After recently losing its town administrative assistant and deputy clerk, a midcoast town has closed its town office — at least temporarily.
Unity’s former administrative assistant, Kari Hunt, left the role on Friday. Hunt also served as the town clerk, treasurer, tax collector and registrar of voters.
Anne Goodblood, who served as the town’s deputy clerk, deputy treasurer and deputy tax collector, left her role at the same time, town officials said. Once a new administrative assistant is hired, they will be responsible for filling Goodblood’s position.
For residents, the unusual closure means that town business including paying taxes and completing vehicle registrations will have to be completed elsewhere. According to a public notice on the town’s website, residents can go to Thorndike or Burnham for vehicle registration or use the town’s online payment system. Information on property taxes is available on the site as well, according to the notice.
The Waldo County town is hiring for the position. A job listing for the role said the administrative assistant does a wide range of day to day clerical functions and is responsible for preparing select board agendas and minutes.
The town has also posted a job listing seeking a new code enforcement officer. Goodblood had previously filled the position in addition to her other duties, but the town began searching for a full time replacement in July. The town’s Plumbing Inspector David Schofield is now serving as the interim code enforcement officer.
Select board meetings will continue as scheduled on the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month at the Unity Community Center at 32 School Street, where the meetings were moved in recent months due to increased public attendance. In Unity, the administrative assistant is typically responsible for creating the board’s agenda and taking minutes of the board’s meetings. In the interim, that public documentation will be maintained by members of the select board, said Unity Selectman Tony Avila.
“This is new ground for us all, but all three select board members work good together and we will climb over this little hump,” Avila said.
The board’s next meeting will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
