Hollis committee proposes switching four elected municipal roles to appointed positions

A study committee convened earlier this year and unanimously recommended that Hollis transition four elected municipal offices to appointed (hired) positions at the expiration of incumbents' terms, the Select Board heard June 17. Nancy Ponzetti, committee chair, presented the group's work and a draft ordinance that would convert the road commissioner, tax collector, town clerk and treasurer to hired positions when each current term ends.

Ponzetti said the committee compiled job descriptions, met four times between March and April and reached a unanimous recommendation. "This would also help to guarantee them job safety," she said, describing the committee's goal to broaden the applicant pool and avoid situations in which few candidates mean voters have limited choices.

The committee recommended a legal review of the draft ordinance (the transcript references Title 3A) and proposed a September meeting to revise any attorney suggestions before launching a voter-education campaign similar to previous governance changes. If the board approves placing the ordinance on the warrant, the committee proposed a vote on November 3 with an effective date in 2027 for the first position to convert (treasurer).

Board members asked clarifying questions about transition mechanics (for example whether an incumbent who resigns early could be appointed provisionally) and about public outreach. The Select Board took the item under advisement and asked staff to provide a cursory legal review before the next meeting so the board can decide whether to place the draft ordinance on a future warrant.