By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

When Bear Zaidman suggested Bridgton adopt a resolution to make the town a Second Amendment Sanctuary, he heard from folks in favor of the measure and those against.

“There were some constructive comments,” Zaidman told fellow Select Board members Tuesday night. “And, there was some name calling.”

At their March 9 meeting, the vote on the Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution resulted in a 2-2 tie (Selectmen Zaidman and Fred Packard for, Selectman Paul Tworog and Selectwoman Carmen Lone against, Chairman Lee Eastman was absent) — thus the measure failed.

Zaidman pointed out the Select Board is permitted to make such a resolution, and the request did not seek any changes to the law.

Tworog countered that laws are in place to protect the Constitution.

Several residents also weighed in by submitting e-mails, supporting and opposing the resolution. Here’s a sampling:

• Steve and Sandra Collins, “It will have no practical effect. Each of you has sworn to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Maine. The resolution would not change a bit of that responsibility…It seems to us that the proposed action by the Board of Selectmen would usurp the authority of the town’s legislative body — town meeting. Firearms violence has reached the point that the CDC is considering declaring it a public health epidemic. The last thing we as a community need to do is advertise ‘bring your weapons to Bridgton.’”

• Kenneth King asked to be “one of those voices asking you to please take whatever action you can to fight against the ever-increasing likelihood that the federal government will take action to restrict the owners of firearms, and ignore the Second Amendment.”

• Tim Barry wrote, “(The Second Amendment) is by far one of the most important rights we have as a free people. It allows each of us to be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of our loved ones and neighbors. I fear there will be an assault on our Second Amendment rights in the near future. I think it is important for each town come out and state whether they support the Second Amendment or not…Maine is ranked as one of the safest states in America. It doesn’t seem like Maine needs the folks in D.C. to tell us what is best for us here in Maine.”

• Nicole Hodsdon wrote, “How unfortunate we are forced to live among a high percentage of Americans who promote conspiracy theories and lies, among them the nonsense that the Second Amendment is in any danger. Gun violence is an epidemic in the United States, exacerbated by those who use racism, bigotry and hateful ideology to manipulate others into believing that threatening others with firearms is a reasonable solution to their own hatred.”

Initially, Zaidman was prepared to bring the resolution back up for discussion and possible action Tuesday night. But, he ultimately decided against the move because of uncertainty regarding proper procedure.

Many officials were under the impression the board was bound to Robert’s Rules of Order. When Zaidman went to Town Manager Bob Peabody for his interpretation whether the issue could be brought up for “renewal,” Peabody was “frazzled” and left the room.

“The town manager is here to guide us, to keep us out of trouble,” Zaidman said.

Peabody quickly responded that he disagreed with Zaidman’s phrasing, pointing out that he was “certainly not frazzled” and he left the room to attend a scheduled Zoom meeting regarding the sewer project.

Relying on his “past experiences” from other boards he had worked with, Peabody felt the rules of reconsideration regarding a motion that had been defeated called for the matter to be put aside for one year, to prevent issues from “coming up meeting after meeting after meeting.”

“I advised the board on what I’ve known in the past,” he said. “There is nothing written anywhere.”

Zaidman said town meeting adopted Robert’s Rules of Order as the procedural standard, and based on what he read, Zaidman felt the matter could be reconsidered.

“I try to follow the rules,” said Zaidman as he sought how other board members and Peabody felt. “As an elected official, I represent all people. I was asked by a number of people to bring this (resolution) forward. It is a statement to follow the Constitution and uphold the laws, not change anything…I believe in the Constitution. Some folks say some Amendments are not under attack, that’s their opinion. Do some research.”

Zaidman did take offense to some public comments regarding the Select Board’s focus should be on town matters. He pointed out that he has “put in thousands of hours to serve the town.”

Zaidman then noted he would not renew the motion for a couple of weeks until officials could gain more input regarding procedure.

Selectman Tworog contacted Maine Municipal Association to gain clarity as to the time frame to renew action on a resolution between sessions or meetings.

“It’s not well defined in our town rules,” Tworog noted. “MMA is a strong advocate that we don’t accept Robert’s Rules.”

He also wondered again whether the resolution is one the board should even be considering.

“When a town or municipality makes a resolution or proclamation of this type, usually the intent of the item is that the town is basically in agreement on, it brands town as a whole,” he said. “It is unusual in this case. It is something that is controversial…in this case, I read through three times, each e-mail sent on this issue, totals 30 yes, 55 on record as no.”

