PARIS – Two controversial ordinances created more heat for residents and selectmen Monday night.

Selectmen voted in favor of putting the issue of the town’s comprehensive plan and subdivision ordinance to referendums June 12.

Both votes were 3-2.

Barbara Payne, chairwoman of the board, argued in favor of the referendum. She said it would be more inclusive than a town meeting vote because the polls would be open for 12 hours and absentee voters could participate.

“A lot of people can’t go to town meeting because they have to work,” Town Manager Sharon Jackson said.

Selectmen Ernest Fitts and William Merrill voted against putting the ordinances to a referendum. Fitts said he didn’t believe the people participating in that type of vote would understand the ordinances as well as they should.

“I think you underestimate the people,” replied Payne.

The exchange marked the first of a series of heated disagreements between the two selectmen.

“If the people are so interested in this and the subdivision,” Fitts said during discussion of putting the comprehensive plan to referendum vote, “where have they been?”

After selectmen narrowly approved holding a referendum on the comprehensive plan, with Payne, Raymond Glover and Gerald Kilgore in favor, Fitts moved that selectmen not approve the next item, which would put the subdivision ordinance to a referendum.

“I don’t know why anybody would think the people who go to town meeting are the only ones who are informed,” Payne said.

Fitts said the subdivision ordinance would go before a “better class” of people at a town meeting. He quickly amended the statement, saying he meant a more informed group would be present.

The two motions had strong support from residents, though some expressed concerns over the ordinances themselves. Some had been present at the last selectmen’s meeting and argued townspeople did not have enough say in the two ordinances.

In the time allocated for citizens’ comments prior to the selectmen’s actions, Troy Ripley recommended putting off the referendum until later in the year to allow “input that results in some tangible changes.”

Ripley later accused Glover of saying public hearings on the ordinances would only allow residents to hear discussion of the issues and not let them voice their questions or concerns. Ripley brought this same concern before the board at their last meeting.

Payne said the public was able to contribute during public hearings, but not at committee meetings that followed them. Ripley replied that the committees needed to act in the best interests of the town, and again expressed his opinion that the vote would take place too early.

Prior to the controversial votes, selectmen approved a liquor license for Buffington and Truman LLC, Four Seasons Function Center, and Crazy Eight Billiards on Main Street. The request included a special entertainment application, which will allow the business to host bands and other entertainment events.

Selectmen also accepted the resignations of Chandler Briggs from the Appeals Board and Kelsey Jewell as Parks and Recreation director. Applications for Jewell’s replacement will be accepted until May 25 or until a qualified applicant is found.

Jackson gave the town manager’s update, the first three items of which praised the highway and fire departments for their work during the Patriot’s Day storm. She also said the town’s posted road signs would be taken down by the end of the week.

Selectmen approved a reordering of their meetings to avoid a conflict with Memorial Day. The next meeting of the selectmen will is 7 p.m. May 7 at the Town Office.