GORHAM – The Gorham Town Council, questioned publicly Tuesday by a resident who lost a volunteer job with the town, remained tight-lipped on the reasons.

Jim Means spoke to the council from the public podium, hoping to get answers as to why he was dumped last month after serving 12 years as a member of the Gorham Economic Development Corp., an organization that promotes business in town.

“It’s obvious I was railroaded,” Means said Wednesday. “The council is acting irresponsibly.”

Brenda Caldwell, council chairwoman, ruled that Means could ask questions during Tuesday’s public comment period, but said councilors would not have to answer. Town Councilor John Pressey said Means was intending a lawsuit and answering questions without law counsel would be a mistake.

Means, a Gorham resident for 17 years, said he resented the implication about a lawsuit.

“I’m here as a taxpayer,” Means said. “I don’t intend to debate this.”

Last month, the Town Council approved a slate of appointments recommended by its Appointment Committee to several town boards. The committee did not back Means, who was vice chairman of the Gorham Economic Development Corp.

Means, 62, a retired businessman, has been outspoken about issues. He said in a March School Committee meeting that the School Department was buying its janitorial supplies from a national vendor and that a Gorham concern, Clean-O-Rama, had been shut out from competing for the business.

Last year, he spoke out during a public hearing against a controversial stadium plan proposed by the Town Council. The $3 million project included a stadium with artificial turf. Voters defeated the proposal in a referendum.

Tuesday, Means asked each of the three councilors on the council’s Appointments Committee – Pressey, the chairman, and Matthew Robinson and Suzanne Phillips – about the failure to support him for re-appointment.

Robinson cited legal reasons for declining to answer questions. Pressey, too, declined to answer questions without legal counsel. “I believe you’re preparing to seek a lawsuit,” Pressey said.

Phillips spoke as one member of the Appointments Committee. “I personally made my recommendations for the appointments to various town boards based on resumes, interviews and professionalism in representing the town of Gorham,” she said.

But, Means cited three sources he didn’t name who claimed a town councilor was seeking retribution for not supporting the stadium proposal.

With his term on the development corporation board expiring this year, Means was one of several candidates interviewed for the development corporation board. Tuesday, he faulted the Appointments Committee process.

Means said the interview process only applied to new applicants, and rules of the council had been ignored.

The whole matter has caused a stir.

Gorham resident Bill Goff of Meadowbrook Road told the council he wondered what was going on.

“I’m baffled,” Goff said. “What’s the agenda?”

Robinson said there was no agenda. Robinson also asked Town Manager David Cole for copies of any correspondence referring to retribution.

Another resident, Ken Curtis, 118 South St., read several messages in support of Means. Curtis cited letters from Tom Ellsworth, director of the development corporation; Richard Carter, chairman of the corporation board; Art Handman, a board member; and Town Councilor Matt Mattingly.

Besides an explanation about not being selected for another term, Means said he also wanted to know the qualifications of the two new members who were appointed to the development corporation board, Katherine Garrard and Brian Rancourt.

“I’m sorry you refused to answer my questions,” Means told the council. “I’ll remind voters when your terms are up.”

Means previously said it appeared he was “booted” over the issue he raised concerning Clean-O-Rama’s quest to bid on school custodial supplies.

While still on the board, Means’ efforts had led to a meeting between school officials and owners of Clean-O-Rama. The meeting was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, after the American Journal deadline.

Means said he wanted a win-win situation for the schools, taxpayers and a local company.

“What I don’t want is to be back on GEDC,” Means told the council.

As a development corporation board member, he said was dealing on a confidential basis with a company that was considering a move to Gorham. But, since his dismissal from the board, Means said, the company now wants to go to Westbrook or Windham.

Now, Means said, he is considering a move to form a Gorham taxpayers association as a watchdog group.