NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen on Monday approved expanding the town’s advisory Budget Committee to 11 members by a 3-1 vote.

Board Chairman Steve Libby voted against the motion made by Selectman Linda Chase. And, Selectman Mark Leighton, who moved to reconsider last July’s vote to expand the committee, was absent on Monday.

This resolved Leighton’s motion to reconsider that was brought before the board on Aug. 16. Leighton had voted to expand the committee on July 19 from a seven-member panel to 10.

Before Leighton’s motion to reconsider the new appointees, Sean Chayer, Jean Couturier and Melanie Craig were sworn in to serve during July for a one-year appointment.

Selectmen held off the final vote on the issue until now. The issue brought an outcry from some residents.

The budget group will review the town’s budget proposal next winter and make an advisory recommendation on each municipal funding request to selectmen.

During the audience-participation portion of the meeting, selectmen heard both pros and cons about expanding the committee size, as well as the process of how the committee appointments are made.

“This has raised a whole kettle of fish,” said resident Penny Hilton, who asked questions about how members are selected and how the selection process occurs.

Meanwhile, selectmen learned that a budget member who failed to attend meetings last year has a year left on his appointment and it’s uncertain if he ever resigned. Therefore, the committee may have eight members since another resident had been named to serve last year. Town Manager Sumner Field explained that an incorrect e-mail address was used to notify the member of meetings.

“You’ve got Pandora’s box in front of you,” said Melanie Craig, who had been sworn in for the slot in July. “I assign you to form a committee to study committees and come up with guidelines, not gray areas.”

Resident Pamela Slye, a former selectman, said the board should rescind the vote and return the group to 7 members. “We are all over the map.”

In other business, the board approved a cable television franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable.

This document will become effective on Jan. 1, 2011, and replaces a 2004 agreement. “This is like a lease agreement to allow the cable company to run wires down the town’s streets,” town attorney Pat Scully said. Franchise fees will be locked in at 2 percent for five years, then 2 1/2 percent and finally 4 percent paid to the town, Scully said.

And, Time Warner Cable must provide access to customers when there are 15 homes within a mile area.

The document spans a 10-year period.

Finally, newly elected public officials invited to attend the meeting met with the board.

Included were state Sen. Lois Snow-Mello of Poland, state Rep. Ellie Espling of New Gloucester, Cumberland County Charter Commission member David Lunt of New Gloucester, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce and Cumberland County Commissioner Susan Witonis.