OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Town Manager Mark Pearson has asked that a meeting to discuss his contract on Wednesday be open to the public.

On Friday, Town Council Chairwoman Sharri MacDonald called an executive session meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the continuation or termination of Pearson’s contract, with possible action to follow.

In an email circulating around town, Pearson has asked the town council that the meeting be open to the public, citing state law that states that any person being charged or investigated may request the investigation or hearing of charges and complaints against them be conducted in open session.

Pearson has requested that the town auditor, human resource director, interim finance director, accounts payable clerk and town finance director be present at the meeting.

Pearson also requested the meeting be video taped to provide citizens “open and free access” to their local government.

Pearson was hired in February, and in August, his contract was renewed for two years. His current salary is about $96,600.

Town Councilor Michael Coleman said he received a voicemail Friday from MacDonald that she and three other councilors have requested the resignation of the town manager. Coleman said the town manager’s resignation was never discussed at any town council meeting.

“It just doesn’t pass the smell test,” he said.

Coleman said he doesn’t believe anything that Pearson has done would warrant his termination and said Pearson’s been “doing the right thing.”

He said Pearson gave the police department the “green light” to move forward with a special task force regarding illegal drugs; has saved the town money by discovering the town was paying insurance for vehicles it no longer owned; has made sure the town funds are more secure; was able to get $91,000 in insurance money in addition to the $50,000 the library received in relation to the embezzlement there; and is working to address delinquent taxes. As well, when Pearson came on board, he addressed IRS issues that occurred prior to his employment.

MacDonald noted that the agenda for Wednesday night’s meeting is about “continuation or termination of the Town Manager’s contract” and said no decision has been made whether to terminate Pearson.

“I want to assure the citizens of Old Orchard Beach that there has been nothing done behind the scenes,” she said.

MacDonald said councilors have spoken to her with concerns about the town manager, and Wednesday night’s meeting where the council will sit together and discuss these concerns is the first step in the process.

She said she would be following the same process, no matter who was town manager.

“It’s not about me, it’s about doing what’s right for Old Orchard Beach,” she said.

MacDonald did not support Pearson’s contract renewal in August.

MacDonald said the town had received an audit report that’s “pretty bad.” She said after speaking with the town attorney, she spoke to Pearson on Friday and gave him the option to resign, in light of consequences that may be taken by the council.

MacDonald said the council will decide Wednesday whether to have a public session.

Resident Pat Brown said since Pearson came on board, the town has been going in a “progressive, positive path” siting the police undercover task force.

She noted Pearson’s request for transparency and said that shows that he is someone who has nothing to hide. Brown said that Pearson was only in office for four of the 12 months the audit report covered. She said Pearson has implemented solutions for some of the problems and the town is better off today than it was a year ago.

Pearson did not respond to calls by press time.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or [email protected].