Barring non-residents from Wiscasset’s airport advisory committee passes over taxpayers who are qualified and should be represented, longtime committee member Steve Williams argues in a letter to two town panels.

“(Plane and hangar owners) are the airport’s core customer base and support the airport, the town and local businesses,” the pilot tells selectmen and the ordinance review committee (ORC).

The April 20 letter is the latest turn in a months-long debate as the board and ORC have worked on possible changes to a town rule that restricts the airport panel to residents.

Williams has remained appointed and serving on the airport panel for six years. He’s a taxpayer with a hangar at the airport and property next to the airport. But he lives in Georgetown.

Selectmen’s Chairman Ben Rines Jr. said people must not have been paying attention to the ordinance when Williams volunteered for the committee.

Plans call for a town vote June 14 on whether or not to let one non-resident each on the airport and waterfront committees, as non-voting members, Rines said.

In a phone interview Saturday, Rines said he disagrees with the ordinance change but, as a compromise in the selectmen’s talks, agreed to offer it to voters.

Rines plans to vote no on the ballot question. Only residents should serve, even if that leaves seats vacant, he said.

He has seen Williams’ letter but is not swayed. The letter is irrelevant, because the real issue is residents’ apathy toward serving on committees, Rines said.

His position has nothing to do with Williams or any non-resident wanting to contribute, he said. Anyone can come to a committee meeting, Rines added.

Filling committees with residents didn’t used to be a problem, even when Wiscasset’s population was smaller; and appointing non-residents will not make more residents volunteer, he said. “We the people of the town should be able to fill those spots. I will not surrender to apathy.”

Williams’ letter points to the airport panel’s limited role, making recommendations but having no charge over policies or spending.

Selectmen’s review of new members is another part of the system of checks and balances, the letter continues. 

“As a member ... I along with the other committee members have helped to establish Wiscasset as an essential general aviation facility serving the business and recreational needs of the mid-coast region,” Williams writes.

In an email response to questions Saturday, Williams addresses the part of the proposal that leaves the non-resident member out of committee votes. If a member invests their time and energy, they should have a vote, he writes.

A seat with no vote is harder to fill, and cannot break a tie, Williams adds.

Williams’ email also cites a number of current vacancies on town panels. “It’s time that Wiscasset  explore alternative ways to staff these committees.”

All town spending, not just at the airport, affects him like it does any other taxpayer, he writes.

The ORC had reviewed the ordinance at selectmen’s request. The version the ORC gave the board would have let the non-resident members vote with the committees.