PERU — The Maine Municipal Association has advised selectmen that Kathy Hussey should be allowed to serve out her term as board secretary.

Last month, voters passed an ordinance that changes that position from appointed to elected, but an effective date for the law was not included.

The MMA said Hussey should be allowed to serve out her term and the law take effect at next year’s election.

At Monday night’s board meeting, Selectman Ed Ferland insisted he never saw the email from the Maine Municipal Association.

Chairman Tim Holland told Ferland every selectman received it.

Ferland kept insisting he had not.

Holland reminded Ferland that he said he had not seen the minutes from the last board meeting, yet Hussey said he had been in the office last week and she gave him a copy.

Newly elected Selectman Richard Powell offered a solution: Have every email sent to the office, Town Clerk Vera Parent, Hussey and selectman displayed for he public. He suggested a box be put outside the office.

Holland asked Hussey if she could comply with that request. She said she would if she had time.

Powell said people are looking for a more transparent government and this would solve the communication problem between the board and the public.

In other news, the board will meet July 9 and 18. The latter date will be with the Planning Board to discuss a permit application for a junkyard near the confluence of Spear Stream and the Androscoggin River. Larry Snowman said he’s concerned about the yard being close to water.

The board also discussed sending bid requests this week for roofing the Town Office. Powell wrote a request but Holland asked him to add raising the chimney and vents because of having a pitched roof instead of a flat one.

The board was also informed that the state valuation has dropped since last year, going from $132,350,000 to $127,300,000.