it resulted in the town going over budget. She added that whoever wins the special election would also have to run twice within a six-month period.
“In June, we’re going to have an election for board of selectmen, school board, and also any other primary, legislative or ballot measures coming up,” she said. “I was thinking maybe it would be worth the cost to wait until June and there will be more of a voter turnout.”
Madawaska resident Richard Dionne, who recently served as the board’s chairman, said that, in the past, the town had checked with the Maine Municipal Association for guidance during a similar situation and were advised not to go through with the process if there is only a six-month gap.
The board then voted unanimously to wait until June to fill the vacancy.
