MADAWASKA – Madawaska residents approved a $148,470 negotiated termination package at a special town meeting Wednesday night with their former town manager, knowing the price tag could only increase if the situation went into lengthy legal negotiations and lawsuits.

The agreement with former Town Manager Arthur Faucher was passed after an hour of discussion, Town Manager Fred Ventresco said Thursday.

Faucher’s contract was terminated in April with one year remaining on it. He worked for the town until June 30. His contract called for employment until June 30, 2005.

The town has since hired Fred Ventresco.

The settlement includes $18,048 for unpaid sick days, personal days and earned time, and unused vacation days and comp time from 1996; $43,089 severance pay, two weeks per year for 17 years of employment; $72,231 for his 2004-2005 contract which includes 13 months’ salary; cash equivalent of retirement contributions, $2,022; cash equivalent of health insurance, $3,400; five weeks of vacation, $6,924; one week’s comp time, $1,410; two personal days, $513; and 13 sick days, $833.

Faucher signed the settlement on Aug. 25.

“There were lots of questions,” Ventresco said. “The biggest issue was a breakdown of the money.

“Some people wondered why selectmen had not waited one year [to terminate Faucher’s employment]” Ventresco said. “Lawyers and selectmen were very careful with their responses because the agreement has a seven-day [refusal] clause in it.”

In the end, Ventresco said, people realized that attorney fees and other legal costs would only add to proposed agreement price. The town manager said discussion lasted about one hour.

“People also wanted to get this issue behind them,” Ventresco said.

A settlement, at least in spirit, was reached between the Madawaska Board of Selectmen and Faucher on Aug. 10.

The town began negotiations with Faucher through attorneys in May.

Vern Doucette, chairman of the Madawaska Board of Selectmen had said the agreement was basically the same formula used for termination packages for other employees that have left in recent years.

The amount of Faucher’s settlement will be taken from the town’s fund balance.

Also at the meeting, residents agreed to approve a contract to authorize the Madawaska School Department to educate elementary and secondary school pupils from Grand Isle. The contract will run through 2007 if approved by residents.

Residents also authorized the town to issue bonds or notes in the amount of $68,750 for special projects for the Recreation Department.

The projects include the installation of a furnace and hot water tank, electric ceiling heaters, lights at the multipurpose center, the purchase of a boom lift, installation of new doors at the center and repairing damaged walking paths.

The town expects that the borrowing will carry an interest rate of 4.15 percent. During the term of the borrowing, the town would repay the principal amount and $5,706 in interest.