HOULTON – While a petition effort to repeal the state school consolidation law fell short of its goal, town councilors said earlier this week they believe they still can have their voice heard on the school issue by sending a resolution to state officials supporting the petition and reversal of the law.

Councilors voted unanimously during their regular meeting to approve the resolution, which supports a citizen-initiated petition for a referendum to repeal mandated school consolidation. The resolution now will be sent to Gov. John Baldacci and the Legislature.

The Maine Coalition to Save Schools did not collect the 55,087 signatures it needed to submit to the secretary of state by Jan. 28. Had it done so, the petition would have forced a legislative vote or a statewide referendum vote on the repeal issue.

The group needed to meet that deadline in order for the petition to be reviewed by legislators during the current session.

The group plans to continue to collect signatures in hopes of sending the issue to the next Legislature when it convenes in January 2009.

The resolution approved by the Houlton council asserts that “mandated school district consolidation will increase local property taxes” in many towns, and it will “diminish or destroy community involvement in education.”

Councilors also said that it “burdens municipalities with a cumbersome, repetitive and expensive school budget approval process.”

Councilors have been kept abreast of the school consolidation issue by Rep. Richard Cleary, D-Houlton, who has updated the group on how amendments to the proposed law are progressing in the Legislature. Councilors also have heard a presentation from Steve Fitzpatrick, superintendent of SAD 29. Fitzpatrick told the group the district does not stand to benefit from consolidation in the long run.

The decision to issue the resolution prompted an objection from Houlton resident Stan Ginish, who questioned why the council was even taking the step since the initial drive to gather signatures for the petition failed.

Ginish has long voiced his support for the consolidation law.

Councilor Gerald Adams said he felt the petition drive failed to gather the necessary signatures because residents in southern Maine “didn’t go for it because it [school consolidation] benefits them.”

“The rural communities and taxpayers in those areas are the ones who are going to suffer,” he said. “This [resolution] will give us a voice.”

Councilor Walter Goodrich agreed.

“It is the little schools that are spread out that are going to take it on the chin,” he said.

“This is an important issue for taxpayers in Houlton,” said Councilor Sue Tortello. “This could make our taxes go up.

“I think [approving the resolution] is a good step to take,” she continued.

Chairman Paul Cleary expressed hope that the resolution would have an impact at the state level.

“It lets us be heard,” he said. “If enough towns get together, maybe we can be heard.”

jlbdn@ainop.com

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