While Zaidman said a board can make a resolution, Tworog pointed that the resolution carries the phrase “Town of Bridgton.”

Peabody clarified procedure used at town meeting is according to the town meeting moderator manual. Research into the procedural issue, Peabody found that former Town Manager Mitch Berkowitz was working on a set of rules back in 2012, but was unable to find a finished product. He agreed that a set of rules and procedures are needed so “we’re all on the same page; we all have different perceptions based on past experiences.”

“The big issue is that it is not in writing what a session is defined by. It is important that the board get it figured out. We need to have a definition,” Eastman said. “Let’s define it so it is clear for everyone. It’s not as clear as it should be. We need a clear path for selectmen to follow.”

Resident Bernie King asked for clarification regarding the tie vote on the resolution. “Why do we assume it was defeated?” he asked.

Peabody explained that the motion made was in the affirmative, thus a majority is needed to approve the issue. A 2-2 vote is not a majority, so it failed, Peabody said.

The board will address the procedural issue at a future meeting.

In other meeting notes:

• Hearing from SAD 61 Al Smith that Bridgton’s share of the proposed $31 million budget would actually be $101,000 less than a year ago, the Select Board briefly considered whether to relook at the town’s proposed budget and possibly increase spending in some areas. Officials decided to pass the savings on to taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Town Manager Bob Peabody pointed out that Bridgton will receive $540,000 in federal Covid-relief funds. Peabody said the town will receive half the funds in 90 days from when legislation was passed and the remaining money 12 months later. Peabody said the money could be earmarked as part of the inner corridor project — part for the sewer and part for other infrastructure improvement.

• A plaque of appreciation was presented by Board Chairman Lee Eastman to Health Officer Cathy Pinkham for her “outstanding performance, superior dedication and commitment to the health and wellbeing of the community” during the Covid-19 pandemic. Select Board members also announced that the town report will be dedicated to Pinkham.

• Vivo’s Italian Kitchen owner Christian Cuff withdrew a request to close off a portion of Depot Street — as was done last year due to Covid-19 restrictions. He had hoped to create a thoroughfare, but if there was “any pushback, it would not be worth irritating anyone in town.” As Covid restrictions continue to change, Cuff feels the restaurant now has enough seating capacity. 

The Select Board has tabled action on the request until the town had a conversation with Frank Howell, owner of Downeast Industry and the Magic Lantern. Community Development Director Linda LaCroix spoke with Howell, and informed the board that Howell supported this action up until the point Governor Janet Mills opens back up business to 100% capacity. Once that point is reached, Howell would like to see the street open as other businesses ramp up.

Meanwhile, the Select Board agreed to allow the Bridgton Farmers’ Market to use the same green spaces on Depot Street, as was authorized last year.

• Flags were lowered to half-staff Monday, March 22 in honor of the victims of acts of violence perpetrated in the Atlanta Metropolitan area earlier this week. As the flags were raised to full staff, town office staff were once again notified to lower the flags to half-staff effective Tuesday through Saturday, March 27, in honor and remembrance of the victims of the tragedy in Boulder, Colo. 

• The Transfer Station store is now open! Masks are required and there is a limit of fivepeople at any one time allowed in the store to shop.  The Transfer Station is open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stickers and masks are requiredto use the Transfer Station. Stickers are available at the facility or the Town Office at a cost of $10 and they last for two years.

• June Annual Town Meeting nomination papers are available for the following positions: two selectmen (3-year terms); two planning board members (3-year terms); two planning board alternate members (3-year and 1-year term); two SAD 61 directors (3-year terms); and one Water District trustee (3-year term).  Filing deadline is Friday, April 9.  

• The Town Office will be closed to the public on Tuesday, March 30 for staff administration at the special election. The office will be staffed by a core group of employees available by appointment only.  E-mails and voice mails will be monitored and responded to accordingly throughout the day.  A full list of staff and department phone numbers is posted on the front door of the Town Office or online at www.bridgtonmaine.org

• Recreation Director Gary Colello was voted by the Maine Parks and Rec Association to be an At-Large board member. 

“I am excited to represent myself as one of the state’s leaders in parks and rec but also to represent Bridgton,” he said. “This is an opportunity to have direct access to information of all things Maine Parks and Recreation and expands the resources for the Town to have better access to information since we have a large amount of parks and one our biggest industries is recreation.”