SABATTUS – Selectmen voted this week to revoke the voting rights of a family claiming to have lived in Sabattus since 2003, deeming them nonresidents of the town.
With a house in Greene on Old Wood Lane and a house rented at 68 Elm St. in Sabattus, the question was: Which of the locations do town officials consider Dan and Nancy Wood’s legal residence?
In a 3-1 vote, selectmen sided with Town Clerk Robin Dulac’s original decision to remove the family from the list of registered voters based on the lack of evidence proving residency in Sabattus.
Alluding to the fact that the Woods use a Sabattus post office box as a mailing address, Chairman Gino Camardese said, “State statutes read that a post office address cannot be used to base a permanent legal address. And that was the only thing they kept going back to. I had no choice but to affirm due to too many irregularities in the documentation.”
Agreeing with Camardese, Selectmen Mark Duquette and Guy Desjardins felt evidence in the family’s defense fell short. Dan Wood said the house in Greene currently houses renters, but it is the rental agreement that has some selectmen baffled.
“I have some difficulty understanding why anyone would place a rent at only a third of their monthly mortgage,” Duquette said. “That just doesn’t make sense.”
With no town ordinance on the issue, the board heard the appeal and came to a conclusion based on state statutes.
“We have people fighting all over the world for the right to vote,” Desjardins said. “The integrity of voting has to be there. Unfortunately, I don’t see it. When everything is said and done I commend Dulac for her bravery and time spent on the issue.”
Unsatisfied with the verdict, the Woods say they will appeal the town’s decision for a second time, this time bringing the matter to the Androscoggin County Superior Court.
“We knew it was not going to be in our favor when we saw that our issue was moved to the back of the agenda and not the front like promised,” Dan Wood said. “They didn’t apply the standard that was set by their chairman and this is why we are appealing.”
Camardese said he abided by his standards and based his decision on state statutes. “It was a tough decision to make, one that I wish someone else had to deal with.”
Selectman William Luce cast the lone vote in favor of overturning the ruling. “I think the most recent evidence provided by Dan and Nancy proved they had meet the requirements of becoming a resident in Sabattus,” he said. “But this board has agreed to disagree.”
Having the weight removed from her shoulders, Dulac said she is happy to see the issue come to an end. “The board made a thoughtful decision,” Dulac said. “I am just sorry it had to come down to this.”
As for what will come of the Wood’s children, who are currently enrolled in Sabattus schools, a representative from the school board said no action would take place until after July. If the family is ultimately found legally to reside in Greene, the school board may remove the children from the district.
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