CAMDEN — The Camden Select Board will convene July 7 for a regularly scheduled meeting, with an agenda item that includes a memorandum of employment agreement of Town Manager Audra Caler until Dec. 31.

The memorandum is included in the July 7 meeting packet. It says: "Ms. Caler shall be compensated, with all existing benefits, subject to all normal and usual withholdings, at the same present rate of pay through Dec. 31, 2026...."

It continues to say that the parties acknowledge for clarity and the historical record, "that there are no existing corrections, disciplinary warnings or actions, letters of reprimand, or recordings within Ms. Caler's official Personnel file relating to her employment with the Town of Camden. To date, Ms. Caler has performed her duties and responsibilities in an exemplary manner. The separation of employment as of Dec. 31 2026 is a mutual decision of the parties signing below."

A clause in the agreement is a gag order on comments that could be construed as derogatory on various parties for six years after Dec. 31.

"Audra Caler and the Town of Camden, for itself and on behalf of its elected officers, and employees, with regard to Audra Caler and her employment with the Town of Camden and her service to the Town of Camden, expressly acknowledge, agree, and covenant that they will not make any statements, comments, or communications that constitute disparagement of one another or that many be considered to be derogatory or detrimental to the good name or business reputation of one another."

Additionally, after Dec. 31, Caler will be paid for personal, vacation and sick time, "in the collective total amount of 45 days of her salary (calculated ona 40-hour work week)...."

In the interim to Dec. 31, Camden is to initiate the search for a new town manager.

The agreement was signed June 26 by Audra Caler and Chris Nolan, Chair of the Camden Select Board.

Prior to the June 9 annual Town Meeting, the Select Board discussed when to schedule the conversation about renewal of the Town Manager's contract, which expired June 30. Board members decided to wait until after June Town Meeting Select Board elections to take up the contract conversation. There was no further mention of that action.

On June 9, Camden reelected Chris Nolan to the Select Board, as well as Bobbi Oxton Blake for her first three-year term to the board. They joined board members Susan Dorr, Chrisso Rheault and Ken Gross.

The Select Board held an executive session at the June 16 meeting and likewise defined it as a personnel matter. The board then held a special meeting June 23 with an agenda that addressed several items, including a discussion about the interview process for a new Camden Police Chief, and the possible appointment of a municipal employee to, "to perform the duties of the Manager until their return pursuant to Section 3.02 of the Town Charter."

The agenda also included two executive sessions, one concerning a personnel matter, the other, to talk with the town attorney.

Town Manager Audra Caler said in her June  16 Manager's Report that she was on medical leave, and that remained the case as of July 1.

On June 23,  the Camden Select Board confirmed Camden Finance Director Jodi Hanson to perform town manager duties. Attorney Bill Kelly said Finance Director Jodi Hanson was identified by Town Manager Audra Caler as the person to whom she has delegated her duties.

"That does not mean that Jodi is now the interim manager, because the manager does not have the right appoint the manager," said Kelly. "The manager has rthe right under the charter to delegate her duties when she is unavailable."

There has been no public comment by any of the Select Board members or Caler as to why she and the Town of Camden are parting ways. There was no indication prior to the June 9 Town Meeting that Caler was planning on leaving her Town Manager post.

Caler was hired June 6, 2017 by the then Camden Select Board, chaired by John French.

In other town business, the Select Board is to take up the matter of establishing a, "Temporary Committee for Independent Financial Review of the Paid Parking Program"

Town of Camden DRAFT – FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL 2026

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to provide the Select Board and the public with a clear, independent, and transparent financial review of the Town of Camden’s paid parking program.

The review will:

•Evaluate costs, revenues, and financial structure of the program

•Identify capital investment and ongoing obligations

•Assess operating, enforcement, vendor, and indirect costs

•Present a clear financial picture of the program’s current status

The Committee’s role is advisory and fact-finding only.

2. Scope of Work

The Committee shall perform a structured financial review consisting of the following

components:

A. Program Structure and Decision Framework

Review the overall design and structure of the program, including key decisions that define how the program operates (rates, technology, enforcement model, and implementation approach).

B. Capital Investment Review

Identify and evaluate all capital costs, including equipment, infrastructure, implementation costs, financing arrangements, amounts paid, and remaining obligations.

C. Recurring Expense Review

Assess all ongoing operational expenses, including software, vendor services, maintenance, payment processing, communications, and seasonal costs.

D. Indirect Expense Review

Estimate internal Town support costs, including staff time across departments (administration, finance, police, public works, IT), using a documented and reasonable allocation method.

E. Direct Enforcement Expense Review

Review direct enforcement costs, including staffing, wages, overtime, equipment, vehicles, citation processing, and enforcement-related activities.

F. Licensing, Vendor, and Fee Review

Page 1 of 3Temporary Committee for Independent Financial Review of the Paid Parking Program

Town of Camden

DRAFT – FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL 2026

Evaluate vendor contracts and fee structures, including software, payment platforms, transaction fees, licensing terms, escalation clauses, and ownership of systems or data.

G. Revenue Review

Analyze all program revenues, including parking fees, mobile payments, permits, citations, and net vs. gross revenue, including trends and comparison to available projections.

3. Deliverables

The Committee shall provide a written report to the Select Board no later than October 29, 2026, unless otherwise directed. The report shall include:

•Executive summary

•Capital investment and obligations

•Recurring, enforcement, and indirect expenses

•Vendor and fee structures

•Revenue summary

•Net financial position of the program

•Comparison of actual results to projections (if available)

•Key findings and unresolved questions

•Supporting documentation and appendices

The report shall clearly distinguish between:

•Actual vs. estimated costs

•Obligated vs. future costs

•Gross vs. net revenue

4. Standards for Review

The Committee shall conduct its work in a manner that is:

•Independent

•Fact-based

•Transparent and reproducible

•Clear and understandable to the public

•Explicit when using estimates or incomplete data

•Focused on financial analysis, not policy advocacy

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Town of Camden

DRAFT – FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL 5. Public Communication

The Committee’s work shall promote clarity and transparency for the public.

The final report should use plain language, clear summaries, and tables 2026

The Committee may recommend publication of:

•Final report

•Financial summaries

•Supporting documentation for the Town website for public access