DRESDEN, Maine (AP) — Officials in a Maine town say they will ask residents to end the practice of electing town office workers amid reports of administrative problems.

Selectwoman Trudy Foss said Tuesday that a letter will be mailed to all Dresden residents informing them of criticisms of the Town Office and urging them to support switching the positions from elective to appointive. The Kennebec Journal reports that Town Clerk and Treasurer Shirley Storkson said she was unaware of the mailer and declined further comment.

Foss says the catalyst for the decision was misplaced paperwork leading to a four-year-long deadlock for a property owner seeking a tax incentive. Selectman Alan Moeller says that problem does not reflect on the current Town Office staff, as it was before their election.