The Wiscasset Board of Selectmen narrowly voted down a motion that would have required the Town’s website to manage and host information provided by the Wiscasset Educational Research Panel, a citizen’s group tasked with investigating options for withdrawing from RSU 12.
The Board voted down the motion introduced by Selectman David Nichols 2-3 at a public meeting Jan. 31. Selectman Bill Curtis joined Nichols in voting for the measure. Selectmen Pam Dunning, Ed Polewarczyk, and Judy Colby opposed it.
Nichols is the husband of WERP Board member Sharon Nichols.
Polewarczyk expressed his opposition to using public funds to host a private group’s information on the Town’s website.
“I don’t think that’s right for us to provide funds to a panel that is not a town committee,” Polewarczyk said.
Speaking in favor of the motion, Curtis said that because the town voted overwhelmingly in November to begin investigating options for withdrawing from RSU 12, hosting WERP’s research should be considered an exception to the rule.
Dunning and Colby cautioned, however, that allowing one private organization’s information on the Town website could serve as a slippery slope.
“I don’t see how we can treat one group differently than everyone else,” Dunning said.
The Town’s website currently hosts links to several private citizens groups, including WERP.
