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Board members discuss local fluoridation removal steps but say city ballot and signatures required
Summary
Trustees and staff discussed the effects of fluoridation on equipment and the process required to remove fluoride from the city water supply; staff said the board cannot remove fluoride unilaterally and a citizen initiative and ballot measure would be required.
Trustees raised concerns at the June 11 meeting about fluoridation’s effects on equipment and buildings and discussed what it would take to remove fluoride from Caribou’s public water supply.
Staff told the board that removal is not within the board’s unilateral authority: a change would require a citizen initiative and a city ballot measure. Staff described the process in general terms: forming a five‑member citizen committee, requesting the city council place the question on the ballot, and — if the council refuses — gathering a threshold number of voter signatures based on a percentage of votes cast in a recent election to force a ballot measure. Staff said they would identify the exact petition threshold and the city clerk could provide precise figures tied to a specific past election.
Several trustees said they had seen visible equipment wear from fluoridation and expressed concern about safety and building impacts; one trustee said they could not vouch for fluoride’s dental benefits but could “vouch for it as a safety to employees and what it does to equipment and buildings.” Trustees discussed the need for public education if a petition effort were launched, noting voters may not perceive a problem if they receive safe water now.
Board members also referenced other Maine communities’ experiences; staff noted Ashland had recently completed a removal process that included public voting. Manager said staff could research the procedural details and report back if trustees want to pursue moving the matter to the council or a citizen‑led petition.
No formal action or vote to change fluoridation was taken at the meeting; trustees agreed that any change would follow the city’s ballot and petition process.
