Residents gave permission for the Cushing Rescue Squad to begin charging for services, said no to hiring a police officer assigned to speed enforcement, and split evenly in a race for the Board of Selectmen at the town's annual election and town meeting held earlier this week (March 19-20).

Town Clerk Lisa Young said several residents expressed concerns that people without insurance would be unable to pay their ambulance bills. But town officials recommended implementing fees because they needed a way to cover the costs associated with running a volunteer service.

Voters defeated a proposal that would have authorized spending $2,000 to hire a Knox County Sheriff's Department deputy to enforce speeding laws.

"People felt we already pay the county for police services, why should we have to pay anything extra," Young said.

Incumbent Kim Young and her opponent, Dan Staples, each received 135 votes in their bid for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Lisa Young said she does not expect either candidate to request a recount which means that a runoff election will be held April 2, from 2-8 p.m., the Cushing Fire Station.

"It just goes to show that every vote counts," Young said.