NORWAY — During public comments, a resident complained to the Select Board about a proposal to consolidate the elementary schools in Maine School Administration District 17.

The school board has proposed a consolidation plan to build a larger elementary school, largely financed by the state, to replace elementary schools in Norway, Harrison, Waterford and West Paris.

A vote by the eight towns that make up SAD 17 — West Paris, Norway, Harrison, Paris, Waterford, Hebron, Oxford and Otisfield — is scheduled for November.

Calling the idea unfair, the resident said last week that each town was supposed to have its own elementary school when the district was initially formed.

Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway is one of the older schools in the district and has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.

“I hope the selectpeople are interested enough in the situation so they get involved and check on these things,” he said.

He added that he believes the consolidation plan will be expensive, including more busing.  The advantage of local elementary schools is that students can walk to school, he added.

Board member Sarah Carter called the situation “complicated,” adding that the district “must follow a process that’s been established.”

“As a board, there is not a lot that we can do,” Chairperson Russell Newcomb said. “But we will definitely be asking questions.”

In other business, interim Town Manager Jeffrey Campbell said the snowplow the town just purchased was struck and damaged by an SUV. While the plow is still operative, officials are working with insurance to repair the new machine.

The board agreed to allocate the remaining $37,303.65 in American Rescue Plan Funds for equipment for the wastewater plant.