For many towns this year, the business of town meeting was overshadowed by the hotly contested primaries for gubernatorial candidates, and the battle over Question 1 on the state ballot.

But many budgets and town ballot questions were settled at the polls on June 8, including the following:

”“ Wells voters approved a proposal to spend up to $450,000 from the town’s Land Bank to purchase two land parcels for conservation. The so-called Granite State land and the Tilton property will add more than 400 acres to the town’s extensive holdings in the western section of town.

The Conservation Commission is pursuing a long-range strategy of piecing together a conservation district. A key part of the strategy is acquiring and spending Land Bank funds.

Members of the commission argued that the land provided important habitat for wildlife and would support hunting and other forms of recreation. The Tilton property off Route 109 includes frontage on the Merriland River. Although several selectmen questioned this $450,000 investment, voters evidently trust the commission’s judgment in determining what ”“ and when ”“ to buy.

”“ In Kennebunk, a very different investment was approved by voters ”“ the acquisition of a vacant service station at 51 Main St. in the  heart of downtown.

Voters decided to appropriate $310,000 for the purchase by a relatively narrow margin. Critics of the purchase noted that the town has no firm plans in mind about what to do with it. Yet town officials were right to press for acquisition, considering the idle Mobil station’s key location, and the need for an environmental cleanup.

The town will now get the property at a discounted price, and a $160,000 grant is available for the cleanup.

Kennebunk’s long-term efforts have succeeded in preserving and improving its downtown, and this decision seems an important step in that continuing mission.

”“ Another interesting local issue that was apparently resolved last week was the  future of the  Goodwins Mills Fire Department. Instead of operating independently, it will become the municipal fire department of Dayton and Lyman.

Dayton voters last week approved the arrangement, which had been OK’d by Lyman voters the week before. They also appropriated funds to pay the salaries of an additional  firefighter and chief, raising the paid staff to four.

The change had been recommended by an advisory committee, which noted that the two paid firefighters and 45 volunteers were straining to keep up with the growing needs of the towns. Although selectmen in both towns were concerned about the expense, voters apparently  agreed that it is worthwhile to invest in public safety.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.