DURHAM – Voters Wednesday night turned down articles to allow more building permits and more money to pay for bridge repairs and office expenses.

A crowd of 227 residents jammed the fire station Wednesday night for what was believed to be a record-long special town meeting of more than three hours.

A proposal by the Comprehensive Plan Committee to add updated data to the 2002 Comprehensive Plan was defeated 145-57. Other language would have allowed subdivisions approved before March 2002 to obtain building permits as though they were in the growth district through to March 2006. Currently a total of 45 permits are issued annually, of which only 15 are available outside the growth districts.

Also defeated were requests to transfer $8,500 from the Bridge Reserve Account for already-completed Shiloh Road Bridge repairs; and $4,437 from the capital reserve account and fund balance for office expenses. The money was needed for higher than anticipated insurance and workers compensation costs and to replace a malfunctioning town office computer.

Larrabee Construction was awarded a three-year snow plow contract by a narrow margin. The company was the lone bidder.

It was voted to appropriate $750 for the operations of the Eureka Community Center and to spend $2,500 for a used emergency vehicle from North Yarmouth for first responders. Fire Chief Bill St. Michel said the box ambulance with dual wheels needed work but had much less mileage and was a better vehicle than the current van-type the department has.

St. Michel acknowledged that maybe it is time for first responders to transport patients instead of contracting with an out-of-town ambulance. “”We have qualified people, more than enough,”” he said.

Also approved was $4,050 to replace Germaine D’Amours salt-contaminated well on Royalsborough Road. Some thought the snow plow contractor should be responsible, while others thought the state should.

Selectmen said the town has no choice because of state law.