MINOT — Selectmen on Monday signed an agreement to join other Androscoggin County towns in taking legal action against county commissioners over the county charter.
Emily Darby, Minot’s representative on the county Budget Committee, called the board’s attention to a series of the “whereas” clauses in the resolve, which explains how it happened that commissioners have the ultimate power to approve the budget, with the Budget Committee’s role being advisory only.
The resolve notes that the official version of the county charter, as written by the Charter Commission, clearly indicated that the Budget Committee had the authority to change line items with a supermajority vote of 11 of its members.
The resolve notes that subsequent to the voter approval of the charter, the commissioners requested the Legislature to make certain “non-substantive” changes to the voter-approved charter to address practical problems in implementing the new charter.
One of the changes requested — to amend the charter to transform the Budget Committee into an advisory body only — was seen as a substantive change.
Selectmen believed that the commissioners’ action went directly against the will of the voters.
“They can’t change what we approved in a vote,” Selectman Dan Gilpatric said. “What we need is for everybody to stand up and say that this isn’t right.”
“The voters need to be honored and respected,” Darby said. “The government has to have checks and balances.”
Selectman Eda Tripp questioned the notion that the commissioners thought it proper that they set their own salaries and benefits.
“We surely can’t approve our own stipends, little though they be,” Tripp said.
The resolve and the agreement to pursue legal action, if it comes to that, is being presented to the governing boards of all 14 county towns and, according to Darby, it seems to have strong support.
“I can’t remember any time when all 14 towns have agreed on anything, but this is one,” Darby said. “It’s not really about the money, it’s about how government should be run.”
The board designated Tripp and Selectman Lisa Cesare to serve as town representatives at any meetings of the communities participating in this effort.
Androscoggin County towns have been asked to decide whether to join the resolve to challenge the county commissioners’ actions by the end of this week.
Lewiston City Administrator Ed Barrett is expected to address commissioners at their next meeting.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
