If the commissioners decide not to release the information, they have five working days to respond in writing, giving reasons why they believe it is not public information. The newspaper's request was submitted Friday, January 17.

The commissioners previously turned down a similar request for the information made by Ginger Wehrle, a resident who lives in a neighborhood near the Skillin property, reportedly the number one site under consideration. The property, about 40 acres of land, is located behind the Yellowfront Grocery store and the Irving Gas Station on Route 1.

Commissioners denied the earlier request because they say the state's Freedom of Public Access law "provides an exception to disclosure if premature disclosure of the information would prejudice the competitive or bargaining position of the body or agency," according to a letter to Wehrle written by county clerk Nancy Giles.

"For reasons which we feel would compromise our bargaining position we are unable to meet your request at this time," the letter said.

Wiscasset selectmen learned at their Tuesday night meeting that their request has also been denied by the county. Town manager David Kinney said he checked with the Maine Municipal Association which pointed out the same exception the commissioners had pointed to in refusing Wehrle's' request.

Several selectmen questioned the county's stance that their bargaining position would be compromised, since members of the Skillin family attended a selectmen's meeting on the jail last fall, and openly talked about their interest in selling the land for a jail.

"The sellers seem pretty open about this," said selectman Mike Blagdon.

"I don't think people are necessarily opposed to a jail, but I question the way this has been handled. This has been a very secretive process."

Looking out into the audience at Wehrle, Blagdon said, "We told a group of people four months ago we would try to get some answers on this, but we haven't. We're supposed to be the overseers of the town."

Blagdon was referring to a selectmen's meeting last fall which was attended by a group of people who live in the neighborhood behind the Skillin property.

"There's probably a lot of things they could tell us," Blagdon said. "If we're going to be the host town, maybe they could at least tell us why Wiscasset is the best choice."

John Blagdon agreed, saying the county should remember all the free services the town of Wiscasset provides to the county, including fire protection and ambulance service.

Blagdon said when he read that the jail sites wouldn't be released, "it made my hair stand up on end."

"Why can't they level with us?" he asked. "They're going to be taking away taxable property."

Selectman Steve Jarrett said the jail committee has released a great deal of information since they first started meeting.

"Maybe part of the problem is they (the joint jail committee) started discussing this two or three years ago, so this has been a very slow process," Selectman Katharine Martin-Savage said.

"I assume Mr. Pontau is going to the meetings and that he's going to keep us informed," she said, referring to former selectman Bob Pontau who is a member of the committee and the jail site subcommittee.

Kinney said even if Pontau had some information about the sites, "he wouldn't be able to talk about it."

Martin-Savage suggested that this could be done in a closed (executive) session.

"I don't think you could do that," Kinney said.

"I think they could be a little more open with us," said selectman Chuck Applebee.

"You should only use exceptions to the right to know law when you absolutely have to," Applebee said. "You don't have to throw everything under a blanket. The town used to do this, now the county is doing it."

Budget committee member Dick Grondin said, "I would like to see one or more of our selectmen go to one of their meetings and tell them how we feel."