Residents at the annual town meeting turned down a proposed ordinance that would have slowed growth on the town’s west side.

The intent of the growth ordinance, said selectman Joan Mooney, was to limit the number of building permits that can be issued in parts of town that are not serviced by public water and sewer lines.

But residents voted strongly against the ordinance, so there will be no limits on growth this year, Mooney said.

The town’s $14.6 million budget was passed, with a few minor modifications.
Residents also approved a $1.3 million project to replace the sea wall at Webhannet Drive, which sustained heavy damage during storms over the past two years.

The town meeting, held at Wells High School, included balloting on Friday and a moderated discussion on Saturday, which drew about 100 people.

James Spiller was re-elected as a selectman, beating Russell Fox and Richard Lambert in the only contested municipal race.

A moment of silence was held Saturday for Harold Pauk Jr., the longtime manager of the town transfer station, who committed suicide earlier this month at the facility.

YORK — About a dozen budget items at Saturday’s town meeting sparked such lengthy discussions that motions were made from the floor to limit debate and vote on the issue.

“It was an interesting meeting,” said Town Clerk Andy Bors. “A lot of people asked a lot of questions.”

Of the 85 budget items, voters rejected an ordinance that would “require subdivision of large tracts of land to be designated as cluster developments.”
“People felt that it infringed on the rights of larger landowners to subdivide their land,” Bors said.

About 95 residents approved an estimated $2.1 million municipal budget.
Voters decided to raise $75,725 for the rescue department; $6,815 for the Ross Corner Fire Co., and $15,500 for dispatch services. Residents also agreed to raise $125,000 for maintaining winter roads and $63,000 to replenish the sand and salt stockpile.

In elections, voters re-elected David Burns to another three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Anthony Palminteri was elected to the board of directors for School Administrative District 57. He will serve the final year of a three-year term. Brenda LaFrance was re-elected to the SAD 57 board of directors for a three-year term.

LIMERICK — About 60 people at Saturday’s town meeting voted to raise $936,171 and increase the snow removal budget.

The municipal budget represents a $35,639 decrease from last year’s budget, said Board of Selectman Chair Debra Stitson. A portion of the decrease can be attributed to tipping fees for municipal solid waste, which decreased by $8,000.
Residents voted to increase the cost to remove snow from sidewalks, snowbanks, and intersections by $5,000 to $20,000. They also agreed to raise an additional $5,000 to remove snow from the sidewalk on Washington Street.

“It was a wonderful meeting. We had a lot of people there. We were afraid the weather would keep people away,” Stitson said. “There weren’t too many changes.”

Residents voted to raise $3,700 to update the comprehensive plan; $79,900 for door-to-door trash and recycling pickup; and $38,000 for the salary of an intermediate EMT firefighter for the Limerick Fire Station. They also decided to raise an additional $10,000 for the fire department’s operating budget for capital improvement projects.

In elections, Kimberly Oliver was elected as selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor for a three-year term. She won the seat by a large margin over Joanne Andrews, who had 137 votes and Kevin Neyer, who got 32 votes. John Medici was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors for School Administrative District 57. Three secret ballot citizens petitions to change the zoning ordinance failed by large margins.