Bernard appointed to official positions

PARIS —  Recently-hired Town Manager Amy Bernard was appointed to official positions in the town by the board of selectmen during its Tuesday meeting.

Board members appointed Bernard as treasurer, tax collector and road commissioner for the town.

At Bernard's request, the board tabled recommitting taxes to her until the next meeting.

Currently, outstanding taxes are committed to Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox, Bernard explained Wednesday morning.

As the town's tax collector, she should have the authority to collect outstanding taxes or place liens on property, Bernard said.

The town is still calculating outstanding taxes for last year so she wants to wait to have them committed to her until the calculations are complete, which should be by the next scheduled selectboard meeting.

At Tuesday's meeting several residents welcomed Bernard to Paris and thanked her for providing supporting details of agenda items for each meeting, a new practice Bernard has initiated.

Residents said the practice aided transparency and their understanding of town affairs.

In other news the board:

• Approved a Central Maine Power and FairPoint New England Application to relocate a pole on Hooper Ledge Road.

• Authorized Bernard to look into the possibility of leasing parking space in a town-owned lot adjacent to the old fire station.

• Adjusted town office hours on December 24 to give employees a half-day.