A petition drive has started for Wiscasset voters to be able to decide whether or not to keep the Wiscasset Police Department’s school resource officer, according to resident Janet Smith.

Selectmen on April 21 decided not to put the position in the June budget offer. They have not yet given the warrant its final review and signing.

“The reason (the petition) was started is because I and several other taxpayers felt it is the taxpayers’ right to say how they want their tax dollars spent, and after sitting in the meeting for several hours, felt dismissed and unheard,” Smith writes in an April 23 email to the Wiscasset Newspaper.

”I don't know if the article and funding will pass or not pass at the polls. That is not the point, but believe the citizens and taxpayers should be the ones to make that decision,” Smith writes.

The petition is available at Wiscasset High School, the Wiscasset Police Department and Wiscasset Community Center, according to Wiscasset High Principal Cheri Towle.

“I am proud of the citizens of Wiscasset acting on this petition,” Towle writes in an email response to the Wiscasset Newspaper’s request for comment. “They recognize the importance of their voice in this matter. One of the skills the high school students have heard a great deal about this year is how their voice is a powerful tool. They are learning to advocate for themselves, ask questions about their education and collaborate with their teachers to demonstrate their learning. Voice is a very important part of this country.

“Regardless of how the vote turns out, I am hopeful that 177 people will come out to sign the petition. I think it is important that the citizens ... be able to vote on whether our schools have a SRO. Knowing how much the SRO has benefited students, families and teachers this year, I believe the ($47,400) is well worth the expense,” Towle continues. “I hope that the taxpayers ... can agree with me.

“Our students deserve to feel safe, have access to resources, build trusting relationships with law enforcement, and be educated in crime prevention and safety.”

The statutory deadline for the warrant to be completed is at the close of business, at 5 p.m., Monday, April 28, Town Clerk Christine Wolfe said. To get a question on the warrant, a petition needs 177 signatures, which equals 10 percent of the voters in the last gubernatorial election, Wolfe said.

Selectmen will meet to review the warrant at 5 p.m. Friday, April 24 at the municipal building, Town Manager Marian Anderson states in an email announcement on April 23. The board has also tentatively scheduled a 4:45 p.m., Monday, April 28, meeting.

“If the Board concludes their business on the evening of Friday, April 24, Monday’s meeting may be canceled,” Anderson’s email states.

Selectmen’s Chairman Pam Dunning did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment on the petition.