Paris loses deputy treasurer

PARIS — Sharon Gendreau, who has served as the deputy treasurer of Paris for two years and two months, has resigned from her position.

"I personally am going to miss her, and there's absolutely nothing about this that would mar her record," Town Manager Phil Tarr told a meeting of the board. "She's been very effective and very good at what she does, and it's going to be a very difficult position to fill."

Selectwoman Jean Smart asked Tarr why Gendreau was leaving, and Tarr said that it was to move on to a different position.

Gendreau, who also served as the treasurer of the town for an interim period, says that she is moving on to be the finance director for the town of Fryeburg.

"I enjoyed the work," said Gendreau. "I've met a lot interesting people. But I just wanted to move on. There's a lot of turmoil in this town."

Tarr said that he was accepting Gendreau's resignation with regret.

"She came in and did her work, and she paid great attention to detail," said Tarr. "She was a fantastic resource to the town, and she will be sorely missed."

As deputy treasurer, Gendreau handled the town's accounts, and had a great level of responsibility in ensuring that financial transactions were properly conducted.

She says that, during her tenure, the town's accounting procedures have become better-organized. 

"The bookkeeping portion, I'm leaving better than it was when I got here," said Gendreau. "The town is in good financial standing."

Gendreau says that, if her replacement needs to draw on her wisdom and experience, she will just be a phone call away.

"If they do need my help with anything, they can always contact me," said Gendreau.

Gendreau says that her career in accountancy began at the age of 16, in the northern Maine town of Matawaska.

"The guidance office recommended me to a lawyer whose secretary was going on medical leave," said Gendreau. "Since then, I've had a lot more training and classes. But I've basically been doing work with finances ever since."

Tarr and Gendreau said that the position will likely be filled on an interim basis before a permanent employee is hired.