News in brief BOWERBANK: RESIDENTS SUPPORT MORATORIUM

Residents voted Saturday to delay certain development here while town officials work to prepare land use regulations for adoption. About 50 residents voted in a special town meeting to establish a renewable 180-day moratorium on development of land for commercial, industrial and recreational use, and on development of subdivisions, planned unit developments, condominiums, time shares and mobile home parks. Residential development is excluded from the moratorium. James Gustafson, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said earlier this month that the article was prompted by an inquiry from the community’s second-largest landowner. The landowner had asked what the penalty would be if land were removed from tree growth. Gustafson said the moratorium would help protect the town from unscrupulous development or development that causes a financial burden while regulations are being prepared. Residents also voted Saturday to establish a zoning board of appeals and to appropriate $28,000 for professional assistance to help town officials develop a comprehensive plan.