LIVERMORE – It took a small number of generally agreeable citizens only about 90 minutes to approve 51 articles on their annual town meeting warrant Wednesday night at the Brettuns Community Building.

Moderator Darryl Brown had little problem maintaining order as the small group of 30 residents questioned several items but appeared generally satisfied with answers provided by town officials.

One change was made to Article 10, a routine item that asked for the income and balances in nine accounts, such as excise tax, to be used to lower taxes.

Voters approved a change that removed the cable television franchise fees from the list and donated those funds to Channel 7, the local public access channel.

The most controversy came on Article 26, which sought $28,219 for a one-year contract with Franklin Memorial Hospital for ambulance services. The amount was approved, with the controversy coming on an amendment to enter into a three-year contract. It was defeated, 16-14.

Voters in some cases approved the selectpersons’ recommendations rather than those of the Budget Committee. The board had asked for $26,870 for fire protection so the chief and assistant could be paid stipends of $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. “They have tons of paperwork and are putting in a lot of time.” said Selectperson John Wakefield.

In another Fire Department-related article, citizens agreed to take funds for a possible federal matching grant from surplus. Firefighters are hoping to obtain a new pumper from the federal program.

Selectpersons also noted that they had increased the salary of the administrative assistant under Article 15. Wakefield noted that the salary is far below what is paid in a town the size of Livermore.

Voters approved Article 20, which allows the purchase of a new computer to handle the new property valuations that will be available on computer rather than on paper. The property-information software will also be upgraded, said Administrative Assistant Kurt Schaub.

The town plans to have on-line access to motor vehicle information and hunting and fishing licenses when the state is ready for it to do so, Schaub said.

In addition to the monetary articles, voters approved a revised dog control ordinance, which will allow local enforcement, and added a new section to the building ordinance, on permit fees.