ALFRED — Residents at Town Meeting Saturday decided there was no need to formally proclaim Alfred as a compassionate community. As well, voters rejected a proposal to adopt the National Electrical Code, and the inspection and permitting process that accompanies it.

All other articles, including several code amendments and the $2.25 million municipal budget, were approved.

Municipal elections took place Friday, with incumbent Selectman George Donovan, who was unopposed in his bid for re-election, earning 130 votes.

Seth McCoy, who had previously served as an Regional School Unit 57 director, earned five write-in votes for a vacancy on the school board, but has declined the position, according to Town Clerk Andrew Bors.

Catherine Conley and Paula Frodyma were both elected to the Parsons Library Memorial Board unopposed. A three-way write-in tie for a vacancy on the library board saw Lisa Cook, Sandra Lamont-Golden and Perley Yeaton Jr. each earn three write-in votes. Bors was to consult with the Secretary of State’s office on next steps, but Cook and Yeaton have declined, resolving the issue.

Bors said 91 people attended the Town Meeting, which began 10 a.m. Saturday and wound down three hours later.

And while some folks had questioned the employee benefits portion of the municipal budget at an informational meeting earlier this month, there were no questions raised at Town Meeting, both Bors and Selectman John Sylvester said.

The proclamation to formally designate Alfred as a compassionate community drew discussion. It had been placed on the Town Meeting warrant after selectmen received a petition with about 120 signatures, according to Donovan.

The proclamation spelled out that compassion impels residents to work tirelessly to alleviate suffering of all, and recognizes the need to treat everyone with justice, equality and respect.

“When rooted in principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic and ideological boundaries,” the proposed proclamation text stated, in part.

It went on to say that all citizens are urged to, twice a year, “join in town-wide, organized promotions and demonstrations of compassion during the next three years.”

According to Bors and Sylvester, about 60 percent of those attending voted against the proclamation, feeling it was unnecessary.

“People felt Alfred is already a compassionate community, and we know we are,” said Bors of the discussion Saturday.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.