Most speakers Wednesday night, June 24 in Alna opposed taxpayers’ footing up to $50,000 in legal costs. They and a few other Zoom public hearing-goers suggested officials work with residents more and use the town attorney less. No one called for a yes vote in the referendum July 14.

Willard Morgan said having a town attorney is reasonable and important. But he said one is not needed for clerical and other tasks that don’t take a lawyer’s skills and pay. “We all have limited resources. And our job is to manage needs with funds.” Morgan also suggested the town try negotiating down its tab.

Former selectman Jonathan Villenueve wondered why selectmen did not tap surplus instead or wait for next March’s annual town meeting to request the funds, as he said the board historically tries to do to get the most voters. Citing state statute, the town announced June 23 questions would not be permitted in the hearing.

In another email, hours before the hearing, the town announced selectmen and the treasurer were preparing an “analysis and summary of how and where and for what purpose the town has incurred legal costs, and our estimate of (future costs) so that citizens will be able to make an informed decision ... It is important for all to understand that a town is required to adequately advise and defend the actions of its largely volunteer local officials,” the email continued. “This professional legal advice and defense ultimately protects us all ...” 

Selectmen have said legal costs this fiscal year that started Feb. 1 have been for a tax anticipation note, former Lincoln County planner Robert Faunce’s help on planning board bylaws; and mostly for town attorney Amanda Meader’s help fielding issues residents have raised with Jeff Spinney’s dock and ramp application.

Several who opposed selectmen’s ballot question have opposed Spinney’s proposal. “Please don’t make all of us pay for Mr. Spinney’s application process,” Mark DesMeules told the hearing. He suggested the applicant pay those legal costs.

Spinney did not speak. In text replies later, he said project opponents’ volumes of information, and issues opponents have had with Meader’s answers, are driving the town’s legal costs and his. “I have a lawyer who also has to review this information.”

Asked by text later how confident he is the referendum will pass, Second Selectman Doug Baston declined comment.

Town Clerk Liz Brown said June 24, absentee ballot requests are up. Besides the referendum, voters have the state primary and Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12’s budget offer to decide. Voting is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m at the fire station. Voters can request absentee ballots at maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl and then the town will send them, Brown said. Or call the town office at 586-5313.