HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s town manager, who was arrested Sept. 25 on felony victim tampering and domestic violence assault charges, was placed on administrative leave Friday afternoon by the Town Council before most of the group resigned.
Immediately following the unanimous vote to place Cameron Clark on leave, Council Chairperson Jane Torres resigned, as did Councilors Jim Peters and Erin Matthews, effectively leaving the town without a governing body.
In the aftermath of Clark’s arrest, unrest and chaos reached a boiling point as three municipal departments declared this week that they have lost confidence in the town manager and the council, and a group of citizens took steps to oust councilors. And last week councilors Jon McLaughlin and Alexis Brown resigned because they did not agree with the council’s decision to keep Clark on the job, citing moral and ethical concerns.
The council’s decision came as calls to place Clark on administrative leave escalated and tensions deepened between residents, town employees and town councilors. The move has effectively left the community rudderless with two councilors, Eileen McLaughlin and Edward Lake, remaining. The town cannot conduct municipal business until new members are appointed, because Houlton’s charter specifies four members and a chair are needed for a quorum.
“As council chair I believe that recent threats directed toward the council have created an environment that is no longer conducive to effective government,” Torres said. “Cameron Clark has distinguished himself as one of the most effective and proactive leaders I have had the opportunity to collaborate with. My support for Cameron Clark is unwavering.”
After adjourning the meeting, “the councilors tipped the proverbial table over on their way out,” resident Mark Lipscombe said.
Town Manager Cameron Clark was arrested and jailed on Sept. 25 by Aroostook County Sheriff’s deputies, but until Friday’s vote, councilors said that Clark should stay on the job despite his criminal arrest.
Although they placed him on leave, Torres, Matthews, Lake and McLaughlin said they still believe in Clark and his ability to lead the town.
Effective immediately, Clark, who is on daily Department of Corrections supervision and must abide by an overnight curfew, will be on administrative leave until his criminal case is resolved. The victim tampering charge against Clark is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Matthews said Wednesday that Clark’s accomplishments were being overshadowed by his recent felony arrest and the surrounding public outrage.
“It’s important for people to maybe take a look at some of the good things that Mr. Clark has done for our town both financially and in many, many ways,” she said.
Countering Matthews, the members of the town ambulance and public works union said that while Clark may have helped the town financially and structurally, “he has destroyed the moral and ethical compass we all live by.”
“Seeing the leader of our town operating outside of that standard is disheartening,” they said.
“What was once a team of employees proud to work together and represent the town of Houlton has become a group of employees ashamed of the decision made by the town council.”
A 24-page police affidavit obtained by the Bangor Daily News last week alleges that on Sept. 12, Clark repeatedly shoved a woman he had invited to his home with both hands backward off his porch and into the bushes. The victim told investigators that Clark threatened to ruin her and she would never get another job in town if she reported it, the affidavit revealed.
Clark was appointed town manager in Houlton earlier this year after Jeremy Smith unexpectedly resigned from the role in January. Clark was initially appointed interim town manager and appointed in April.
During his short tenure Houlton has come under fire in several ways, including from residents concerned about the town’s controversial surveillance camera system and the town has spent most of its annual legal budget defending itself against court appeals from residents seeking town records. Additionally, First Amendment experts questioned the constitutionality of a new public comment procedure for Town Council meetings.
“By appointing an acting or interim manager during a leave, the governing board can ensure the continuity of essential services for residents while addressing personnel matters in a measured and responsible manner,” said Sandra Fournier, the president of the Maine Town, City & County Municipal Association.
In Maine it is common practice to place senior staff on administrative leave when facing criminal charges. Placing a town or city manager on paid administrative leave is not a disciplinary action, nor does it imply wrongdoing. Instead, it is a neutral measure that temporarily separates the manager from day-to-day operations while an independent review or investigation is conducted, Fournier said.
According to Clark’s contract, obtained by the Bangor Daily News through a Freedom of Access Act request, his probationary status ended two days ago, meaning he is now eligible for three months severance pay if he is terminated. If convicted of criminal charges, he would not be eligible for that benefit.
Correction: An earlier version of this story left out the word “proverbial” from a comment by Mark Lipscombe about the councilors who resigned.
