YORK COUNTY — Longtime York County Treasurer Frank Wood said he won’t be seeking re-election to a third four-year term in the part-time position.

Wood, a principal in the antiquarian bookstore DeWolfe & Wood, a former state legislator,  former county commissioner and a former chief financial officer for the Maine Attorney General’s Office, said he travels a good deal with the book business.

“It’s time,” said Wood, a Democrat, who has been the county treasurer since 2008. Wood’s term expires Dec. 31. 

As of late Wednesday, no one had registered with the Maine Ethics Commission indicating a run for the post in the June primary.

It is unclear whether a pay scale established by county commissioners for newly elected officials will play a role in any potential candidate’s decision to run. The pay scale, which took effect Jan. 1, 2015, specifies a maximum salary for a new elected treasurer at $500 annually.

The pay scale, which also set salaries for county commissioners, the commission chairman, sheriff, deeds and probate registers and the judge of probate, does not apply to incumbents who are re-elected.

Wood, who was appointed to fill the position when it became vacant due to a resignation in 2008, and who has been re-elected twice since, receives a $7,000 salary for the part-time position. 

While York County employs a full-time finance director, there are certain documents that can only be signed by the treasurer, an office outlined in Maine statutes. The treasurer must be bonded, reviews payment of bills and payroll (called warrants) and authorizes investments, among other tasks.

It is the treasurer’s name that appears on county paychecks, although Wood no longer signs each one individually. He worked with county officials in the aftermath of a 2007 financial issue, took part in the interviews for the finance director position and signed tax anticipation notes in the days when the county used them.

County Commission Chairwoman Sallie Chandler said the board voted in 2014 for the $500 salary because most of the work involved falls on the finance director, though she acknowledged the treasurer’s post comes with responsibility.

Chandler said she was unaware Wood had decided against seeking another term.

Richard Dutremble, the commission vice chairman, pointed out that the pay scale allows the commissioner’s board to consider setting a salary above the ceiling to recognize accomplishments, expertise in management or overall experience. 

State statutes do allow for counties to appoint a treasurer, but that requires a positive vote in a countywide referendum. Dutremble and Chandler said that has not been discussed.

Years ago, commissioners had contemplated creating a county charter, but there was little support for the measure.

Maine statutes say neither the attorney general, the district attorney, sheriff of the county, sheriff’s deputies or clerk of courts can be county treasurer.

The statutes point out that if there is a vacancy in the office of treasurer because of death, resignation, permanent incapacity or any other reason, the governor may appoint a suitable resident of the county to serve as treasurer.

Party candidates running for the office must collect 150 signatures of registered county voters and submit nomination petitions to the Secretary of State’s Office by March 15 in advance of the June 12 primary. Non-party candidates must collect 300 signatures of registered county voters and have their nomination petitions to the Secretary of State’s Office by June 1 for the November election.

“I assume somebody is going to run,” said Chandler.

Wood, for his part, said he believes whoever is treasurer when his term expires should be outside the county system, as a safeguard.

“I think it’s healthy,” he said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.