SCARBOROUGH – The Scarborough Town Council has taken a stronger stance to keep Central Maine Power’s so-called “smart meters” out of town until the impact of the wireless device can fully be discussed.

The council voted unanimously Dec. 1 to send a letter to the Maine Public Utilities Commission asking the agency to demand CMP stops the installation in Scarborough until an opt-out provision is instituted.

The vote followed a five-hour public forum held at the Scarborough Municipal Building that was designed to bring citizens and representatives from CMP together to discuss the health, privacy and fire concerns brought up by residents wary of the new devices, which CMP plans to introduce to all of its 620,000 customers by 2012. About 60,000 smart meters, which relay information on electricity use to CMP over a wireless network, have been installed already.

Another public forum focusing on privacy and fire risks is scheduled for Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Scarborough Municipal Building.

A group of residents led by Elisa Boxer-Cook of Scarborough has filed a complaint with the agency regarding the smart meters. The complaint argues that the research surrounding the potential health effects caused by exposure to the kind of radio waves used in the devices is inconclusive, and that residents should be allowed to decide for themselves whether they want the devices installed on their property.

“We respectfully request the Maine Public Utilities Commission strongly consider opening a case for each of the pending complaints so consumers can be assured of the safety and appropriateness of the AMI technology,” said the letter, which was read at the meeting by Councilor Karen D’Andrea. “Additionally, we urge the Commission to require CMP, before installing smart meters in Scarborough, to provide an opt-out provision for residents who choose not to have a wireless meter on their home.”

The power company argues that the devices are safe, with emissions similar to that of a cell phone or cordless phone. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said its research “did not indicate any consistent or convincing evidence to support a concern for health effects” from the smart meters.

John Carroll, public affairs manager for CMP, has said the company does not intend to offer any sort of opt-out. The company, he said, will work with the PUC on an opt-out if the commission mandates it.

The letter indicates CMP has plans to begin installing meters in Scarborough at the end of the month.

“This is not a local issue. This is a worldwide issue,” said Councilor Mike Wood. “Little old Scarborough up here in the northeast has the attention of people worldwide, not because we are looking for the attention, but because we feel this subject is very important.”

This letter to the PUC, he said, is a follow-up to the resolution the council passed on Oct. 20 and the public forum on Nov. 29.

“It is the duty of the council to protect the health, safety and well-being of the residents in Scarborough,” Wood said.