Edgecomb could vote on a referendum about St. Andrews Hospital either at the polls May 10 or at town meeting on May 11, Selectman and St. Andrews Task Force member Stuart Smith said. Either way, he predicted townspeople will favor keeping the hospital open.

Although parts of Edgecomb are near other hospitals, having one on the peninsula can only help with residents' safety, Smith said. The hospital's presence also helps attract and keep people and businesses, he said.

The task force is seeking the non-binding vote in all four peninsula towns.

Smith expects to bring up the matter to fellow Edgecomb selectmen later  in March. He might propose a town meeting vote rather than adding it to the election day ballot, if it looks like town meeting will draw more voters, he said.

Probably the only way the elections would outdraw town meeting is if any races are contested, Smith said.

More than half the voters who turned out to vote around the peninsula last November signed a Save St. Andrews Hospital petition. In Edgecomb, 21.97 percent of voters at the polls signed the petition.

Smith said all the residents he's been talking to want the hospital to stay.

If Edgecomb votes on the referendum at town meeting, Smith said he would prefer a secret ballot.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.