Outrageous? Pulling a fast one? Showing contempt for voters?

Those were pretty strong words some of the Wiscasset selectmen were using last week to describe the school department’s plan to enter into an energy contract Thursday night, Dec. 15. Although energy savings would go a long way toward offsetting costs, it is a big ticket item, so it’s neither surprising nor wrong that the selectmen would prefer the proposal face a town vote.

But they could have been more respectful in calling for one. Based on the discussion, part of their frustration appeared to be they didn’t see the school committee vote coming. That was surprising. Throughout the year, the committee and school department administration have been working toward the contract, in workshops, meetings and votes, all of them open to the public, with plenty of available seating, and reported on in print and online. Scintillating, no, but there it was.

Superintendent of Schools Heather Wilmot, who’d consulted state statutes and the department’s law firm in the project’s planning, was verbally raked over the coals Dec. 6. Given Wilmot’s and the school department’s open approach to the effort, month after month, if anyone was trying to pull a fast one, that was an interesting way to go about it.

Being respectful is basic to public service. Some on the board fell short in the discussion. Wilmot and the department deserved better.