In the Shopping Guide of July 16, the town of Standish posted a new informational public hearing for Aug. 12. This is a Council meeting starting at 7 p.m. there is no time certain for the hearing assume it will happen sometime during the meeting. The purpose of this meeting seems to be about some kind of new format “Special Town Meeting Referendum Election” to be held on Sept. 9, 2014” again, there is no time certain stated.

The purpose of this new type of format seems to be an attempt to change what was a failed referendum on June 10, 2014, into a Town Meeting-type vote. The major difference is a referendum vote is generally a private vote and the Town Meeting is a hand count vote. Standish has a hired attorney from Jensen Baird as the town’s contractor and most often present and voted by the council, as moderator for the town meeting format. It is strange how it occurs he is always there for nomination. Quickly the entire town’s budget is reviewed and approved in about 15 minutes. Referendum votes in Standish are generally voting from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a prepared ballot, a semi private booth, with a ballot collection machine, and the Town Clerk oversees the process. The attorney contractor by letter dated July 9, 2014 advises “Gordy” (Standish Town Manager, Billington) with some perhaps and maybes for the failed vote of June 10. The contractor states same issues could be brought up again, at any time the council dictates. (Letter is available at Standish Town Hall.) It is unclear which type of vote will be used for this revote should it occur on Sept. 9. I would guess it would be very similar to a Town Meeting because is goes very quickly and probably have a very low attendance as the Town Meeting usually does. The September date is a normal working day (Tuesday) and it will be a very low vote count if the voting does not allow early and late voting for Standish voters.

The problem that caused this meeting is the council’s budget did not pass in June. Standish Town Charter is very clear in Section 805 that no further vote on the same content should not be voted on again for one year. The attorney contractor’s letter has muddied the waters and caused some amount of problem with the voters. Attorneys can state an opinion and it is not necessarily correct, however there is an obligation for the town attorney to represent the whole town not just the council and town manager.

It would probably be best for all citizens to attend the Town Council meeting and stand your ground on Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. There is some good news here in Standish that more voters are choosing to exercise their vote and the vote has been increasing. This meeting may not go the way you like that means you did not bring enough votes with you.

William Orr

Standish