WOODLAND, Maine – A Bangor judge has dismissed harassment charges brought against a former member of Woodland’s select board.
In December, Kathy Ouellette alleged that fellow board member Thomas Drew had threatened and become “volatile” toward her and colleagues during an executive session at the town office. A sheriff’s deputy served Drew with three protection from abuse orders on behalf of Ouellette, board chairperson Matt Cole and town clerk Bridget Coats.
Cole and Coats withdrew their complaints against Drew in February but Ouellette proceeded with her allegations. She brought in multiple witnesses at Bangor District Court June 27 and July 9, including Cole and Coats, who testified that Drew harassed Ouellette many times starting in June 2023 after she was elected to the board.
Ouellette claimed that she was driving in Woodland in July 2023 when Drew pulled out in front of her vehicle quickly, made a turn and then pulled his vehicle back into her path, which frightened Ouellette and her grandchildren, according to Bangor District Court documents.
Ouellette alleged that during the executive session on Dec. 20, Drew threatened her and said that she should “get a posse ready.” She and colleagues wrote in court documents that Drew made them feel unsafe.
But Bangor District Court Judge Jon Haddow ruled that the evidence Ouellette and others brought forward was “conflicting” and did not adequately prove that Drew violated any laws or attempted to intimidate or cause fear during any of their interactions.
“There is no doubt in the court’s mind that these encounters were at least uncivil and, at times, both rude and loud,” Haddow wrote in his ruling July 10. “This case is a close one. But while the court doesn’t condone the conduct it observed through the evidence in this case, it does not find sufficient evidence to support a finding that the defendant [Drew] harassed the plaintiff.
Drew is no longer on the select board. He did not seek reelection after his term expired in June. Woodland resident Chris Fournier was elected to replace him.
Drew’s departure came after conflicts between him and Ouellette disrupted town government last year, with Drew not showing up to and effectively canceling several public board meetings.
In an email to the Bangor Daily News on Monday, Drew called Ouellette’s allegations “a misguided effort to gain advantage over a political opponent” and said that he had been advised to seek protection orders against Ouellette and Cole, though he ultimately chose not to. Drew declined to comment further.
Ouellette said she understood the difficult position that Haddow was in with this case, especially with Drew no longer being an elected official.
Though Ouellette, Cole and Coats no longer have active protection orders against Drew, a law enforcement officer could still issue Drew a harassment notice if any of them request one, Ouellette said.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated whether Ouellette, Cole and Coats have protection orders against Drew.
