Election, not appointment has been how four Dresden Town Office positions have been filled in the past, but that may soon change.

After an executive session Monday to discuss an employee pay raise, Board of Selectmen voted to research the possibility of a change in the way the town chooses the offices of clerk, property tax collector, excise tax collector and treasurer. 

Members discussed the prospect of coming up with a proposal in time for the June annual town meeting.

Requests to investigate have come from the office holders themselves and local officials who want to secure qualifications for the positions.

Currently, Kim Rzasa serves as town clerk, excise tax collector and treasurer, while Ann Pierce holds the position of property tax collector. 

Until now the town has had to elect candidates to each position every year for the 1-year term offices.

In other business Monday, the board heard reports about the roads and transfer station. Selectman Allan Moeller spoke about various roads that needed maintenance, including Blinn Hill Road; a culvert became plugged during recent heavy rains, causing a section of the road to wash out. 

Moeller said he has taken care of the Bogg Road problems and informed the plowing contractor about various roads that are private and the town does not have to plow.

Moeller told the board he gave the contractor maps of the roads in question. He also spoke about problems with Jenny Lane which needs fixing with gravel by residents in order for it to stay on the list of plowed areas.

Moeller also criticized plowing done by an individual, calling it illegal. “There is a $190 fine for pushing snow across the road,” he said. “There is a state law now that says you can’t leave snow on any side of the road.”

Selectman David Probert reported on the various things concerning solid waste disposal at the transfer station and received approval of three days this year for closure of the station, namely Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday), July 4 and Thanksgiving.

Probert also said the ice on the skating rink has been too thin for a truck to plow the snow and suggested a self-propelled snow remover. 

“I’d really like to keep that skating rink going because people enjoy it,” he said. 

The board also appointed Trudy Foss as health officer. In response to a question about the duties of the town health officer, Foss said the officer inspects living conditions that may be questionable and makes recommendations.

At an earlier meeting in December, the board appointed Sonia Lilly as the local emergency management administration director. Lilly serves in the local fire department.

Currently, selectmen said the budget review committee needs two members.

The next meeting of the board will be held Monday, Jan. 28 at Pownalborough Hall at 6 p.m., and the next workshop will be held Monday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Town Office. The Town Office will be closed Monday, Jan. 21 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.