Millinocket favors consolidation study School boards already mulling school issue

MILLINOCKET – Millinocket residents overwhelmingly said they favor area school boards exploring the issue of school consolidation.

The nonbinding advisory referendum was approved by a vote of 1,198 to 165 during Tuesday’s elections. It asked, “Do you favor efforts of the four area school boards – Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway and Woodville – to explore issues involving the possible consolidation of schools in the area and other areas of mutual cooperation?”

The special nonbinding vote placed on the ballot by the Town Council was designed to give elected officials a sense of how the town felt about the issue of area school consolidation. The four area school boards have formed a subcommittee to study the issue of school consolidation and shared programs.

Town Manager Gene Conlogue said the vote showed residents overwhelmingly favored the discussions now under way. “That should send a message to our school board and hopefully that feeling is shared in the neighboring communities,” said Conlogue.

Superintendent Brent Colbry said he was encouraged by the vote. “That certainly is a strong affirmation of the process the school boards are in,” he said. “This is a process of investigation and study.”

The voter turnout Tuesday was considered low. A total of 1,372 ballots were cast. The town has about 4,100 registered voters.

Incumbent Donald McLaughlin and Avern Danforth were elected to three-year terms on the Town Council. Election results are: Danforth, 913; Harold “John” Davis, 703; and McLaughlin, 731 votes.

Incumbent Jean Cyr and Shelley Farrington were elected to three-year terms on the school board. Election results are: Cyr, 913; Farrington, 541; Jolene Plourde, 338; and Gilda Stratton, 431 votes.