UPDATE: Former town treasurer to step down

Wendy Dowaliby (Courtesy photo)

LEBANON - The Lebanon Voice has learned that the town’s former treasurer, Wendy Dowaliby, who was hired a year ago, has been the town's finance director since December when Christine Torno, the town's Excise Tax Collector, took over the treasuer's duties because Dowaliby cannot function in the post because she doesn't live in Maine.

Dowaliby has since decided to leave the employ of the town. Her last day is Friday, according to Selectmen Chairman Robert Frizzell, who added the decision was completely hers.

Meanwhile, at 8:24 a.m. today, a bulletin from the town’s email service announced an opening for the position of treasurer, so it's expected Torno will step down from her current position of treasurer when a new treasurer is hired.

Torno, the town’s Excise Tax collector, had been filling in at the position since December after town officials realized Dowaliby was unable to perform her treasurer’s duties since she was a New Hampshire resident.

Dowaliby had taken over for former treasure Cindy Arroyo, who resigned after discovering her name was forged on a real estate document by a fellow town hall employee and improperly notarized by another two years ago.

She was awarded a settlement in connection with the case last fall from the Maine Worker’s Compensation Board. 

One town employee was suspended for a short time in connection with the case.

Arroyo resigned her position on Feb. 10 of last year citing health concerns due to stress resulting from the case.

The town’s new help wanted ad states any applicants must live in Maine.