WELD — More than 60 voters attended the annual town meeting Saturday, where two ordinances and a bridge replacement were approved.

The food sovereignty ordinance directs the Select Board to modify and amend the ordinance to comply with changes required by state statutes, which includes selling or bartering of foods. It was approved.

David Rackliff, along with Mike and Laurie Pratt, worked on the ordinance early last fall, Laurie Pratt said. Revisions to the state’s Food Sovereignty Act didn’t go into effect until the end of October, so the ordinance presented the town was not up to date, she stated.

Selectperson Lisa Miller said she spoke with Sen. Lisa Keim, one of the authors of the act, who noted its purpose was to increase resiliency and self-reliance, such as creating small farms.

State rules are geared to big business, Mike Graham, a former state inspector said. People should be able to make their own decisions, he stated.

Selectperson Dina Walker said lawsuits could possibly increase; the ordinance doesn’t take away from following food safety measures.

More than 100 Maine towns have adopted a food sovereignty ordinance, Rackliff noted. One has a population of 27 and cities with 20,000 to 30,000 people have passed it, he added.

“I am worried a lot more about the food I buy in the store. I am going to buy from my neighbors,” Corey Hutchinson stated.

Rep. Randall Hall of East Dixfield said there are a lot of issues today. The state will be voting on another amendment Wednesday. He shared the example of peanut allergies and concern that if ingredients aren’t listed, someone could have an allergic reaction.

“We thought we had it all straightened out,” Hall said. Another question being raised is “can somebody buy my eggs, take them to the farmers market and sell them. We don’t have all the answers. It is very confusing. Times are changing so fast.”

A six-month moratorium ordinance on solar farms and large commercial structures was also passed.

It would allow time for the Select Board to draft a solar farm ordinance and update the building ordinance, Walker said.

Select Board Chair Richard Doughty felt this ordinance was not necessary. “It sets a dangerous precedence,” he said.

“I also think it sends the message we don’t want commercial business in town,” Doughty said.

“(The moratorium) allows time to regulate, not ban,” Selectperson Walker said. Six months gives time to write the regulations, she noted.

Voters also approved requesting bids for replacement of Kennedy Bridge on Old Temple Road and allowing the Select Board to determine how to pay for it.

Another meeting will be held for voter approval once bids have been received and payment information is known, Walker stated.

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