By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — The often-divided city council will have another decision to make next month, the appointment of an interim clerk after Mary Ann Rilley submitted notification of retirement plans last week.
Rilley began serving as city clerk in August 2003, and has served as council chair, member of the Solid Waste and Risk Management committees and on the city’s Recreation Commission.
In a letter dated June 20, Rilley advised Deputy City Clerk Sage Pare’ of her pending retirement, effective July 1, and that her final day at work will be Friday.
Mayor Jeffrey Lamarand said city officials are expected to appoint a temporary clerk during their next meeting, who will serve until the city’s next regular election in 2013. Lamarand declined to comment on Rilley’s decision.
“I was aware she was thinking it through,” Lamarand said. “It’s a personal decision. Obviously, we will try to figure out what exactly council wants to do.”
The city council is required by charter to appoint a replacement clerk.
Unlike last year’s situation when Treasurer Wayne Avery retired, Lamarand said that the clerk’s office is currently staffed with a deputy, Pare’, who could fill the vacancy without requiring extensive training. The clerk’s office was prepared to lose one staff member when the new budget year begins in July, and Lamarand said the opportunity exists to avoid a layoff.