Dresden resident Rick Lang raised concerns over the town’s lack of a conflict of interest clause at the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting Nov. 7. While making explicitly clear that he was not accusing him of any wrongdoing, Lang said that Alan Moeller’s position as Third Selectman and de facto Road Commissioner constituted an improper conflict of interest.
“He comes to the selectmen’s meeting and signs the warrant paying himself,” Lang said.
Moeller is currently out of state on vacation and was not present at the Nov. 7th meeting. When reached for comment, Moeller said he would defer any business until he returns.
While the Board of Selectmen collectively serves as the road commissioner in Dresden, the Third Selectman’s primary duty is the “review of road conditions on an ongoing basis” and to “work with other selectmen in determining what needs to be done to maintain the town roads and dealing with complaints.”
Lang said the Third Selectman works as an employee at will, working as many or as few hours per week as he wants.
“This goes to the absolute highest end of the Conflict of Interest law,” Lang said.
Lang wrote a letter to the Attorney General’s office in Augusta and claims its support in ending the practice of allowing a selectman to serve simultaneously as road commissioner.
The Conflict of Interest law, as stated in the MMA Municipal Officers Manual, determines conflict of interest to be “whether the municipal official by reason of his interest, is placed in a situation of temptation to serve his own personal pecuniary interest to the prejudice of the interests of those for whom the law authorized and required him to act.”
Moeller receives some extra pay for work he performs on Dresden roads. In a payroll summary for Sept. 26 and Oct. 6 provided by Lang to the Board, Moeller charged $17.50 per hour for 10 and nine hours of work respectively.
Lang said the Board of Selectmen must decide between two courses of action: Either the Third Selectman must perform his road commissioner duties without extra pay, or the town must elect an independent road commissioner.
Lang said Moeller could then resign his position as Third Selectman and apply to be the Road Commissioner.
“I think the town will save a lot of money in the long run,” Lang said.
First Selectman Phil Johnston said the Board would take Lang’s concerns into advisement and actively research the issue.
In other business, Lang raised concerns about the recent appointment of Ryan Chandler to be the town’s Licensed Plumbing Inspector. Lang said the town did not advertise for the position, nor did it receive a certified LPI as required by law.
Dresden recently reached an agreement with Richmond to share its Code Enforcement Officer and LPI. The town will pay the new officer $27.50 per hour for five hours of work per week and half of his training expenses. The previous inspector was paid $20 per hour for 10 hour of work per week.
“I think the citizens of Dresden have the right to know that the Board did not reappoint the last CEO and LPI due to his salary,” Lang said. “The former Codes Officer would have been glad to work half the hours for 75 percent more.”
“It’s not a good deal compared to what we were doing before,” Lang added.
Johnston said the Board will take immediate and appropriate action.
As of the Board’s regular meeting, Watson had provided proof of insurance but not a driver’s license. Lilly had bid $5700 for the town’s plowing contract, but did not receive the bid due to past poor performance.
Johnston said the town would look into the matter.
