A large number of voters made short work of the annual town meeting on Saturday. More than 150 residents filled the Central Maine Auction Hall and voted in a new board of selectmen, approved a six-month moratorium on wind-turbine development and passed all articles as worded with only a few amendments.

In elections, incumbent Jim Bennett beat challenger Travis Johnson for the first selectman position. Newcomer Steve Fitton narrowly beat Johnson again for the second selectman position, and Gerald Berry ran unopposed for third selectman.

The six-month moratorium on the development of wind turbines within the town is aimed at collecting more information; upgrading existing land use ordinances; and addressing environmental, land impact and tax issues regarding commercial electricity-producing turbines.

Steven Cole objected to moratorium and regulations, saying," I think people who own land can do what they want."

Douglas Nye, assistant chairman of the town Planning Board, said the reason for the moratorium is to give time to gather community sentiment on turbines and to establish some rules.

"This moratorium won't stop wind-turbine businesses but will give the town six months to develop an ordinance that addresses issues raised by concerned citizens," Nye said. "The ordinance guides but not necessarily restricts development."