CARRABASSETT VALLEY – By a 30-vote margin, the proposed $1.2 million library/community center won backing during Wednesday’s town meeting.

An article asking voters to approve the center based on a committee raising half of the amount needed passed 146-116, said Town Clerk Wendy Russell on Thursday.

Incumbent selectman George Abbott lost his seat on the board to John “Jay” Reynolds by a vote of 153-105, she said.

School board candidates Kathi Gray and incumbent Earle Morse were elected. Gray received 211 votes and Morse, 208.

Sanitary District Trustee Robert Briggs was elected to another three-year term with 247 votes, she said.

Approximately 150 citizens made their way through 57 articles in about 45 minutes Wednesday when the town meeting reconvened at the Outdoor Center, said Selectman Lloyd Cutler. The center was voted on at last year’s town meeting. This was a first viewing of the building for some, he said.

“We have a unique town and our town meetings go so well,” he said. “Our citizens get involved during the year with town committees and between our public hearings and the town manager putting out so much information, people come to the meeting informed,” he said.

Three public hearings were held on the library proposal, said Town Manager Dave Cota Thursday. While there were some who didn’t feel the town needed a new library and others who wanted the library but didn’t think the town should be involved in providing an employee child care center as part of the community center, the vote was favorable but the committee has a long way to go, he said. Cota anticipates the final proposal on the project will be brought before the town in 2009.

“This is just the beginning,” said August French, library committee member. “We’re excited that the town supports us.”

The library committee is in the process of choosing an architect who will work with the committee to develop the concept further.

Additional public hearings will be held to receive people’s input.

Voters also approved reserving up to $200,000 from the undesignated fund for up to three years for the project. In approaching large donors, the capital campaign committee will be more credible when donors know the town has put money behind the project, he said.

The New Library Committee has raised just shy of $200,000, French said, but was pleased that the town approved reserving up to $200,000 for the project. The town support is a bonus, she said.

Voters also approved spending $270,000 for a combination pumper/tanker firetruck with a 2,000 gallon water capacity, he said. The town will sell the 1994 pumper truck and a 1987 tanker truck. The purchase will complete a seven-year plan for the department to reduce the number of large trucks from five to three and use more versatile vehicles, he said.

Other articles passed quickly with little or no discussion, he added.