A Lewiston city councilor is sharply criticizing the city’s School Committee after it voted last Monday to block an investigation into whether member Iman Osman legally resides in the district he represents.
That decision, which hinged on a single vote, paired with clear conflict-of-interest concerns and triggered frustration among residents, which prompted Councilor Tim Gallant to accuse the school board of failing its duty to provide transparency.
“They failed the public,” Gallant said on Tuesday.
The School Committee’s decision last Monday has become the latest flashpoint in Lewiston’s ongoing debates over ethics, residency requirements and proper parliamentary procedure.
Osman Votes Against Investigating His Own Residency
Last Monday’s meeting was centered on a motion to open a formal investigation into concerns that Osman may not live in the ward he represents, a requirement under city and School Committee rules.
Osman lists his residency at 210 Blake Street in Lewiston. That same address was condemned in October 2024 after a federal drug raid. Lewiston code does not allow a person to live in a condemned building. Osman refuses to disclose where he lives.
Citing multiple reasons, including his personal safety at risk. The Lewiston Police Department have no report of Osman filing of any such concerns.
Instead of recusing himself, Osman voted against the motion to investigate his own eligibility to serve.
Gallant cited Robert’s Rules of Order, which state members must abstain from voting in matters where they have a direct personal interest. Osman did not.
Eames Votes With Osman – Despite Past Political Ties – Harriman Seals Deal
School Committee member Elizabeth Eames, who previously served as Osman’s campaign manager during his City Council run, also voted against opening the investigation.
Residents immediately questioned why Eames participated in the vote despite her close political relationship with Osman.
City Councilor Scott Harriman, the council’s elected representative on the School Committee and a current candidate for state representative, also voted against the residency investigation.
This decision drew sharper criticism because Harriman has repeatedly complained about lacking adequate information on School Committee matters. Yet, he voted against initiating a process that would have gathered the necessary information about Osman’s residency status.
His vote helped defeat the motion.
Clarification: Harriman Acts as a Full School Committee Member
City Clerk Kathleen Montejo clarified various points about the Council’s representative on the Committee during the meeting .
The School Committee representative is chosen by the full City Council, not appointed by the mayor, she said. Then, she added, the representative takes a second oath during inauguration to become an official School Committee member. Once sworn in, she explained, the representative has access to all School Committee materials, including confidential documents.
The City Council cannot direct how that member votes, Montejo stressed. These points cast some doubt over Harriman’s protests of ignorance on internal committee matters.
[RELATED: Sparks Fly at Confrontational Lewiston School Committee Monday Night]
Gallant Responds: “Improper. Foolish. Embarrassing.”
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilor Tim Gallant sharply condemned the School Committee’s decision.
“The same member (Harriman) who said he wasn’t getting adequate information voted against getting information,” Gallant said. “That seems really foolish.”
He told the council the committee failed the public by refusing to even gather basic facts.
“This was handled improperly,” Gallant said. “The public deserves answers.”
He also indicated he will support a motion urging Harriman to reconsider his vote.
Harriman offered no response or explanation of his vote during Tuesday nights meeting.
The public reaction was immediate. On Lewiston Matters a FaceBook page, residents and incoming officials praised Gallant’s stance:
“Tim is bringing it!!! Thank you to the councilor from Ward 7,” wrote resident Bret Martel on Facebook. “THANK YOU, Timothy Gallant, 👏👏👏👏 I agree with your public comments 💯,” wrote another resident, Janelle Turcotte.
What Comes Next?
The School Committee has given no indication it plans to revisit the vote, despite mounting public pressure. The city council and Mayor Carl Sheline took no action on Tuesday on Gallant’s concerns.
Many Lewiston residents and officials are now calling for a legal review of recusals, clearer ethics policies, a new, conflict-free vote and, more broadly, greater transparency from School Committee leadership.
