Will it be like a trial, or partly like one? And what about lawyers? Those questions and others emerged June 1 as Alna selectmen and fellow residents readied for a June 8 hearing on resident Ralph Hilton’s ethics complaint against First Selectman Ed Pentaleri.

At the start of the June 1 discussion of ground rules, Second Steve Graham said the June 8 matter would be an evidentiary hearing, conducted by Third Selectman Coreysha Stone and him, to see if Pentaleri violated any of the policy sections Hilton claims; Hilton and Pentaleri will present their sides, including calling of any witnesses and offering other evidence; then, Stone and Graham will “discuss the matter openly and indicate what we believe ... our preliminary findings would be and what our disposition would be, based upon that evidence,” Graham continued. 

He said the two will then preliminarily determine if a violation occurred and if a censure applies, based on the policy; members of the public will then each have three minutes to address Stone and Graham, the hearing will close, and the two will talk further and consider a possible disposition, he said.

A censure, if any, might be a reprimand alone or with an action such as citing board matters Pentaleri would need to recuse himself from, according to Stone’s and Graham’s discussion with each other and rows of residents in the town office; the meeting was also on Zoom.

Pentaleri has called the complaint an attempt to force his recusal from the board’s land use enforcement involving Jeff Spinney’s boat ramp. The complaint brings up the ramp and the land use enforcement against it, and accuses Pentaleri of “allowing his personal opinion (to) affect his actions instead of fulfilling his duty as a selectman, and looking out for the best interest of the town.”

June 1, Spinney likened the June 8 hearing to a court proceeding, with Hilton as plaintiff. Spinney asked if, after Hilton and Pentaleri have given their sides, Hilton can rebut Pentaleri’s.

It is not a trial, Graham said. “We’re not going to be applying rules of evidence ... and I’m not about to try to sit as ... a full-blown judge ...” 

Hilton asked if he could save part of his 30 minutes for a rebuttal. Graham supported letting both Hilton and Pentaleri break up their time as each chooses, but he would still cap each at the 30 minutes. He and Stone upped it to 40 minutes after Pentaleri voiced concern for both Hilton and him having enough time versus an “arbitrary” limit. Pentaleri said he did not want the hearing to last until 4 a.m., but he also did not want anyone to think he did not respond fully to the six-page complaint.

Stone suggested people be able to consult lawyers, but that the lawyers not be given the floor.

“They’re not part of this community, and this feels irrelevant, in some way,” she said. 

The hearing is at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 8 at the town office and over Zoom, at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88646971966

In other business, the code enforcement officer is looking into recent work at Pinkham Pond, Graham responded when resident Beth Whitney asked about “what looks like a boat ramp” there. Pentaleri expected the topic will be on the board’s June 15 agenda.

Stone noted May was mental health awareness month, but anytime is a time “to support each other, to share resources to help people feel better emotionally, to create and identify safe spaces for well-being, and to remove stigma related to mental health challenges, and really any challenge that impacts mood, thinking and behavior.” A close childhood friend, a veteran of the Marines, recently died by suicide “and whether you’re someone who’s served this country or not, and regardless of age and experience, mental health challenges exist for all of us in various ways, especially young people post-pandemic,” she said.

Stone then said if someone is talking, texting, writing, or otherwise threatening to kill themselves, or is looking for ways to carry out a suicide plan, “Please do not leave that person alone. Take immediate action to call the Maine crisis hotline at 1-888-568-1112.” She suggested people program the number into their cell phones. “You never really know when you will be in a moment when a loved one needs help,” Stone added.

Bidders Pentaleri read off for Hollywood Boulevard’s ditching, grading and culvert replacement were Dylan Peaslee of Jefferson, $84,014; Sam Snow of Pittston, $53,616; and S.R. Griffin Construction, Edgecomb, $123,600. The board took no action.