WELD — A proposal to elect Budget Committee members and an article to amend the building ordinance to meet changes in state law were debated at the annual town meeting Saturday at the Weld Town Hall.

The Board of Selectmen proposed electing Budget Committee members beginning in 2021, rather than appointing them. Six residents plus Selectman Richard Doughty make up the committee.

A motion was made to not support the change.

Selectman Chairman Tom Skolfield said having selectmen appoint the members was becoming problematic.

“The Budget Committee makes town meeting flow much better,” he said. “I felt it would be more transparent to elect.”

Resident Joan Braun suggested if members were elected, candidates’ experience should be made available.

Budget Committee member Becky Durrant-Vining said this was her second year on the committee.

“I’m just getting my feet under me,” she said. “Six new people will have their hands full with the learning curve.”

Budget Committee member Ernestine Hutchinson said she seconded the motion.

“Our committee is a very diverse group,” she said. “All have backgrounds in budgeting practices. I think the process now works well. It takes time to learn where monies come from. It’s very important for you to know who is on the committee and the knowledge they have. Some of us work full-time, it would be difficult to educate voters.”

The vote found 22 in favor with 20 against.

Amendments to the town’s building ordinance were rejected over a proposed change from 150 to 100 feet minimum road frontage. Several amendments were proposed, most to be compliant with the new Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, which voids and makes unenforceable all other existing building codes.

According to Citizen’s Guide to Town Meeting, published in the town report, ordinances may not be amended from the floor; votes must be up or down.

Resident Michael Graham said the 150-foot requirement was enacted to prevent long, narrow lots.

“We didn’t want that,” he said. “Keep 150 feet road frontage. That’s the way it should be in town. I also think voters (not selectmen) should decide on fees.”

Planning Board member Thomas Wheeler told of instances where people lacked the required road frontage for approval of applications.

“If people own property, they should be able to develop it. The town would benefit from increased valuations,” he said.

Selectman David Rackliffe said, “If we don’t accept this as it is written, we won’t have a building ordinance in town.”

Doughty recommended passing the article then addressing road frontage with a special meeting in April.

Skolfield favored voting it down and dealing with it a year from now, which is what voters ultimately decided to do.

Voters also approved a higher than proposed 2020 budget, not counting county and education taxes, of $619,120, opting on Saturday to also include $419 for LifeFlight and $3,500 for cemetery stone repair.

Friday’s election results:

• Selectman: David Rackliffe, 69 votes for a three-year term.

• Regional School Unit 9 director: Deborah Smith, 70 votes for a three-year term.

• Planning Board: Incumbent Ernestine Hutchinson narrowly beat Patrick Lowe, 37-36, for a five-year term.

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