Staff Writer
HOULTON — The Shiretown Development Corporation is going to have two less members in the future following a decision made Monday night. The seven remaining SDC members discussed amending the corporation’s bylaws to discontinue using public members as SDC directors. After a two-thirds majority vote, six voting “yes” and two directors voting “no,” the SDC ordinance was changed to read: “The corporation membership shall be seven (7) in number and shall consist of the members of the Houlton town council.” Despite the overwhelming vote, not all directors were happy with the decision of removing the remaining public member Galen Wilde.
“I just can’t go along with this,” remarked director Paul Cleary. “I still think we’re making a mistake. I think we’re wrong.”
Cleary said he felt the decision to remove the members was being based more on personality differences than anything else and believed that the public should still have the opportunity to be an active part of the corporation’s business dealings.
“I think it’s a personal reason, not a business reason,” said Cleary. “We always ask for input from the public and now we don’t want them on the board. If it’s nothing to do with people … why don’t you want them?”
Other directors felt that now that the Houlton International Building had been sold, there would be little business for them to discuss, which they felt could be maintained with only seven members. Director Paul Romanelli said it was a “structural” issue and nothing else. Director Jerry Adams agreed.
“The only reason why I think it should be seven (council members) is because I don’t think an indirect group should have more power than the town council,” he explained.
Adams was referring to a decision made several years ago in which the town council had voted to not fund the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation (SADC). Following that decision, the SDC directors at the time voted to fund the SADC, out of fund, which had been given to the SDC group from the Houlton town council.
Other directors agreed, however, SDC director Wilde felt he was being “broadsided.”
“I thought I was one of you guys on this board,” said Wilde. “I don’t know why this is such a large issue. It’s a little difficult for me to understand.”
The group had begun discussing the matter after the position, which had been held by Houlton resident Stan Ginish, was up for reassignment. The directors decided at that time to begin looking into dissolving both public seats.
