A new deputy tax collector was appointed Tuesday night by the Anson Board of Selectmen following an executive session.
Maddy Pierce, a former employee of the Madison Town Office, will be at the Anson Town Office full time from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a deputy tax collector, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Arnold Luce said Wednesday. He said the board voted 3-0 to appoint Pierce on Tuesday night.
The appointment follows the resignation of Tax Collector Claudia Viles earlier this month.
Viles was indicted by a Somerset County grand jury on 13 counts related to tax fraud at the Town Office. Viles’ resignation went into effect Sept. 10 after the Maine Municipal Association, which insures the town, said it wouldn’t provide bonding for any money she handles because of the indictment. Her attorney said she had no choice but to resign without the bonding, a requirement for tax collectors.
The town also has accused Viles of stealing $438,712 in excise tax money over the last four years in a civil lawsuit.
Luce said Wednesday that since Viles’ resignation, the town has been considering appointing a deputy tax collector. Administrative Assistant Tammy Murray was appointed tax collector Sept. 10.
Luce said it is common practice for municipalities to have two people who collect taxes. He said it was up to Viles to hire a deputy in the past and he was not sure if she ever had one.
“It wasn’t up to us because tax collector is an elected position, so it’s up to them whether they want to have a deputy,” he said.
Murray and Pierce will serve as tax collector and deputy tax collector, respectively, until March.
Residents are being asked to vote in November on changing the tax collector position from an elective one to an appointive one. If the resolution passes, Luce said the board plans to keep the deputy position in place.
A salary figure for Pierce was not available Wednesday.
The Board of Selectmen also approved the sale of the former Town Office on Tuesday night. It is being sold for $25,000 after selectmen earlier this month reduced the price to $40,000. Luce said the sale is through a real estate agent and that he was not sure who the buyer is or what the buyer plans to do with the building.
Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
Twitter: @rachel_ohm
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