LIVERMORE — Voters approved terminating a recycling agreement and enacted a marijuana moratorium ordinance at a special town meeting Tuesday night.

Oxford County Regional Recycling Corp. formed over 20 years ago. Last July, 12 of the 15 remaining towns voted to dissolve the corporation because of insufficient volume to remain cost-effective.

To meet the terms of the arrangement, a written ballot with a two-thirds majority vote was needed. Only 58 percent of voters approved dissolving the corporation during November’s general election.

Many voters did not understand what was being asked of them, so the special town meeting was called to allow questions prior to the vote.

“The town pays dues now of about $9,000,” Board of Selectpersons Chairman Mark Chretien said. “If we get away from the corporation, we will save close to $4,000.”

The vote was 23-0 in favor of terminating the agreement, effective July 1.

Another article asked voters to enact the Moratorium Ordinance on Retail Marijuana Establishments and Retail Marijuana Social Clubs.

One resident asked what exactly the ordinance means.

“It would give the town time to sort through a lot of unknowns,” Selectperson Tom Gould said. “It would give the Planning Board time to review how it is going to address it.”

Selectperson Timothy Kachnovich said the state hasn’t figured it out yet.

“Why do we need the moratorium if we’re waiting on the state, anyway?” resident Robin Staples asked.

Gould said the town wants to be prepared in case Gov. Paul LePage makes rules.

Administrative Assistant Amy Byron said if the ordinance wasn’t in place, the town would have no grounds to say a recreational marijuana business couldn’t go in next to a school or a church.

Gould said the ordinance would give the town 180 days to review the issue. If needed, the ordinance can be extended another 180 days.

No one voiced opposition to the motion. The new ordinance is effective immediately.

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