HARRISON — On the heels of Town Manager Cass Newell’s resignation earlier this month, the fallout from residents’ displeasure with their local government continued last week when Select Board Chairperson Matthew Frank and member Colleen Densmore stepped down.

Harrison Select Board Chairman Matthew Frank speaks Dec. 30, 2024, during a meeting of residents in the Harrison Food Bank’s conference room at 176 Waterford Road. Frank resigned from the Select Board Jan. 23. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat file

Both handed in their resignations Jan. 23 and both were accepted the following day by Vice Chairman Phil Devlin, Deborah Kane and Nate Sessions during a special board meeting.

Densmore and Frank confirmed their resignations. Densmore cited health reasons.

In his letter, Frank referenced “toxic attitudes and abhorrent behavior” that have poisoned the town. “If my resignation will reduce the passion and allow the town to hit the ‘reset button’ I am willing to do that,” he wrote.

Frank also resigned from the Board of Assessors, Downtown Revitalization Committee and Education Options Committee, which is researching whether to secede from Maine School Administrative District 17 based in Paris.

A letter from Harrison Select Board Chairman Matthew Frank announces his resignation Jan. 23 to the Select Board. Frank also resigned from all municipal boards and committees. Submitted photo

While Newell took the brunt of residents’ discontent, which included hostile exchanges during selectmen’s meetings, harassment on the job and stalking outside of it, Frank has also been targeted recently. This fall he began holding weekly walk-in sessions at the Town Office to give people a chance for one-on-one discussions about concerns. He also attended the Dec. 30, 2024, meeting of the Harrison Citizens Organization, a group of local activists created by Planning Board members.

Another special meeting was held Jan. 22 for an executive session on “personnel matters.” That resulted in the board voting to contract with Portland law firm Eaton Peabody to conduct a search for a permanent replacement for Newell.

The Harrison Citizens Organization’s mission is to influence its local government and increase its transparency.

In January, the Select Board agreed to its request to create a budget and finance committee comprised of residents and elected officials. Its next stated priority is to place the organization’s representatives on a town manager hiring committee.

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