MINOT — Two mass-gathering ordinances were voted on at the annual town meeting Saturday morning, and both failed in a public vote. 

In January, John Hicks, promoter of the Great North Music Festival, and Michael Hemond of Hemond Motocross Park, asked the Board of Selectmen to approve a mass-gathering permit, but after complaints and concerns from residents, the board tabled the topic. 

Instead, two ordinances were put on the annual town meeting agenda that would give the town its own mass-gathering ordinance. It previously had used the state’s ordinance. 

These ordinances were added in response to complaints of loud music into early-morning hours that could be heard well beyond Hemond’s Motocross Park, where the festival was held. 

Two versions of a mass-gathering ordinance were placed on the town meeting budget, with the only difference being the time noise would have to stop. 

Article 7, the first proposal, reads, “Noise shall cease at 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Noise shall cease at 12 a.m. (midnight) Saturdays and Sundays. Noise shall not commence on any day before 9 a.m.”

Article 8, the second proposal, reads, “Noise shall cease at 1 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.” 

The first version failed, 38-51; the second vote failed, 42-47. 

Town Clerk Sara Farris said the result of the votes were not discussed at the meeting.

“Not sure what they’ll do next, but the board will probably go back and have more public meetings,” she said. 

Two people ran for one open selectman position and the town cast 41 votes for Eda Tripp and 14 voted for Nicholas Farris. 

Julie Rioux was voted in for the three-year school board term with 48 votes. 

Lisa Dulac was voted in for the one-year school board term with 13 votes. 

Other ordinances voted on were:

• An ordinance to amend the fire protection land-use code passed.

• An ordinance to amend the accessory apartments land-use code failed.

• An ordinance to amend the home occupation land-use code passed.

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