LITTLETON – Although there will be no immediate changes, officials with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians praised a recent announcement from the Town Council that recognizes and supports the band’s desire to achieve greater governmental autonomy.

The seven councilors sent news of their decision in a letter to Brenda Commander, chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. Commander touted it as “an important political development.”

The council’s letter is in support of the Maliseets as they work with state government for greater governmental autonomy.

A copy of the letter has been sent to Gov. John Baldacci and members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, as well as to Rep. Richard Cleary, D-Houlton, and Sen. Roger Sherman, R-Houlton.

The Legislature will take up the issue in its next session beginning in January.

During a news conference at the Maliseet Administration Building in Littleton, Commander highlighted portions of the letter and expressed gratitude to town officials for offering the tribe their support.

In the letter, Houlton councilors say the town would consent to the release of jurisdiction over the 177 acres of Houlton Band land on the Foxcroft Road in Houlton. Thus, this “Houlton Band Territorial Land” would be separate and distinct from the town. The land contains the band’s housing development and other community facilities.

The letter also said the town would claim no jurisdiction or authority over the band’s territorial land and would not levy taxes or request payment in lieu of taxes on the land. In turn, the town would not provide municipal services on this land unless contractually agreed to by the Houlton Band.

The letter pointed out that the band would be responsible for such things as ownership and maintenance of all roads located on territorial land, code enforcement, SAD 29 cost allocations for residents of territorial land, and other matters. The Houlton Police Department would have no jurisdiction over Houlton Band territorial land.

“I think it is really great that the town has supported our efforts to be a sovereign nation,” Commander said Friday. “There are still some obstacles, but this is a huge step forward.

“There is a lot of fear out there about tribes and what they want,” she said. “We just want to govern ourselves and have a say over our trust lands.”

Commander said the tribe has had a good relationship with the town, and credited Town Manager Douglas Hazlett for his support.

“We are tied to our land and we will be here forever,” she said. “I think we are an economic force here and we want this area to thrive, and we want more jobs, not just for our tribal members but for everyone here.”

Hazlett told councilors earlier this week that the town values its relationship with the Maliseets and that they have a good working relationship with the band.

“The letter that we are offering … is the consent of the town as the Maliseets address the issue with Augusta,” Hazlett said. “This is something Augusta would have to decide; it isn’t something the council can vote to do.”

He said he felt it would be a good idea to have the town’s decision on record with the Legislature when lawmakers begin their deliberations in January.

jlbdn@ainop.com

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