The South Portland City Council found itself under fire Monday when several residents accused city leaders of working behind closed doors with Martin’s Point Health Care on a proposed new medical office building at the corner of Ocean and Sawyer streets.

In early March, Martin’s Point, which has offices in the Knightville neighborhood, approached the council about the possibility of the city selling the former Hamlin School, which now houses the planning and code departments, as well as a popular community garden.

Since that time, neighbors have organized against the project, arguing that it’s too big for their quiet residential neighborhood, while at the same time pushing the council to preserve the city-owned corner lot as permanent green space.

Although the Martin’s Point proposal was not on the agenda Monday, a number of residents turned out to again state their opposition to the project, with many citing information learned at a recent neighborhood meeting sponsored by the health-care agency.

One of the most vocal speakers was former Mayor Rosemarie De Angelis, who said discussion regarding the potential sale of the Hamlin School property has been “non-inclusive, non-participatory and non-transparent.”

She told the councilors they were elected to follow the will of the people and reminded city leaders that “we the people own Hamlin School and we the people should have the say in what happens” there.

De Angelis said during her time on the City Council she often defended her fellow councilors and city staff from accusations of unfair dealing and making decisions behind closed doors, but now, she said, “I’m starting to question what’s happening in our city.”

However, both City Manager Jim Gailey and Mayor Linda Cohen assured those present there have been no meetings between city staff or the council and Martin’s Point, other than the public workshop held on March 9.

“There have been no dealings behind closed doors,” Gailey said, adding that prior to Martin’s Point asking the city to consider the sale of the Hamlin School lot, “we had no intention to sell or move the planning office.”

Gailey also said the only discussion there’s been about the possible sale of the former Hamlin School was during the March workshop, which was “completely open air. There have been no discussions behind closed doors.”

Cohen confirmed that no discussions have been held with Martin’s Point since the workshop.

“The council has not taken any position and no decision has been made to move forward,” she said.

Cohen also said that Martin’s Point was clearly told it had to meet with the neighbors and come to some mutual agreement before coming back to the council.

Gailey has said that Martin’s Point would also have to agree to subsidize the cost of moving the planning department before any sale would be authorized.

In opening the residents’ discussion portion of the agenda Monday, Susan Chase presented the council with the signatures of 256 neighbors who are all opposed to the city selling the Hamlin School site for development.

She said the green space surrounding the school, which not only includes the community garden, but also an open field and a basketball court, is “used almost daily.” She asked the council to “please preserve this green space that’s getting active use all year.”

Chase said the 12,000-square-foot building with associated parking that Martin’s Point presented during a neighborhood meeting on May 7 is simply too big. And, she said, the one-third to one-half acre of open space the agency has said it would be willing to preserve is “not acceptable.”

Adam Lampton, who attended the May 7 neighborhood meeting called by Martin’s Point, added, “I am very skeptical of this particular building at this particular site. It’s a key community gathering place for the neighborhood and to replace it with a parking lot would be devastating.”

Another resident, Peter Turner, said all the neighbors are asking for is that the council “listen to the people who live in the neighborhood and would like to preserve (the Hamlin School lot) as green space.”

Resident John Gosselin said residents were not necessarily opposed to new development, but said any development should be in keeping with the neighborhood.

“Small, local, independent businesses would be much more amenable,” he said.

On Tuesday Dick Daigle, the vice president of support services at Martin’s Point, told the Current the health-care agency is still hoping it can reach agreement with the neighbors.

“It’s our intent to continue to engage the community and to address their concerns about this project,” Daigle said. “We want to continue moving forward.”

He said about 15 residents turned out for the neighborhood meeting, which was the “first opportunity to engage with the neighbors and discuss our development plans.”

Overall, Daigle felt the meeting went well and said that staff from Martin’s Point “listened to the comments and feedback” and has already revised its plans for the Hamlin School site to retain more green space.

“I would like to think some residents understand what we are proposing and that some agreement can be reached,” he added.

Daigle also said there has been no discussion with the city yet about a proposed sale price for the Hamlin School property.

In other action Monday, the City Council gave unanimous approval to a $46.1 million school budget for the new fiscal year that starts on July 1.

However, voters will have the final say on the school spending package during a citywide referendum on Tuesday, June 9, which will be held at the Community Center.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. and absentee ballots are now available. Call the City Clerk’s Office at 767-7601 for more information, including registering to vote.

In closing Monday’s meeting, Cohen said, “Hopefully everyone will get out and vote,” while noting the exceedingly low turnout for Portland’s school budget vote last week, which saw only 4.6 percent of registered voters turn up at the polls.