GORHAM – In a prelude to a likely May showdown, a Gorham town councilor and a resident are sparring through an exchange of emails and finger-pointing that stem from drunk-driving cases involving two other councilors.

At issue is whether the town should address what constitutes moral turpitude in a town charter provision that governs the ouster of a councilor.

Town Councilor Matthew Robinson wants moral turpitude defined, but his proposal has riled resident Jim Means, who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 2013.

Robinson confirmed on Tuesday his earlier vow to sponsor a Town Council agenda item for the board’s May meeting to discuss what constitutes moral turpitude. Robinson also wants town voters to decide the issue in a November referendum.

Means opposes Robinson’s action.

“It puts Gorham in a negative light,” Means said on Tuesday, and indicated he’d speak out if Robinson moves the issue forward next month.

“It’s up to him,” Means said.

Robinson on Tuesday said he’s not an “easy guy to intimidate. I’ll stand up to a bully.”

With the matter steaming, Means on Tuesday said a town councilor called asking him to back off, but Means declined to name the councilor. A confrontation between Robinson and Means is shaping up for the Town Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, in Gorham Municipal Center.

Two years ago, the Town Council found that Town Councilor Suzanne Phillips, who pleaded guilty of operating under the influence, did not violate the moral turpitude charter provision. But the issue recently resurfaced after another Gorham town councilor, Benjamin Hartwell, was accused of operating under the influence in March. Police said his court date has been set for May 14.

The town’s charter stipulates that a councilor’s office would become vacant following a conviction involving moral turpitude, but the provision doesn’t offer a definition.

The issue sparked the emails between Means and Robinson.

In an email on April 3 to town councilors, Means said the moral turpitude matter was resolved two years ago, and said Robinson would be “piling on.”

“We should not be going down this road again,” Means wrote.

Means said he’s prepared to speak up in the May meeting, if Robinson raises the issue.

“I will publicly bring up restraining orders, lawsuit alleging fraud, intimidation of councilors trying to perform duties allowed under our charter, etc., if this gets traction at May’s Town Council meeting,” Means wrote in an email to councilors on April 3.

Means on Tuesday clarified his position and that he was not considering legal action. Rather, Means said his point is there’s “a lot of dirty laundry in town.”

Robinson answered Means’ letter with a Facebook post.

“Look at what Jim Means thinks about me being upset with our town officials drinking and driving,” Robinson posted on his Facebook page. “All Gorham voters need to take notice of people running for office, don’t reelect our town drunks or their supporters and also the people that were serving them.”

“That’s a general statement to 17,000 residents of Gorham,” Robinson said on Tuesday.

After Means’ email, Michael Phinney, Town Council chairman, weighed in on the issue.

“There is no clear-cut definition of moral turpitude,” Phinney wrote. “A past council decided they should vote to define it with regards to a specific case. This council may or may not be asked to define it again.”

The American Journal contacted other Gorham councilors for comment this week.

Shonn Moulton, Town Council vice chairman, said the Town Council has to define moral turpitude,s and he hoped the issue would be debated in a professional and civil manner.

“In regards to the exchange of emails between Mr. Means and Councilor Robinson, I find it to be unfortunate,” Moulton said. “Every citizen is entitled to their opinion and should not be chastised for having one. As a councilor, it is our job to have an open mind and to encourage debate about all issues that may arise.”

Town Councilor Bruce Roullard, who said he’s not speaking on behalf of the council, said, “I believe it is in the best interest of the council to come up with a clear definition of moral turpitude so there is no ambiguity, if and when should certain situations arise going forward.”

Speaking as a Gorham citizen, Town Councilor Sherrie Benner believes it’s time to address the matter “and to then move forward.”

Hartwell declined comment; but Phillips had plenty to say.

“In regards to this situation, I feel it is unproductive for the council to have its focus taken away from more important issues during budget season,” Phillips said. “I believe that we are held to a higher standard as town councilors, when it comes to sharing opinions, ideas, and information. I have survived on this council despite personal attacks from councilors for the past two years, and it is unfortunate that it has now happened to a taxpayer.”

Means and Robinson are pointing fingers at one another. Means said Robinson posted his email on Facebook.

“You have misconstrued and made false assumptions about me, making me the subject of public ridicule and shame,” Means said in an email on April 14.

But, Robinson redirected Means’ words, firing the quote back at Means.

“I will make sure to bring both letters up at the next meeting, letting people know I don’t like to be threatened by anyone,” Robinson wrote.

Means said he plans to take to the Town Council meeting a copy of Robinson’s Facebook posting.

“I strenuously object to your posting on your Facebook page my letter to you and fellow Gorham town councilors of April 3, 2014,” Means said in his email to Robinson on April 14.

Means said that the Facebook posting made it a matter of public record. But Robinson said on April 14 that Means’ email became public when he sent it. Robinson said he has consulted with a lawyer who said he’s done nothing wrong.

Moulton said he looks forward to the debate when the issue arises.

“The debate of what each one of us believes in needs to be done in council chambers, in public view, and not in emails and certainly not on Facebook,” Moulton said.