Southport residents met Feb. 10 at the island’s town hall to discuss — and, at times, spiritedly debate — the relative merits of electing versus appointing the town’s officers.

The meeting brought 33 residents out on a snowy evening and was held so that residents might have the opportunity to discuss proposed bylaw changes from elected to appointed officers prior to the March 7 annual meeting.

Most of the discussion concerned three questions: Why wasn’t the treasurer’s job posted prior to the recent appointment of Gail Sprague; why has the deputy treasurer position remained unfilled; and why would appointment of town officers by the selectmen be more beneficial for the town than continuing to elect the officers?

The selectmen were asked why the opening for the treasurer’s position had not been posted so that a number of people could apply and be interviewed.

In response, the selectmen said that they had only been given one week from Treasurer Anita Sherman’s official resignation notice to fill the position. “We didn’t have time to advertise for the position,” Selectman Gerry Gamage explained. “We needed to keep town business going. We spoke to a number of people about taking the job and they refused, but the current treasurer came forward and offered to step in.”

Several residents mentioned the lack of a deputy treasurer who would have normally filled the position when the treasurer resigned.  Selectmen responded that there is difficulty in finding qualified people. Town Clerk and Tax Collector Donna Climo provided the information that each officer is responsible for appointing their own deputies. She also explained that a Maine Municipal Association survey of small towns shows that “more and more officers are being appointed, by a ratio of three to one.”

Asked why the selectmen feel that the change from elected to appointed officers would benefit the town or help in finding qualified candidates, Gamage replied that it would not be easier to find candidates “but when we find them, it is easier to have some oversight.”

The selectmen explained that elected officers are not currently under their supervision and as a result, it is more difficult to address and correct any issues that might arise. If there are issues, the process to correct them is awkward and time-consuming for the town.

Resident Leigh Sherrill countered, “By changing from elected to appointed town officers, we would be giving up our town meeting form of government.”  

The annual town meeting is March 7 at the town hall.