Voters are expected to consider two amendments to the city charter this Tuesday, both aimed at clearly defining the terms “employee” and “employment.” These changes are designed to prevent potential conflicts if a former employee decides to run for office or if a former elected official applies for a city job.
City Manager Michael Ellis emphasized that the amendments “are not directed toward any particular thing that has happened.” Rather, they arose after councilors and the city’s attorney recognized that the current charter does not precisely define “employee” or specify which city departments qualify as “employment.”
At present, the charter stipulates that current councilors cannot hold another city office or be employed by the city while serving in an elected role. Additionally, there is a one-year waiting period before a former city councilor can be employed by the city. However, the charter does not define what constitutes an “employee.”
### Defining City Employment in Section 2
The first proposed amendment, located in section 2 of the charter, addresses the prohibition against councilors holding “compensated” office or employment with the city. It adds language defining city employment to include, but not be limited to, the:
– School Department
– Water Department
– Sewer Department
– Police Department
– Fire Department
– Public Works Department
– Recreation Department
– Library
– City Administration
Ellis explained that “there was not one thing that set this off.” Instead, the change is a matter of good governance and aligns the charter’s language with that found in other city charters.
One important aspect of defining an “employee,” Ellis noted, involves School Department employees. While these individuals may consider the school their employer because it is where they work, because the city approves the school budget, these employees are technically city employees.
### Expansion in Section 4: School Committee Restrictions
The second amendment voters will consider is in section 4, which governs school committee qualifications, elections, and terms. This amendment essentially serves as reverse language to the changes proposed in section 2.
Under the proposed amendment to section 4, current and former city employees would be banned from holding office on the school committee or City Council for at least one year after their employment has ended. Like section 2, this proposal defines city employment as including positions within the city’s School, Water, Sewer, Police, Fire, Public Works, and Recreation departments; the Calais Free Library; and the city administration.
The amendment also bans current and former school committee members from city employment for at least one year following their service.
### Volunteering and Other Clarifications
When asked if a former school committee member or city councilor could volunteer within a year of leaving office, Ellis clarified that volunteering at places like the library would be permitted. This is because such roles would not be considered “compensated” employment under the proposed amendments.
Ellis emphasized that these precise definitions would “tighten things up in our charter that might be misinterpreted.” The primary goal is “to define a lot of the things that could become a conflict” and “avoid putting anyone [employees and public officials] in a bad situation.”
The proposed language will also assist clerks in verifying nomination papers by allowing them to accurately check employment and elected service dates and roles to confirm a candidate’s eligibility. Similarly, it will help the city’s human resources staff determine when former school committee members or City Council members become eligible for city employment.
### Final Thoughts
“The charter is an ironclad document that has served the city well for many, many years,” Ellis said. The proposed amendments are intended solely to clarify the definitions of “employment” and “employee” moving forward.
For those interested, the full city charter is available to read in its entirety.
### Voting Information
Voting is scheduled for Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Calais Recreation Department, located at 11 Academy Street.
Be sure to participate and make your voice heard on these important amendments!
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/03/down-east/downeast-government/calais-maine-tuesday-vote-charter-amendments/
