PHILLIPS — One Phillips resident said he wanted to put to rest a rumor that has circulated around town and beyond without any credible sources.
John Foss, who recently volunteered to serve on the RSU 58 school board, told selectmen and the town manager Tuesday night about his frustrations with people who spread half-truths and outright falsehoods without having any facts.
He said he spoke recently with a woman who said she heard that the school board had decided to close Mt. Abram High School. Since he had been at that board meeting, he knew that information was incorrect.
“They never did that, but this is what happens,” he said. “It’s absolutely amazing what you hear.”
People spread information through the rumor mill and Facebook, he added.
Foss also wanted to discuss a statement made by former Selectman Lynn White.
“I’m just going to ask the question and put it to rest,” Foss said. “Are there any known revenue issues in the town of Phillips that could ultimately cause the town to go bankrupt?”
Town Manager Elaine Hubbard said that no such issues exist.
“I would think you would know,” Hubbard told him.
Selectman Ray Gaudette shared a similar experience two years ago in a conversation with someone he met in southern Maine. The man said he was from Strong and had heard the town of Phillips had gone bankrupt.
“I guess word does get around,” Gaudette said, drawing laughter from the audience and selectmen.
Selectman Andy Phillips asked audience members and other selectmen to consider attending the 6:30 p.m. meeting Thursday, Sept. 26, at Mt. Abram High School.
“They’re trying to make decisions on what’s going to happen to the school system, and which buildings are going to shut down, if any,” Phillips said. “If you’ve got any interest in it at all, you want to go to that meeting.”
In other news, Planning Board member Ken Ziglar presented selectmen with arguments against approving any future gravel pits in the area.
Several residents of Reeds Mill Road in Phillips and Madrid Township had protested the Land Use Planning Commission’s permit approval of a gravel pit in Madrid Township.
Ziglar said approving more gravel pits wouldn’t benefit the town’s economy.
“Existing Reeds Mills pits have aggregate reserves of 30 to 40 million cubic yards,” he said. “There’s enough to last decades.”
He said the pits do not create jobs, and the truck traffic creates the potential for long-term road damage.
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