HARRISON — In a community where municipal officials and employees have been beset by stalking, harassment, smear campaigns while false accusations have affected fellow residents as well as contractors of multimillion dollar projects, a new organized effort has emerged to engage Harrison’s Board of Selectmen, find common ground and establish transparency.

Mike Garvey, a resident of Harrison since 2020, launched a citizens’ initiative in December. He organized a community meeting, held on Dec. 9 which was attended by as many as 60 residents, as well as a private Facebook page that quickly garnered more 250 followers.

Garvey serves on Harrison’s Planning Board. Four others elected to that board, including its Chairman James Dayton; Vice-Chairman Scott Ramsdell; Larry Farmer; and Alternate Wendy Gallant, are also stakeholders in HCO.

Organized to follow Roberts Rules of Order, the Advertiser Democrat has learned that on Dec. 9 HCO voted to establish priorities to individually address during Harrison Select Board meetings, which are held the second Thursday of each month.

Approved in a vote by HCO members, the first matter to be brought to selectmen was a request to the town’s 2022 annual audit, and an accompanying special audit that had been conducted at the Select Board’s request. Garvey was selected as spokesman to request the audit be released during the board’s Dec. 12 meeting.

During the first HCO meeting Garvey urged attendees to put aside the vitriol that has marred town politics for the last three or four years and focus on working with the Select Board and Town Manager Cass Newell to address concerns in a productive fashion. But he has his work cut out for him, as at least one resident thought the meeting a good venue to circulate a petition of no confidence against Newell.

On Dec. 16 Garvey presented the Select Board with a Freedom of Access Act request for the audit results.

Frank responded that the annual audit has been released on the town’s website, but under the guidance of the auditor he is withholding the summary of the special audit.

The second HCO meeting was held Dec. 30 in the meeting space above the Harrison Food Bank on Waterford Road.

Garvey was absent, leaving Ramsdell to facilitate. The Advertiser Democrat attended the meeting at Garvey’s invitation.

A Harrison resident (left) emphasizes a point during an exchange with Select Board Chair Matt Frank Dec. 30, during a newly organized citizens group meeting, held at 176 Waterford Road. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

Frank was also in attendance at the invitation of Ramsdell.

Much of the meeting’s two hours were devoted to Frank holding the mic and answering questions from the 20 or so residents in attendance.

There was no written agenda distributed, but in keeping with the objectives outlined on Dec. 9, discussion largely focused on establishing a citizens’ budget and finance committee.

The result was a motion that was moved, seconded and approved for HCO to request organizing such a committee be placed on the agenda for tonight’s Select Board’s meeting.

The agenda request was submitted via email to the board by Ramsdell and reads:

“The Harrison Community Organization respectfully requests that the Board approve the establishment of the Harrison Municipal Finance Committee and take the necessary steps to form and operationalize the committee at the next Select Board meeting on Jan. 9, 2025.

To ensure a broad range of expertise and perspectives, the HFMC will be composed of the following members. Community representatives will be appointed:

We urge the board to initiate the formation of this committee as early as this month to facilitate the soonest engagement in the town’s budget process and subsequent activities.

Chair: Community resident to be elected by the committee.

Community Representatives: Three or four members from the community at large, including residents with backgrounds in business, law, finance, or economics.

Municipal Officials: To be determined (e.g. Finance Officer)

Additionally, Non-voting members may consist of a Select Board member as sponsor or liaison [sic], municipal auditor, state supported organization member. (MMA, GPCOG)”

HCO’s request is on the Jan. 9 meeting agenda under New Business.

Ramsdell posted his agenda request on HCO’s Facebook page on Tuesday, also writing that he anticipates a close decision from selectmen on the group’s finance committee proposal and encouraging residents to attend tonight’s meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. in the town office conference room.