One week after three Paris selectmen voted to place Highway Director and Road Commissioner James Hutchinson on paid administrative leave, he resigned. His resignation, dated October 30 and effective immediately, cited the circumstances surrounding an issue involving the Select Board, road engineer, and Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as his reason for stepping down.
The Maine DEP had issued an undated letter to the town of Paris referencing meetings between the state agency and town officials on August 20 and September 24. The letter served as a recap of a site visit to newly paved Christian Ridge and Stock Farm roads, both of which experienced erosion after the roadwork was completed.
DEP’s letter summarized its inspection of the roads and set an October 20 deadline for town officials to contact the agency’s stormwater engineer and training coordinator. In response, the selectmen called a special meeting on October 20. Following an executive session during this meeting, Hutchinson was placed on administrative leave.
At the same meeting, the board appointed Town Manager Natalie Andrews as interim road commissioner and scheduled an executive session hearing for Hutchinson on October 30. However, instead of attending the hearing, Hutchinson submitted his resignation letter that day.
The Select Board also voted to permanently add road commissioner duties to Andrews’ responsibilities. Meanwhile, Highway Foreman Jesse Rowell is managing department operations on an interim basis.
The town of Paris posted the open highway director position on its website on November 5.
Town Manager Andrews told the Advertiser Democrat that she is consulting with DEP, road engineers, and former town road commissioners to coordinate solutions. These efforts will further impact Paris’ already tightly stretched budget.
https://www.sunjournal.com/2025/11/07/following-suspension-paris-highway-director-resigns/
