WISCASSET

Interpreted in a certain fashion, the Budget Committee’s recommendation against either funding mechanism for withdrawal from Regional School Unit 12 could mean that the committee opposes leaving the school unit in the first place.

On Thursday night, the Budget Committee voted 5-3 against taking out a $2 million bond that would pay for the town to leave RSU 12 — a matter that voters will determine on Nov. 5. Then, the committee was unanimous in its vote against taking the $2 million from the town’s reserve account.

The committee votes come on the heels of Tuesday night’s actions by the Board of Selectmen, on the same issues. Selectmen voted 4-1 for the bond, and 5-0 against taking the money from savings.

Budget Committee Chairman Bob Blagden said Friday that he was not speaking for the committee in opposing withdrawal — at this point — from RSU 12.

“Most people on the committee thinks it’s going to be way too expensive right now to leave the RSU,” Blagden said. “It’s putting the cart before the horse to earmark money prior to any withdrawal.”

Blagden did not fault selectmen, however, for putting the funding alternatives up for board and committee votes.

“The petition prompted that,” he said, referring to the petition to take the money from savings, presented by Doug Smith and others.

lgrard@timesrecord.com

¦ THE BUDGET Committee voted 5-3 against taking out a $2 million bond that would pay for the town to leave RSU 12. Then, the committee was unanimous in its vote against taking the $2 million from the town’s reserve account.

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu