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Rangeley selectmen receive citizen petition to restore open town‑meeting format
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Rangeley Board of Selectmen voted to receive and acknowledge a citizen petition asking that certain warrant articles be decided in open town‑meeting format (with the option for written ballots), while staff will seek additional legal guidance on whether the petition is actionable under state law and past practice.
The Rangeley Board of Selectmen on Feb. 18 formally received a citizen petition asking the town to return to an open‑floor town meeting format for certain warrant articles, rather than resolving those articles by secret ballot.
The petition, certified and presented to the board, asks that business articles be discussed in an open town‑meeting setting where individual articles may then be voted by written ballot if the floor so moves. "I want town meeting to be held in open format," said Chris (Resident), who led the petition drive and said the group collected 90 signatures in about 36 hours. "It allows you to look at what's been recommended by the board, allows you to look at what's been recommended by the budget committee ... and have a discussion."
Town Manager Joe read an attorney opinion the office had obtained advising that the decision whether to hold town meeting articles in an open forum or by secret ballot is within the selectmen's discretion. "The decision to make town meeting an open town meeting or secret ballot in this room lies exclusively with the select board," Joe said, summarizing the memo he had circulated. He also said the written opinion did not include a statutory citation in the email provided to the board.
Why it matters: Petitioners and several selectmen framed this as an issue of democratic participation. Proponents said open meetings increase debate and give budget‑committee work a public airing; opponents and some board members noted historical turnout patterns and the protection a secret ballot can provide for voters who prefer privacy.
Selectman Denise noted there is already a procedural route to use written ballots during an open town meeting: "A motion can be made from the floor, seconded. If a majority votes, then ... the subject being voted on can be done by secret ballot," she said. Other selectmen and residents recalled past votes and expressed differing views about turnout and fairness.
The board voted to receive and acknowledge the petition and asked staff to obtain further legal input before taking any final position. Selectman Ethan moved to receive the petition and acknowledge it for the record; Jake seconded the motion, and the motion carried. In discussion the board directed Town Manager Joe to seek additional legal guidance from the Maine Municipal Association and to follow up with the town's attorney so the board can decide whether the petition must be placed on a warrant or whether the board may exercise its discretion in scheduling and format.
The board paused further action pending that additional legal review and the input of board members who were not present at the meeting. The petitioners had requested that, if possible, the board consider moving a special town meeting from April 8 to April 15 so the petition could appear on a single special meeting warrant rather than require two special meetings.
The selectmen's receipt of the petition does not itself change the format for any upcoming votes; the board distinguished clearly between (1) discussion and public comment on the petition, (2) the board's direction to get legal clarification, and (3) the formal act of receiving the petition for the public record. The matter will return to the board once the additional legal opinions are available.
