BROWNVILLE – A proposed mass gathering ordinance was soundly defeated Monday at the annual town meeting.

The ordinance would have stipulated the permit procedures and guidelines for a gathering attended by 500 or more people.

The approximately 60 residents who attended the meeting did approve the transfer of $100,000 from surplus into a so-called Norton Pond working capital reserve account.

The reserve account funds would be available if the town needed them in anticipation of taxes and would help the town through the expected increase in valuation anticipated by the development of a resort at Norton Pond.

The development will bring in tax dollars when construction is completed. Until then, the bills paid to the county and schools are based on the town’s valuation, and as the valuation increases, so will the amount of the bills. The account would serve as a cushion if and when funds are needed, Town Manager Sophia Wilson said.

The repair of the town garage had been lumped into a warrant article with other special projects for funding, but residents decided to address it on its own. Rather than give approval for the project Monday, residents asked selectmen to work with an engineer and bring recommendations for the garage back to a special town meeting. The garage, which was constructed in 1983, has some interior damage from water.

Paula Copeland was elected to a three-year term, and John Belvin was elected to a one-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Marie McSwine was elected to a three-year term on the SAD 41 board, and Vaughn Clapp was elected to a one-year term.