Rome Won’t Give Up

Residents in Rome, Maine, made it clear at the public meeting on Tuesday that they want the town to continue to fight two companies that want to build a cell tower. The town has only $8,200 left of the $50,000 that was allotted for legal fees, so Selectmen voted 3-0 to schedule a meeting asking residents to authorize the town to accept gifts or legal donations to help fight the tower. According to Central Maine, “Selectman Richard LaBelle said residents at the special town meeting won’t be asked to raise more tax dollars or take town money from surplus to pay for legal fees in the court battle, just to accept donations if they are made.” Peter Schultz, chairman of the appeals board and a former selectman, urged the residents not to let “corporations with deep pockets divide their little town.” The residents didn’t give a consensus about whether the town should hold a special meeting about taking donations. Some felt the $8,200 should be enough until a decision is made, and reassess if there is to be another state-level lawsuit. So far, the town has spent nearly $70,000 on the two cases and appeals filed by the two companies. “It sounds like we’re close to a decision at the federal court, and we’ve been very successful in court hearings so far,” said Jack Schultz, a Planning Board member. “It’d be criminal to capitulate before we get this ruling out of federal court. I suspect we’ll be pleased with what happens in Boston, but we don’t know. Better to stay where we are till we find out. Get the ruling and regroup.” (Central Maine)