New vote set on Westport Island withdrawal issue
Westport Island voters will get a chance, after all, to drop a possible pullout from Regional School Unit 12.
A referendum resulting from a citizens’ petition is set for June 10, town officials said.
The town’s withdrawal committee had planned to seek a town vote on whether or not to discontinue the process; but committee members were unable to agree on the question’s wording, Committee Chairman Gerald Bodmer has said.
Selectmen received the 51-signature petition on April 28, Town Clerk Gaye Wagner said.
The board on May 5 set a May 29 hearing on the referendum question, First Selectman George Richardson said. The hearing at the old town hall, 1217 Main Road, starts at 7 p.m.
The June 10 vote will also take place at the old town hall. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wagner said.
She said the question that goes to voters will read: “Shall the Westport Island School Withdrawal Committee formally terminate the Sheepscot Valley RSU 12 withdrawal process before submitting the question to the electorate for a final vote?”
That final town vote on withdrawal has been eyed for November.
Meanwhile, the proposed withdrawal plan is awaiting approval from the school district’s board, possibly at its June 19 meeting, District Superintendent Howard Tuttle said.
Westport Island created the withdrawal committee in 2012, before changes to the district’s cost-sharing formula started easing the town’s tab.
Tuttle said he believes Westport Island and the district will both be best off if the town stays in the district.
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