Hampden resident urges RSU 22 to proceed cautiously after failed referendum, cites late town email and county budget pressures
RSU 22 Board of Directors · November 20, 2025
Summary
Public commenter Eric Jarvey said the Nov. 4 RSU 22 administration‑building referendum failed, reported receiving an Oct. 16 email from Hamden’s court enforcement officer that he says was not shared at an Oct. 21 hearing, and urged cautious budgeting in light of county budget increases; the district’s communications on the matter were disputed in the meeting.
At the RSU 22 board meeting at Camden Academy Library, resident Eric Jarvey used his public comment time to press the district for clarity about a failed Nov. 4 referendum to build a new administration building and to warn of broader budget pressures.
Jarvey said he publicly supported the referendum at the Oct. 21 hearing but believed the timing and public communication about the project were poor. He said he requested any district correspondence with the town of Hamden on Nov. 10 and, citing a prior exchange, was told by district staff: “I don't know where you received your information but once again it is not accurate.” Jarvey said he is now in possession of an Oct. 16 email from Hamden's court enforcement officer to the district that he said raised concerns about referendum language and the necessary approval process; he told the board that correspondence was received by the district five days before the Oct. 21 public hearing and “none of which was shared at the October 21 public hearing.”
Jarvey also raised concerns about county finances. He said he attended a Penobscot County Budget Committee meeting where a roughly $36,000,000 budget representing a 20% increase from FY25 was substantively approved by an advisory committee. In the meeting Jarvey described that increase as reflecting a “roughly $7,000,000,000 deficit in the county undesignated fund balance.” The board did not provide documentation on either the Hamden email Jarvey referenced or the county figures during the public comment; Jarvey urged the district to “proceed cautiously in developing the next budget request.”
Chair thanked Jarvey for his comments. The board moved from public comment into routine reports and agenda business. The district did not offer immediate public verification of the email or of Jarvey’s county deficit figure during the meeting; those matters were not resolved on the record.
