POLAND – A dozen residents rose Tuesday night in defense of Sue Ellis, whose term on the Planning Board expired this month and will be filled by someone else if the Board of Selectmen’s current vote stands.

“Right at this moment, I really feel that an injustice is being done to Sue,” said Don Stover. “Folks like us could not have imagined that she would not be reappointed. That’s why you haven’t heard from us.”

After hearing passionate testimony for about an hour, selectmen voted 3-2 to table the appointments for the Planning Board’s vacant seat and an alternate’s slot.

Selectmen Bud Jordan, David Corcoran and Steve Robinson voted in favor Tuesday, while Chairman Glenn Peterson and Wendy Sanborn opposed the delay.

“It’s a moot point as far as I’m concerned,” said Peterson. “We had a proper vote. I don’t want to go back and question every vote we took at the last meeting.”

Selectmen voted 2-1 on July 6 against reappointing Ellis to the Planning Board. Peterson and Sanborn voted against the reappointment, with Jordan voting in favor. Corcoran abstained from the vote and Robinson was absent from the meeting. Peterson invited Ellis to return to Tuesday’s meeting when Robinson was expected to attend.

However, Peterson cited the Maine Municipal Association guidelines Tuesday when he insisted that the previous vote should stand. When Jordan moved to reconsider, Peterson pointed out that procedure allows only a prevailing voice to make that motion. Such practice is followed at annual town meetings.

“Maybe you ought to get a legal opinion and postpone the vote,” said Ellis after addressing the selectmen. “You’re not going to get rid of me that fast.”

Ellis added that she was angry about the lack of courtesy paid her by the selectmen.

“I think you should be ashamed of yourselves,” said Sandy Knowles. “You don’t throw someone off the board because she votes her conscience.”

Robinson, who had requested interviews for appointment candidates, said that he would live with the board’s decision but favored tabling the matter until he could get clarification on voting procedures.

Dan White and others took Corcoran to task for abstaining during last meeting’s vote because of a personal friendship with Ellis.

“I’m disappointed in you, Dave,” said White. “Everyone in town could be considered your friend.”

Corcoran responded by saying that he didn’t want his vote to carry the stigma of a “good ol’ boy” action.

Bruce Uldall, who also applied for the Planning Board seat, left the Town Office before public comment ended.

“If I had known this was going to be a debate, I would have brought my people out too,” said Uldall. “Whatever this board decides is cool with me.”

David Venne, a third applicant for the Planning Board, did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.

In a quick and unanimous vote, selectmen reappointed Joe Radziszewski to the town’s Appeals Board, and R.C. Carlson as an alternate to the same board.