Wells voters rejected a hotly contested proposal to regulate large-scale groundwater extraction Tuesday.

The ordinance failed by a vote of 3,199 to 1,422.

The proposal, which would have applied to daily water extraction of 20,000 gallons or more, spelled out when the permit holder would have been subject to additional monitoring and what hydrogeological conditions would prompt town officials to halt extraction. Aspects of a project such as lighting, noise and operating hours would have been subject to Planning Board review.

The controversy over water extraction flared in June 2008 over a proposed deal between Poland Spring and the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District. The deal has since been abandoned.

Opponents said the proposed ordinance would provide insufficient protection, and they questioned how much economic benefit Poland Spring would bring.

A moratorium has been in place as the town has developed a comprehensive ordinance. Activists want the moratorium to remain until the state develops additional groundwater protections.

Poland Spring has advertised its support of the ordinance, although the company says it has no definite plans in Wells.

Voters, by a vote of 3,243 to 1,243, also approved an ordinance addressing windmills whose main purpose is to provide energy to the properties where they're located.

A ordinance spelling out requirements for changeable signs was rejected by a vote of 2,505 to 1,836.

BRUNSWICK

King, Wilson, Perreault win seats on council

Joanne T. King defeated Karen J. Klatt for an at-large seat on the Brunswick Town Council on Tuesday, in a race between incumbents.

King got 5,276 votes to Klatt's 2,758, according to unofficial town election results.

In the District 3 council race, Suzan Z. Wilson defeated Hallie Daughtry, 864 to 768.

In the District 4 council race, John M. Perreault defeated Jason W. Bergquist, 797 to 524.

In the at-large race, King, 51, won her fourth consecutive term. She serves on the authority that is forming a redevelopment plan for the Brunswick Naval Air Station.

Klatt, 49, who gave up her council seat representing District 4, said she would be more effective representing a broader constituency and would focus on spending the taxpayers' money wisely.

In District 3, Wilson, 56, won in her third run for the seat. She said Brunswick government needs to be more proactive.

In District 4, Perreault, 45, said his priority would be to rebuild Brunswick's economic base.

KENNEBUNK

No final tally on downtown improvement bond issue

Results were not available late Tuesday on a proposed downtown improvement bond and a zoning change in Kennebunk.

Voters were asked whether the town will borrow $1.36 million for downtown improvements. The proposal would not affect property tax bills because money from the town's Route 1 tax increment financing district – created to generate funds for economic development projects – would cover the payments for the bond.

Proponents said a lack of understanding of the TIF program may have contributed to the defeat of an earlier version of the plan.

The concept of the downtown plan had not changed dramatically since the earlier one was defeated in June. That bond proposal was for $2.1 million. Lower-than-expected bids and other changes reduced the cost.

The proposal called for new sidewalks made of brick-colored concrete pavers, new lighting, signs, trees, bump-outs at crosswalks and associated drainage improvements. The revised plan leaves out the brick-and-granite sidewalks from the original plan, a widened sidewalk around the intersection of Storer and Main streets and some improvements on Garden Street.

Debt payments on the bond would total $2 million, assuming interest of 5 percent over...