HOULTON, Maine — A week after his arrest on domestic violence and felony victim tampering charges, the Houlton town manager was still on the job Thursday night following a special Town Council meeting with the town attorney on his status.
Town Manager Cameron Clark was arrested and jailed last Thursday afternoon by the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office shortly after going on a tour of the downtown with Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
A portion of the council meeting was in executive session with Clark present. The councilors took no public action. Following the meeting, Council Chairperson Jane Torres said that things were “status quo,” and that she would have a written statement on Friday.
Councilor Edward Lake was not present.
Since Clark’s arrest, the council has maintained a neutral stance, citing what they call the personal nature of the alleged crimes. And on Thursday night, the council took no action despite Clark’s felony arrest, a growing public outrage and the urging of the Maine Town, City & County Management Association to place him on administrative leave with pay until the matter is resolved.
“I am writing to express our concern regarding the recent arrest and criminal charges brought against Houlton’s town manager,” said Sandra Fournier, president of the MTCCMA in a letter sent to the council on Sept. 30. “This action is not a presumption of guilt but a prudent step to ensure transparency and reinforce the accountability residents expect from their local government. “
A 24-page police affidavit the Bangor Daily News obtained Monday recounts explicit details of the Sept. 12 incident alleging Clark repeatedly shoved a woman he had invited to his home with both hands backward off his porch and into the bushes.
While she was still on the ground Clark allegedly kept yelling, “Go, get out of here,” according to court documents.
When the victim got home she had a snapchat message from Clark, and she responded by saying that she should have called police, she said in her statement to police.
The victim said that Clark threatened to ruin her and told her she would never get another job in town if she reported it, according to the affidavit.
And when Clark was interviewed by Deputy Benjamin Boutilier he said that he did put both his hands on the victim but they were shoving each other and that his comments regarding his connection to several large banks could have given the impression of intimidation, court documents revealed.
Initially, Houlton police received an anonymous complaint in which the unidentified caller said that the town manager had pushed a woman down the stairs when she confronted him about cheating with a married woman.
On Sept. 23, a week and a half after the alleged incident, Boutilier obtained a search warrant for Clark’s property and the Snapchat contents between Clark and the victim from Maine District Court Judge Carrie Linthicum. Those results were not immediately available in court documents. On Sept. 25, he obtained a warrant for Clark’s arrest on the two counts.
Bail was set at $1,000 cash, and as part of the conditions of his release Clark was ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim. He must report to the Aroostook County Community Corrections Program caseworker daily by phone and once a week in person.
He is under a nightly 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew at his New Limerick home. If town meetings or other municipal business interfere with the curfew, Clark would have to get permission ahead of time to attend, according to the conditions of his release.
Additionally, he must remain employed and is required to tell law enforcement that he is currently under corrections program supervision if he is stopped for any reason. As town manager, Clark currently supervises the chief of police.
His bail can be revoked or additional charges added if he does not comply with the mandated conditions, according to the court.
If convicted on the Class B felony victim tampering charge, Clark could serve up to 10 years in prison and pay a $20,000 fine.
A hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Aroostook County Court in Houlton on Court Street.
