LIVERMORE — Town Clerk Renda Guild and Treasurer Amy Byron said they are opposed to having their positions changed from elected to appointed.

So are Selectperson Megan Dion and board Chairman Peter Castonguay.

Voters will decide the issue at the annual town meeting Wednesday, June 15.

Guild, who has been town clerk for 16 years, said she was not aware a petition to put the articles on the town meeting warrant was being circulated.

She believes elected is the way to go. For those who think more accountability is needed, she would like to see perhaps a five-year instead of a two-year term. She also suggested requiring certain qualifications for candidates.

“There is a lot more accountability in the front office than anywhere else,” Guild said. “I am held accountable by 2,106 residents and an auditor. The Department of Motor Vehicles, the Secretary of State’s Office, Vital Records and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife holds me to a very high standard,” she said.

She said there are many reasons why appointed positions might not work as well as expected, citing a wishy-washy Board of Selectpersons as an example.

An official at Maine Municipal Association told Guild many towns have elected clerks to make sure townspeople retain their right to vote for whom they want, not necessarily who the Board of Selectpersons want, she said.

The issue of elected vs. appointed has been brought before voters at least five times since 1998, she said, and it’s been rejected every time.

Guild said if the article passes, even with 18 years experience, she would have to reapply.

Byron said Livermore has a cross-trained office so customers don’t have to wait if an officer is out. Not all offices are like that, she said.

“If the positions are appointed, we may have to start at ground zero again,” she said.

During Guild’s tenure, online banking, rapid renewal of car registrations, registration of trucks weighing 26,000 pounds and more, online tax payments and direct deposits have become available.

“This is teamwork at its finest,” Guild said. “People may like change, but change isn’t always for the best.”

Byron added, “This is democracy in action. It allows the people to have a say in how the town is run. Ultimately, it is up to them.”

Castonguay said taking the decisions away from voters is taking away the power of the people.

“It would create selectpersons that are super delegates,” he said.

If appointed, the positions could be filled by nonresidents, Castonguay said.

“Residents are more invested in the town,” Byron said.

Dion said if the positions were appointed, it could become a popularity contest within the Board of Selectpersons.

“I am opposed to it. The clerk works for the townspeople, not the selectpersons,” Dion said.

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