HARRISON — Voters overwhelmingly endorsed a recent Board of Selectmen decision to divide the town into two districts for ambulance service at Wednesday night’s annual town meeting.

The need to “endorse” the 5-0 selectmen decision came as a bit of a mystery to some, including Selectman Eddie Rolfe.

“Over the years, this has probably been the most discussed item at town and selectmen’s meetings,” Rolfe said. “But this is the first time in my life I have seen an article asking you people to vote on something we’ve already voted on. I’m confused – and I’m on the board.”

Rolfe asked how it got to be an article, but there was no response.

Discussion lasted about a half-hour, followed by a 92-27 secret-ballot vote. Town Manager Brad Plante said that would be some time before the change goes into effect because arrangements with cell phone companies would have to be made.

Kathy LaPlante joined the board as a newly elected selectman, having defeated two others for the position vacated by Dan Schorr.

LaPlante got 317 votes at the polls on Tuesday, defeating Mike Morrisette and Arthur Chappell, who got 307 and 88 votes, respectively, Town Clerk Judith Colburn said.

Voter turnout was much higher than anticipated for a primary election, Colburn said Thursday. A total of 760 of the approximate 1,900 registered voters cast ballots, she said.

Earlier in the town meeting, a straw vote was taken to see if voters wanted to switch their town meeting next year to a Saturday. The vote failed, 28-47.

In other action, a voice vote favored the selectmen’s request to begin negotiations to pull out of the recycling contract with ecomaine, which was signed in 1986. Selectmen have questioned whether the town could get a better deal somewhere else. The town now pays more than $90,000 a year to the Portland recycling and landfill facility, plus $88 a ton for disposal,

“We’re getting hammered,” Plante said. “We pay $88 a ton, but the nonmember towns pay $72 and no one has been able to explain that to me. If you vote yes tonight, it allows us to negotiate. But whatever they come up with, we will have to come back to you. You are not authorizing us to make a deal.”

Colburn questioned where the town would dispose of trash if the separation from ecomaine were successful and urged the board to make that part of its discussion.

Mary Belden noted that the town had seen “a huge increase” in recycling since ecomaine went to a single stream.

“We don’t want to see that cut off in the future,” she said.

Voters also:

Created a capital improvement fund, designating $25,000 for a truck for the fire department, $30,000 for a vehicle storage building and $10,000 for a cruiser for the resident sheriff’s deputy.

Approved rebuilding, at a cost of $10,000, two compactors at the transfer station.

Approving a permanent Budget Committee, with appointments initially, followed by elections when the terms end.

Accepted the Twin Bridges Picnic Area from the state, and approved entering into a three-year maintenance agreement with the Western Maine Fish and Game Club at no cost to the town.

Made the code enforcement officer-assessing position full time at a cost of just over $50,000, which includes the outside assessing contract.

Accepted the selectmen’s recommendation for a reduction in the cost to the town of health care benefits for town employees.

Gave the fire department increased funding for stipends, thereby increasing the recommended amount from about $132,000 to $145,000

Approved the Budget Committee’s recommendation of $9,320 for outside agencies; selectmen had recommended no funding.

Amended the Public Works article to restore money for tree removal at Crystal Lake Park.

Approved the proposed town seal.

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