POWNAL — About 30 percent of Pownal residents voted Tuesday to repeal a previous decision to join Regional School Unit 5 with Freeport and Durham.

In a citizen initiative that has no legal binding, 342 residents voted to repeal the Nov. 4, 2008, vote to create the RSU, and 64 residents voted against the petition. There are about 1,250 registered voters in Pownal.

Carol Cyr, a School Administrative District 62 board member and creator of the citizen petition, said she felt the vote was an overwhelming indication of the residents’ opinion of school consolidation.

“We have been told repeatedly that this vote means nothing legally, but it is solidarity vote, a protest vote,” she said. “I am pleased so many people felt strongly enough to come out to voice their opinion.”

Under state law, there is no provision to undo an approved RSU. New school districts must be operational by July 1.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net.

The percentage of voters mentioned in this story was corrected on June 10.