Alna selectmen had a night of threes Oct. 5. The three members agreed to hire Michelle Cameron at a salary equal to $30 an hour for 25 hours a week plus a $1,500 a month stipend toward medical benefits; nodded having Harry Moody grade the town’s unpaved roads again for under $3,000 as he did this summer; and heard Jeff Philbrick announce 314 people attended the Alna-themed art show at Puddledock School.

Cameron, of Damariscotta, was prepared to accept those terms for the clerk job, First Selectman Ed Pentaleri said. 

Special town meeting voters made the $10 an hour clerk pay hike possible Sept. 29. They nearly unanimously OK’d the board to negotiate within the funds approved at town meeting last March, Pentaleri said. With the town office open less this year amid staffing issues, enough was left to raise the pay, but the March warrant article capped it at $20 an hour, he said.

He told board meeting attendees at the town office and over Zoom Oct. 5, in this labor market, $20 an hour is not realistic for a town clerk’s skills and statutory duties. Deputy Clerk Lynette Eastman has been interim clerk since Lisa Arsenault left the job this summer and the first candidate the board picked, Elizabeth Dickerson, declined. Cameron did, too, but then the Lincoln Academy graduate agreed to be deputy registrar of voters, Pentaleri said. Until then, Eastman and the board had been concerned, with the Nov. 8 election near, he said.

Cameron’s arrival kept Eastman from walking out the door or jumping off the desk, Pentaleri continued. In the two weeks since Cameron began as deputy registrar of voters, “It has just become really, really clear that we’re going to be really, really fortunate to have her onboard, along with Lynette. I think it’s going to be really fantastic.” 

Second Selectman Linda Kristan said she was “quite delighted” to get Cameron after the hard time finding someone. “We’re lucky to be in this position,” Third Selectman Charles Culbertson said.

Pentaleri said Cameron has been a clerk, deputy clerk, registrar and deputy registrar of voters, general assistance administrator, notary, deputy treasurer, tax collector and deputy tax collector and, in Newcastle last year, interim town manager. She has also worked for Damariscotta and Nobleboro, Pentaleri said. “Michelle checks all the boxes we needed.”

Also Oct. 5, Pentaleri announced Kristina Verney has resigned with regret from the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit board of directors, would like to keep attending wellness team meetings and plans to stay involved with the district through her work at Let’s Go and LincolnHealth. Her service has been impactful for the town and district, he said.

Pentaleri said praise from the district included Verney’s help strengthening its nutrition program and guiding the board through challenging times.

Selectmen will name an interim director until next March, when residents elect someone to serve the rest of Verney’s term that ends in 2024, Pentaleri said. If interested in the interim appointment, email alnaclerk@gmail.com

The board nodded a catering permit for Blaze Brewing of Biddeford for Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum and Sea Lyon Farm’s Pumpkin Pickin’ Trains event Oct. 22. “Sounds like good wholesome fun for everybody,” Pentaleri said.

The board meets next at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at the town office and over Zoom.