As thunderstorms bashed Alna Wednesday night, July 8, residents on Zoom continued questioning selectmen’s racking up of 10s of thousands of dollars in legal costs over Jeff Spinney’s then dock-ramp proposal; selectmen defended their actions as supporting the planning board through a tough time, and one said what is going on in town is not making sense to people outside Alna.

The selectmen and town attorney Amanda Meader have received “vile” letters like Meader’s colleagues said they have never seen before, Second Selectman Doug Baston said. “The behavior in the town of Alna is the worst that they’ve ever seen ... And I tell you, when this is over, people are going to be judged by how they’ve behaved toward each other, not by who won and who lost. 

“... The people outside the town of Alna are looking at this town with utter astonishment.”

In a referendum July 14, selectmen have sought $50,000 for legal costs. Members said July 8, if it loses, the board and town still have to figure out how to pay the tab. First Selectman Melissa Spinney said, because the board commits taxes this month, if voters reject raising the $50,000, a special town meeting would be needed to approve a second tax bill raising the funds, or to approve which other accounts to take the money from.

During public comment, Tom Aldrich said the size of the funding request troubled him. “The strong public interest in this dock application did not (call for) selectmen to lawyer up.”

Jon Luoma said, the interest in the application “is not an attack on town officials. It is not an attempt to harass town officials or make trouble for the town. This is a matter in which a lot of (residents) have things to say ... It’s perfectly normal, and shows that you need to make more space, not less, for public comment.”

Baston and Third Selectman Greg Shute said they have had Meader helping the planning board, which Shute said has been under “an incredible amount of stress. Everybody is,” as that panel handled Jeff Spinney’s application. “We have a volunteer (planning) board who’s trying to decide upon some complex requirements that they’re bound by.”

Shute refuted some residents’ comments Meader’s services aren’t worth the money. She has only done as he and Baston have asked, and has charged the going rate, he said. “And I can’t imagine not providing this level of support ... from where I sit. I wouldn’t want to be in their seats right now,” he added.

Shute thanked speakers and said he took their comments seriously. If someone doesn’t trust him, they should vote their conscience next March, Shute said.

Also July 8, Selectman Spinney said Alna’s county tax is $121,859; last year’s was $115,548, she said. 

She said United Way has promised a $1,000 donation to the town’s food pantry. “So that’s just wonderful. We have a great balance now, so that’s really helping a lot of folks out.” She added, CLC YMCA-FARMS Kitchen is offering free hot meals Tuesdays and Fridays to people in need. The meals can be delivered, she said.

The community garden at the town office is booming, Spinney said, crediting volunteers’ hard work. “We have so much stuff to share ... there’s cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, peas ...” Contact the town office at alnaclerk@gmail.com if anyone needs anything, or to have the hot meals delivered, she said.

The town office is back to its regular hours and is serving people by appointment only, Spinney said. Call or email Town Clerk Liz Brown. “And if you don’t feel comfortable coming in, you can still (use) the drop box.”

Baston said Tidewater Telecom has strung 17 miles of fiber for high speed internet access, is installing service to about five customers a week and should be about done Sept. 30.

Look for results of Tuesday’s referendum at wiscassetnewspaper.com