HARPSWELL (AP) – Selectmen have decided to gather more information before deciding whether to hold another vote on a proposal to put a liquefied natural gas terminal in the town. After a lengthy discussion Thursday, selectmen voted unanimously to make a decision on whether to hold another vote by July 15, though they could act as soon as July 8.

Some contend a second vote is necessary because a bomb threat was called in during the first vote more than three months ago. It is unclear whether selectmen are legally bound to hold another vote, though some Maine case law indicates selectmen have discretion in allowing or denying a revote.

, according to Selectman Gordon Weil.

But state law also mandates that if selectmen “unreasonably refuse to call a town meeting,” a meeting and vote can be called by a notary public who has a written petition signed by at least 10 percent of the number who voted in the previous gubernatorial election.

The board of selectmen has agreed to review the issue with town attorneys before making a decision.

Board Chairman James Knight suggested Thursday that the town send a letter to ConocoPhillips and TransCanada to determine if the two companies would come back to Harpswell. The answer could determine whether to hold another vote, he said.

“If asked and the venture responded they were not interested in doing business with us, it would be ridiculous to have another vote,” he said.

Chris Duval, spokesman for Fair Play for Harpswell, said he respected that the selectmen have to consider the revote petition and was pleased the board is moving carefully. But he also said there is “no justification for a revote.”

“If there is a revote, it’s going to get smashed,” he said.

Duval added that the group also has another petition in reserve, one that would ask the selectmen for ordinance changes that would prohibit the town from ever having an LNG terminal.

AP-ES-06-18-04 0218EDT