OTISFIELD – Comprehensive Plan Committee members outlined steps Thursday night to learn why the proposed comprehensive plan will not go before voters during a special town meeting.

Last week the committee was informed that selectmen took their article off the special town meeting warrant because the town attorney had legal questions.

Committee Chairman Jim Bishop said he spoke with selectmen Chairman Gerry Robinson, who raised concerns about language in the plan dealing with the government study committee. It calls for paid or elected officials to not be eligible for the committee.

Robinson raised concerns about the number of people this would eliminate including firefighters, highway department and transfer station employees and office staff.

“I’m not sure this is a legal problem,” Bishop said.

Bishop then suggested sending a letter to selectmen asking for a written statement of the problems the board has with the plan, a copy of the minutes in which the board voted to remove the article from the warrant, and a copy of the lawyer’s comments and legal recommendations.

“Once we get the documentation, then we can review it and meet with the selectmen to resolve the issues, if possible,” Bishop said. “If we cannot resolve the issues, then we submit to voters by a petition.”

Bishop noted if the two groups can resolve the issues, the plan will go through the hearing and posting process and then go for a town meeting vote.

He estimated that will take well into August.

Committee members agreed to the letter and requested a two-week deadline for the board to respond to their written requests. Fergus Lea of Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments has assisted the committee throughout the two-year process of updating the Comprehensive Plan. He noted the plan has some legal authority around land use.

“It is just a guideline for town government,” Lea said. “A lawyer may say it is legal but not sound.”

Bishop emphasized he would like the committee to resolve the issues with the selectmen to avoid a citizens’ petition.

“I think it’s a good enough plan that deserves to be executed,” Bishop said. “There may be some small things that have to be worked out.”