After 37 years, Allagash makes official change Town elects new faces to replace veteran town clerk, first assessor

ALLAGASH – Voters have seated new officers in the former positions of two 37-year veteran municipal officers who decided not to seek re-election.

Annie Paradis, the community’s tax collector, was re-elected to her 39th year of office.

“I have loved it and I like working with people,” Paradis, also a retired schoolteacher, said Sunday.

Roy Gardner, first assessor, and Hope McBreairty, clerk, treasurer and secretary, called it quits after 37 years each.

“I feel good about getting done,” McBreairty said Sunday. “I think I did my job and now let someone else do it.”

Gardner was unavailable for comment Sunday.

In the largest turnout in several years, 157 of the town’s 200 residents went to the polls.

Paradis was the high vote getter with 135 ballots cast in her name.

Ricky Jackson was elected first assessor with 75 votes. Other candidates for that position were Carolyn O’Leary who had 32 votes, Howard Baker with 17 votes, and David Gardner, 16 votes.

Joel Jackson was elected second assessor with 86 votes defeating Danny Pelletier with 66 votes.

Louis Pelletier III garnered 123 votes to become third assessor, defeating Melford Hafford who had 26 votes.

A total of 70 residents attended the hour-long annual business meeting Saturday.

Most of the warrant articles in the municipal budget remained the same as last year, totaling approximately $116,580.

Paradis said until all the projected revenues and expenses, including education and county taxes were added up, she was unable to determine if the $14.50 per $1,000 in property valuation would change.

Compiled by Gloria Flannery