Treasurer, new probate judge sworn in

FARMINGTON – The county’s Treasurer and its first new Judge of Probate in 36 years was sworn in Tuesday, at a ceremony held at the Franklin County Courthouse.

Treasurer Pamela Prodan was reelected to her position in November, having previously completed her first four-year term from 2014 to 2018. A Wilton resident, Prodan has previously worked as an attorney and owned a graphic arts business. She also has volunteered for the Foothills Land Conservancy, which owns a 238-acre parcel of conservation land on Wilson Lake.

Newly-elected Judge of Probate Margot Joly is the first woman to hold her position in Franklin County’s history. Judge Richard Morton, who chose not to run after holding the position for 36 years, was in attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony.

Paul Mills, a local attorney and a Dedimus Justice, performed the swearing-in ceremonies for both Prodan and Joly.

“This is the people’s judge in many ways,” Mills said of the probate judge position, noting it was the only type of judgeship filled via election in the state of Maine.

Joly, who worked as both an Assistant Attorney General and Assistant District Attorney, as well as a private lawyer, lives in Weld. She took time to thank friends and family that attended Tuesday’s ceremony.

“If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be here,” Joly said.