Fillmore Council appoints Gilson as new clerk-treasurer

Gilson

FILLMORE -- Following the resignation of former town Clerk-Treasurer Paul Alleyn in September, the Fillmore Town Council has a new man in the clerk-treasurer's seat.

The council unanimously approved Tom Gilson to the position Thursday evening during its monthly meeting. Gilson was selected after the council requested applications last month.

"I worked him today and I'm satisfied with what he's doing," council president Alan Jones said in recommending Gilson.

Gilson said he had considered applying before Alleyn was appointed back in May. When the job opened for a second time in less than six months, Gilson gave it a shot.

"I'd looked at it earlier, months ago, before Paul took it," Gilson said. "As soon as that fell apart, I was interested."

The "falling apart" Gilson referred to involved widespread complaints from council members and citizens about Alleyn's job performance and attendance record.

Following a plethora of complaints during the August meeting -- at which Alleyn was absent -- the clerk submitted his resignation before the following meeting.

Gilson comes to his new position as a retiree with a background in logistics. He retired from the U.S. Army as a master sergeant after 20 years. He parlayed his experience in Army logistics into a career in warehousing.

The Pennsylvania native is also a graduate of Lock Haven University with a degree in education.

He has lived in Fillmore for four-and-a-half years with his wife Nancy, a native of Lafayette.

Gilson's appointment clouds the picture for the Nov. 3 town election, as he had been running unopposed for the Ward 2 council seat.

Because no one is running for clerk-treasurer, Gilson will automatically retain his new appointment.

For Ward 2, the other two council members will select a third member after they take office on Jan. 1. The new member will replace Jones, who is not seeking re-election.

In Ward 1, incumbent Curt Leonard is running against Alleyn, while in Ward 3, Robin Duncan is unopposed to replace Meredith Trusty.

In other business:

* Jones and Town Marshal Darrell Bunten are putting together a list of traffic signs the town needs, including street signs and speed limit signs for the school zone.

* The council approved renewal of three tax abatements at Liberty Industries.

* A state audit of the town is ongoing. The council is awaiting the total costs of the audit to see if there will be money remaining to repave Putnam Street.