NEW GLOUCESTER – Selectmen on Monday refused an amendment to the community access television ordinance to allow candidates for election to use the local cable channel.

“We found that media coverage of candidates at the local level is extremely limited at the present time, and feel that NGTV is the ideal vehicle by which to fill the void,” the New Gloucester Cable Television Committee’s cable committee told selectmen. Candidates would have been invited by the committee to present their backgrounds, qualifications and reasons for running for office. The cable station would have run the programs no more than five times per week and only six weeks of less before election.

In December, the group was told by selectmen that the endless blitz of television and mailed political ads was excessive and opposed using the local cable channel.

A 5-0 vote scratched only the section dealing with candidates. The ordinance will go to the town attorney for review.

In other business, the board dedicated this year’s town report to former state Sen. Lois Snowe Mello of Poland.

“We could always count on Lois as a town. She was the hardest working House and Senate representative serving New Gloucester,” Chairman Lenora Conger said.

Resident Jeffrey Snipe’s request to post the Outlet Road with “No Engine Brakes” signs from Route 26 to the Snow Hill Road was nixed for safety reasons.