Discussion became quite heated as the Wiscasset selectmen discussed the selection of a board member to serve on a committee to explore withdrawal from RSU 12.

During the public comment section of the June 19 meeting, Wiscasset Educational Research Panel member Sharon Nichols told the board that Selectmen Judy Colby and Ed Polewarczyk should recuse themselves from voting on school district matters and from serving on the withdrawal committee.

Nichols pointed out that Colby was an employee of the district. Nichols distributed copies of the RSU 12 staff directory to the selectmen along with copies of the Maine Municipal Association manual, which that states, "The legal concept of conflict of interest is that it is limited to interests of a financial nature only."

"A selectman who is employed by RSU 12 has a financial conflict," Nichols said.

In reference to Polewarczyk she pointed out that he had written a letter to the editor saying that he had concluded that Wiscasset property owners would see an accumulative tax increase of approximately 20 percent by the time the town would actually withdraw from the discitrict. Quoting from the MMA manual Nichols said, "The intensity of a municipal officer's bias cannot really be known unless that municipal officer has said and done things that make it clear."

"A board member who has repeatedly demonstrated a prejudicial bias has a conflict of interest," Nichols said.

Wiscasset resident Richard Grondin took to his feet to address the selectmen, strongly expressing his disagreement with Nichols. "If you eliminate Ed from serving on that committee you should eliminate Doug Smith, he is prejudiced against the RSU," Grondin said.

Selectmen William Curtis told both Colby and Polewarczyk they should not even vote on who would go on the committee or serve on the committee.

Colby said she would not serve on the withdrawal committee, but she would do her duty as selectmen in selecting the committee.

Polewarczyk and Curtis exchanged a few words, Polewarczyk telling Curtis that even though he had told the voters they could expect tax increases they still voted to look into withdrawing. "I am proud of them for doing that," he said. Curtis also indicated to Polewarczyk that when he made the presentation on what it could cost the town if they pulled out of the RSU it was not accurate information.

Polewarczyk said he had done the best he could to provide information to the citizens of Wiscasset. "I will not serve on the withdrawal committee, but I will vote on who will serve on it," he told Curtis.

Grondin again took to the podium telling Polewarczyk that he was disappointed in his decision, and that he was the only selectmen that did anything to provide information to the town, and then making another derogatory remark toward Doug Smith.

Newly elected Board Chairman Pam Dunning told Grondin she would not have personal attacks in the meeting. "Leave personalities out of it," she said.
The selectmen did not choose a board member to serve on the withdrawal committee at the June 19 meeting.

Reasons for withdrawal

According to the state's consolidation law, once the petition to withdraw from the district has been approved by the voters, the selectmen must notify the commissioner of education and the chairman of the RSU 12 board of directors stating to the best of their knowledge the reasons the town wants to withdraw.

The list of reasons the selectmen will send to Commissioner Stephen Bowen and Hilary Holm, the chairman of the RSU 12 school board include: decisions made by the RSU 12 board have been contrary to Wiscasset voters; the budget valuation process; the geographics of the RSU; and the lack of local control.

The selectmen will reach out to the citizens for volunteers to serve on the withdrawal committee. The committee will comprise one selectman, a member of the group that presented the petition to withdraw, a citizen of Wiscasset and a member of the RSU 12 school board that represents Wiscasset.

The full Board of Selectmen will interview the volunteers who apply to serve as a citizen.

Other business

The selectmen elected Pam Dunning to serve as chairman and Ed Polewarczyk as vice chairman.

Dunning was nominated by Curtis and Polewarczyk was nominated for vice chairman by new selectman Jefferson Slack.

The selectmen adopted MMA's new General Assistance Ordinance Appendix A, following a quiet public hearing on the issue.

Colby and Slack were appointed by the board as a volunteer screening sub-committee for town committee members.

The selectmen went into executive session to discuss economic development and Point East, and to discuss labor negotiations.