OTISFIELD – Voters in this community approved articles to maintain their quality of life during the annual town meeting Saturday.

Selectman Lenny Adler noted the selectmen and Comprehensive Planning Committee had issues that were worked out.

“It is a good plan for the town to move forward for the next 10 years,” Adler said. “I hope the townspeople will support this and show support for the people who worked so hard on it.”

Resident Maureen Howard asked about the differences that were worked out between the two groups. Comprehensive Plan Committee chair Jim Bishop said there were three changes made to the updated plan as a result of the differences.

The changes were: adding wording that the growth plan was left out because the topography in the community does not require it, changing the wording in the formation of a Town Government Committee to exclude only elected officials and for that committee to be appointed, and the Capital Improvement Plan, which was inadvertently left out, was included.

Residents raised concerns over the lack of growth management in the plan.

Committee member Win Webster explained the community is not setup to designate a growth area. He noted there is no town sewer, water or post office.

“A growth area was left out because it is not in the character of our rural town,” Webster said. “It is a good plan for Otisfield and a good plan for us to grow with.”

Residents agreed and accepted the updated plan. They were also agreeable to preserving the quality of water in lakes in the community. Voters approved an article calling for $4,000 for the Pleasant Lake/Parker Pond Association to aid in the fight to keep invasive milfoil out of the two waterways with minimal discussion.

They debated the article calling for $5,000 to assist with the Thompson Lake Youth Conservation Corps before approval.

Resident Dave Hankins explained the funds are used to keep non-point pollution out of the lake.

“The money is used to keep pollution from draining into the lake,” he said.

Resident Lynn Robinson suggested the property owners pay for erosion repairs.

Residents questioned why the selectmen and Budget Committee made no recommendation on the article and Adler said he agreed with Robinson.

“We are neutral on this,” Adler said. “I think people should take care of their own property.”

“The Budget Committee did not support this article because we feel tax dollars should not be used on private property,” said Budget Committee chair Mike Thorne. “I don’t think taxpayers should foot the bill for private property.”

After Bishop noted many landowners don’t know what to do and often cannot do the work that needs to be done, residents approved funding the $5,000.