FALMOUTH — A southern Maine town’s proposed rules to maintain civility in the public’s communications to the town council have drawn criticism on free speech grounds from civil libertarians.
The Maine Civil Liberties Union said Wednesday that Falmouth’s resolution should be rejected as unconstitutional.
A resolution passed by the Falmouth Town Council on Monday and proposed changes to council rules that may be enacted on May 24 say “name-calling and personal attacks and abusive, bullying, and threatening language” will not be tolerated during meetings or in correspondence.
The resolution came up after a citizen, Michael Doyle, sharply criticized Councilor Cathy Breen in e-mails or in council meetings, using words such as “snide, abusive” and “condescending.”
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