Editor,

At the Standish Council Meeting on Nov. 14 Councilor Margaret Spencer requested Council Order 168-06. She, Councilor Larry Simpson, and newly appointed Councilor Edwards are all members of a minor subcommittee to have a Community Center constructed. Earlier in the meeting Linda Brooks gave a presentation of recreational programs in town. From pictures she presented, it appeared of the 30-odd programs they did not appear to be well attended. None of the surveys I am aware of taken by either the Comprehensive Plan or the Community Center Committee generated a real interest in the project.

You may recall a referendum question this June for the purchase of land to be used for this project passed by a very small margin. Purchase price for this land was $325,000 and the funds were generated by the Council selling taxpayers’ assets. Then the funds were dedicated by council vote for this purchase without regard for taxpayers input. As it turns out the, council in its haste to spend our money did not investigate to see if the property was useable for the purpose. Now, council wants to spend another $70,000 obtained from sales of taxpayer assets to get the funds to hire an architect for conceptual design services. The architect in his presentation indicated the building would cost $7-8 million and this does not include possibly another $200,000 for needed equipment and operational cost of $300,000 per year. This would increase taxes on a $200,000 house about an additional $600-700 for the taxpayer.

This is happening because our council believes they know better than taxpayers what they want and need. They will be spending close to $400,000 of our taxes before even asking by referendum if we even want a Community Center and are willing to pay more taxes for it.

I watched the tape of the meeting. Here’s what I saw happen: Late in the evening last Tuesday, Councilor Spencer’s order was being considered for discussion and vote. Councilor Stack noticed there were language issues in the proposal and the contract amount is over the $75,000 spending limit requiring referendum (Thank goodness for Councilor Stack). After some further discussion Christy was thinking about tabling the order, a motion by Councilor Biegel was made and seconded. Linda Brooks rushed to the Council podium and requested the Order be tabled to later in the meeting. With a nod toward the councilors Christy granted her request. The Council continued with the agenda, Brooks and her architect scurried off to rewrite the documents for the order, after the attempt to misrepresent the total amount of the contract proposal was pointed out. The Council continued with the agenda. Brooks returned with a new proposal and figures for the Council and distributed a copy to each councilor.

Taxpayers who stayed until after 11 p.m. to have their voices heard apparently were not privy to a copy of the newly revised backroom proposal. After review of the revised documents there are more questions and a motion to move the order forwarded by Simpson which passed 4-3 with Edwards’ vote determining the outcome. There was more discussion and Councilor Christy called for a vote on the revised proposal. Councilors Simpson, Spencer, Christy voted yes, Councilor Edwards after being prodded by Christy voted yes. No surprises here. Councilor Pomerleau recognizing how the vote will turn out, voted “yes” in his quest to reconsider his vote at the next Council meeting and bring the order back on the table. Councilors Stack and Biegle vote no for a vote of 5-2 passing the $70,000 order.

The council had about 15 minutes to consider the rewritten order before the vote was called for, to spend our $70,000. Three of the councilors voting yes were members of the ad hoc Community Center Committee (guess how they are voting). I would encourage Standish Taxpayers to demand a referendum vote on this several million dollar expenditure before any funds are expended. Contact your Councilor with your questions. Your vote is the deciding factor in where and how your taxes are spent, not the Councils’.

William Orr

Standish