Citizens favor move to dissolve

Town will begin deorganization

ATKINSON — A straw vote held during an informational public meeting on July 19 at the town office indicated strong support for the Atkinson deorganization procedure. An estimated 40 out of approximately 50 hands raised favored the town dissolving, and the poll included five no votes and another five residents abstaining.

A special town meeting on the deorganization procedure is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at the town office. Citizens will vote, via secret ballot, on whether to deorganize or not. If the article is approved then attendees will also vote on the committee appointments to work on the withdrawal process from SAD 41 that will be simultaneously with the ongoing process of the town becoming an unorganized territory.

A decision would be made by the Maine Legislature – possibly next year – to approve or deny any request made by Atkinson to deorganize.