POLAND – Accusations and threats marred an informational session on a proposed public-private partnership for water exploration Tuesday night.

Selectmen voted to hold a special town meeting next week to consider the proposed business partnership between the town and former Selectman Ira “Ike” Levine and his company, Biological Services Inc.

New Jersey resident Frank Juliano, who owns several properties in Poland, criticized Levine’s proposal and threatened to sue if one of several town-owned parcels being considered for water exploration is used. The parcel abuts land owned by Juliano, and he said he has an easement from his property.

Levine countered that there would be no interference with Juliano’s property or his easement.

Juliano said he conducted an Internet search of Biological Services Inc. and found the site of the Maine Secretary of State that, he said, listed the company as foreign. The site uses the word foreign but also says it was incorporated in Hawaii.

Levine said he founded the business while living in Hawaii in 1985 and moved the company to Maine in 1989.

Juliano said Levine doesn’t deserve the town’s approval.

“It’s a foreign offshore company. It was incorporated in 1985 in that far away country of Hawaii,” Levine said. He accused Juliano of providing false information.

“I can spend $100,000 on legal fees” to fight this, Juliano said.

Levine responded to Juliano’s threat to sue. “That’s the way you do business. I prefer to work with the town, to work with the DEP. Mr. Juliano, you who is from New Jersey, thinks you can come in here and muck up my company. That’s a sad day.”

Joe Cimino, a local resident who is in the water business, also objected to the town entering into a contract with Levine. Cimino said he would like to bid on a contract to enter into a water business with the town.

“I don’t want to see you, the town of Poland, as my competitor. If we are, we’re going to have a problem. You are saying the special town meeting is for (a water exploration contract) one person and no one else. I have a problem with that,” he said.

Voters will have the opportunity to debate the issue and vote on it at the special town meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Poland Regional High School.

“If nothing more, it will bring it out for a full public hearing,” said Selectmen Chairman David Corcoran.