CARTHAGE – The vast majority of the 60 or so residents at Monday’s annual town meeting overwhelmingly voted down this town’s first Comprehensive Plan.

“We don’t want anyone telling us what to do with our land,” said Melody Bowie, echoing the sentiments of many of those attending the meeting.

Selectman Bill Houghton, prior to the vote, told voters that the 28-page document was purely advisory.

“With the plan, you have a chance to control what happens in town. As more nonresidents move in, they will pass something,” he said.

First Selectman Steve Brown said after the meeting that the contract with the state had been fulfilled with the writing of the document.

Now, with the defeat, residents may not have a chance to plan for the town’s future as they may want.

“They had their opportunity to design the plan the way they wanted it, they had their chance, but some people are not ready to have a comprehensive plan,” he said.

Earlier in the meeting, Brown was re-elected to a ninth, three-year term.

Selectman Brenda Flagg, a member of the Comprehensive Plan Committee that has been meeting for more than two years to develop the document with the help of the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, was disappointed in the results.

“This isn’t a very good feeling for all the hard work,” she said.

One of the recommendations of the plan, to look for a way to provide more activities for the town’s youth, will likely go ahead anyway.

A Recreation Committee is expected to be formed at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at the Town Office. Four people have already shown interest in serving on the committee. More are invited to join.

In just over 70 minutes, residents approved all money articles, raising about $139,500, up about 10 percent from last year’s adopted municipal budget of $127,000.

More money is needed for the fire department, for fuel and insurance costs, and to dispose of garbage and recyclables.

Residents approved spending $1,000 for the River Valley Growth Council, $200 for the River Valley Chamber of Commerce, and $4,000 to erect signs associated with the new E-911 emergency communication system and to chip and seal several town roads.

William Skidgell was elected to his first, full, three-year term on the SAD 21 board. He filled out the remaining year of David Crutchfield.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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