BUCKFIELD — The special town meeting to vote on a wind power development moratorium has been rescheduled to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, in the Buckfield High School Auditorium.

Lively, yet polite discussion filled the selectmen’s meeting room Tuesday night as James Parker pleaded the case for a moratorium on wind power projects until the issue could be studied more completely to ascertain the amount of health problems for those living near wind turbines.

“I don’t think it’s right to run people out of their homes for any reason, and I am concerned about my family’s health, and resale value of my home,” Parker said. “We have to examine both sides because so many have fixed opinions. We need to get facts.”

Warren Wright, chairman of the Planning Board, said he was spending 12 hours or more a week looking into wind power issues. “I have many letters from people who’s lives have been destroyed by turbines near their homes,” he said.

Selectman Chip Richardson asked Wright why they have been so slow coming up with an ordinance on wind power development. Wright replied that they are making progress. They are using the Vinalhaven ordinance as a model.

Town Manager Glen Holmes said that because of a decline in gas prices, there is less interest in wind power. Holmes also said, “I’ve been spending a lot of time on this issue as well. I’ve talked to towns and it’s science, not opinions that matter. No one in this room can say that a mile away from the turbines is OK. You need to get the decibel number for a mile away.”

Richardson motioned to accept the state ordinance with a setback of 1,800 feet for the special town meeting.

Parker said he could go along with that as long as it held a real estate clause to protect his lifelong savings in his home.

The ordinance vote will be necessary if the moratorium on wind power development fails.

In other news, the board discussed the committee appointment policy.

Richardson said he was tired of policies always changing and suggested working on an ordinance at a later date. The draft ordinance says that re-appointees would not need to be interviewed. Richardson and Eileen Hotham wanted all to be interviewed. Wright said after all the time he has spent on various boards, he would feel insulted to have to be interviewed.

Richardson said new selectmen may not know of his past work.

Selectmen’s Chairman John Lowell was more in favor of supporting people who wanted to serve and questioned what could be gained from an interview.

Debbie Bridges met with the board to discuss the various medical plans from Maine Municipal Association. She said town employees should see changes. The health reimbursement plan would have money put aside by the town to help with employees’ out-of-pocket expenses from the money saved by the town in lower premiums.

“We do not want to impact employees financially,” Holmes said.

Sheldon Stanley was appointed to the Recreation Committee.