Due to health concerns about the coronavirus, Edgecomb Tax Collector Deb Boucher has resigned after 11 years on the post. Boucher sent an email resignation last week to selectmen citing concerns about her “physical and mental” health. She wrote “I resigned as the town Tax collector last week and this happened rather quickly. It was not how I would have liked to retire.”

 

On June 15, selectmen voted 3-0 to accept Boucher’s resignation and later went into executive session to discuss a possible short- and long-term replacement. Selectmen appointed two people to divide the tax collector’s duties until the fiscal year ends on June 30. Town Clerk Claudia Coffin will assume Boucher’s duties as tax collector and Frances Mague will handle collecting excise tax. Selectmen are also advertising for a long-term replacement who will remain in the position until the May 2021 election. 

 

Selectmen were surprised at Boucher’s resignation. Board members believed Boucher’s sudden decision was spurred by recent discussions of the municipal business office reopening. “There is a lot of personal contact and I think Deb was concerned about this which resulted in her resigning,” Selectman Jack Sarmanian said. “She did a great job ... but the selectmen were planning on opening the business office on June 11, and I think that weighed on her.”

 

The municipal tax collector is an elected position with a one-year term.