The Maine State Police and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department provide rural patrols.

NEW GLOUCESTER – Residents voted 85-6 Monday night not to hire a full-time police officer to patrol the town.

The vote came at the end of nearly three hours of discussion at the annual town meeting. It was the only article of the 19 on the warrant to be defeated. The law enforcement contract for one year would have been $115,000.

New Gloucester relies on rural patrols by the Maine State Police and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department. In 1989 voters disbanded the town’s police department.

Resident Roy Lowe, who served as town moderator for many years, pointed out that the article’s wording was improper. He said it only allows selectmen to enter a contract not to exceed $115,000, but fails to raise and appropriate funds to pay for the service.

Selectmen were caught off guard and grappled to find a legal way to fund the contract, opting to take the money from the town’s undesignated fund balance.

An effort to table the motion until next year’s town meeting failed.

Selectman Stephanie Bryan, a proponent of the plan, participated for more than two years in a regional law enforcement study initiative to share police services that failed. She said more patrols would improve security, prevent vandalism and reduce fatal accidents on Route 100.

However, resident Beth Sutherland argued that an informal survey to residents last year revealed that 70 percent of townspeople are satisfied with the current level of coverage and are not willing to pay for additional police protection.

Nancy Wilcox spoke against the proposal.

“I don’t think we need any more. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” she said.

Some residents say they are jittery about rising property tax bills based on the results of a recent townwide revaluation. The tax rate will be set this summer.

“I’m not in favor of adding $71 per year to my taxes,” Brian Whitney said.

Nancy Wilcox spoke out against funding $9,000 for a volunteer recognition dinner and employee picnic and Christmas party.

Efforts to reduce the account failed.

Voters authorized raising and spending $375,313 for selectmen, administration, town meetings, tax assessment, code enforcement, legal and unanticipated expenditures.

Voters approved setting aside $403,400 in capital reserve accounts and approved spending $578,080 for capital improvements.

Elderberry Lane was approved as a town road.