HARRISON – Taking about an hour and 45 minutes, about 80 voters passed 24 articles on the annual town meeting warrant Wednesday night.

The article for funding outside agencies received the most discussion. The Budget Committee, made up of selectmen and five residents, recommended raising $11,141.50 for 15 organizations, a reduction from last year’s $24,625.

A group calling itself Citizens Concerned About Harrison Families provided flyers urging voters to restore the full requests of the organizations and increasing the funds to $20,625. A motion to approve that amount was brought before the floor, and later amended to add $250 for Project Graduation.

Moderator Walter Riseman said funding recommendations for the organizations are based on what services they offer and how many residents in the towns rely on them.

“This has always been a difficult area for the town to deal with,” Riseman said.

State Rep. Richard Sykes, R-Harrison, said many of the groups receive county benefits, and the requests of the town were “double-dipping.”

Selectman Eddie Rolfe, who was elected Tuesday, said more benefits were not fair to residents who give to charitable organizations.

“This is double taxation,” Rolfe said. “This is not the duty of the town.”

Representatives from the Lakes Environmental Association, Children’s Health Center and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice spoke on behalf of their organizations. Rob Hatch, executive director of the Children’s Health Center, said the organizations receive funding from a variety of sources.

“No one program is exclusively funded by one direct source,” Hatch said.

Resident Richard Beauchesne recommended that the funding be passed, saying cuts would affect those who need the services the most. He also cited difficult economic times.

“The rate in charitable interests and giving all but dries up,” he said.

A motion to address each of the 15 organizations individually was defeated, and the appropriation was passed.

Voters also approved amendments to the town’s shoreland zoning and building permit requirements ordinances. Homestead Lane, part of the Homestead subdivision, was accepted as a town road.

Town Manager Michael Thorne, who is retiring after 21 years, expressed his gratitude to the town.

“I’m going to miss the town immensely. I’m going to miss all of you,” Thorne said. “You’ve been my family for 21 years, and you’ll always be my family.”

Sykes presented Thorne with a legislative recognition for his work. Brad Plante will begin serving as town manager July 1.

Riseman also recognized Tony Hazelton, who is retiring as the chief of the Harrison Fire Department after 25 years.