Harrison resident Scott Ramsdell (standing) facilitated the Dec. 30 meeting of a newly formed group, the Harrison Citizens Organization. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

HARRISON — “Leave your titles at the door.”

Following that statement by Harrison Planning Board Alternate Wendy Gallant, the Board’s Vice-Chair Scott Ramsdell called the Dec. 30 meeting of the Town of Harrison Citizens Organization (HCO) to order.

It was HCO’s second meeting, its first taking place on Dec. 9. The group was organized earlier that month by resident Mike Garvey, whose goal is to replace the rhetoric and hostility against Harrison’s local government, and mostly aimed Town Manager Cass Newell, with productive engagement.

In addition to organizing meetings, Garvey also started a private Facebook group, called Town of Harrison Citizens Organization, for communication.

HCO’s mission states it is “a non-partisan, grassroots, volunteer organization committed to nurturing transparency in local government through citizens engagement and participation.”

But as HCO seeks to promote government transparency and improve fractured relations between town leaders and citizens, it may have already hindered transparency of its activities.

The Advertiser Democrat learned of HCO following Garvey’s first appearance at the town’s Dec. 12 Select Board meeting as its spokesperson.

That three-hour business meeting was dominated by agitated speakers and shouting matches that at one point led to Newell bolting from the room.

The newspaper also learned that besides Garvey, other Harrison residents driving HCO include four of Harrison’s five Planning Board members, as well as one alternate.

Under Maine’s Freedom of Access Act, Title 1, Chapter 13, Subchapter 1: Freedom of Access, any gathering containing a quorum of elected officials is classified as an open meeting, requiring advance public posting, that record of the meeting must include the date, time and place; the members of the body holding the public proceeding recorded as either present or absent; and all motions and votes taken, by individual member, if there is a roll call. Meeting records must be maintained for public viewing, exempting matters discussed during executive session.

Garvey invited The Advertiser Democrat to attend HCO’s Dec. 30 meeting.

He was unable to be there in person. In his absence, Ramsdell acted as meeting facilitator.

He introduced himself and the mission for HCO at the outset.

“I’ve been actively lobbying them [town government] to consider some of the stuff we’ve talked about,” Ramsdell said. “I’ve had a chance to talk with most of the Select Board members … and I’ve encouraged them that this group of individuals here are earnestly seeking some solutions.”

He emphasized to attendees that the goal is to talk with each other and not at one another on social media.

But Ramsdell also touched on the requirements of Maine’s public access law.

“If we’re patient, we’re here for a conversation,” he said. “We’re here as citizens, which is important to note. We’ve invited select board members and Cass and if they come here, they are here as citizens.

“There are obvious legal reasons for that. Like Larry (Farmer) and I can’t sit with Wendy (Gallant) because we’re all on the Planning Board, which is in violation of freedom of access.”

During that meeting most participants signed an attendance sheet and identified themselves along with their street address when speaking.

Harrison’s Select Board Chairman Matt Frank speaks during a Dec. 30 citizens meeting in the Harrison Food Bank’s conference room at 176 Waterford Road. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

Harrison’s Board of Selectmen Chair Matthew Frank attended the meeting, speaking and answering questions in his official government capacity.

When a motion was made to consider the language of a request to be submitted as a Select Board agenda item, it was moved, seconded and approved by a show of hands.

Following the meeting, the newspaper requested a copy of the meeting’s attendance list but was refused.

Ramsdell repeated the statement that the roles of elected officials within HCO do not fall under the provisions of Maine’s Freedom of Access Act.

Another elected official countered that the meeting was a “gathering of neighbors” and should not be interpreted as a public meeting.

In a follow-up interview later in the week, Ramsdell respectfully disagreed with the Advertiser Democrat’s interpretation that, due to its leadership by elected officials and the presence of a quorum of the Planning Board, HCO is subject to Maine state law on open meetings.

He was asked for a statement about how HCO might change its position to conform with freedom of access statute language, and given opportunity to confer with his colleagues before this story was filed.

As of the newspaper’s print deadline Tuesday, there has been no reply.