COOPER (AP) – Another Maine town has begun a push to dissolve.

Cooper’s 145 residents will hold a special vote on Thursday to decide whether to move toward deorganizing, which if successful would make it the second Washington County town to become part of the state’s unorganized territory.

“I’m all for deorganizing,” said Arline Flood, the town’s elections official. “We have many older, retired people here, and naturally they would like to see the lower taxes.”

The state turned down Cooper’s pleas in 1997 when town and state officials could not agree on where students would be schooled. This time, the town will approach a Legislature that views deorganizing as a last restore to ease a tax burden.

If the Legislature does allow Cooper to continue toward deorganization, a final vote by residents would take place during November’s general election.

Cooper’s latest move toward deorganization started at last spring’s town meeting when residents seeking lower property taxes voted to present a petition to the state.

The last town to attempt to deorganize was Atkinson in Piscataquis County. The Legislature denied their request last year.

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