BENTON $ Voters made it clear Tuesday night that they are satisfied with the town's form of government.

By a margin of 1,005 to 398, they rejected a proposal to take on an administrative assistant. Currently, the board of selectmen is in charge of town business.

A committee that studies the need for hiring an administrative assistant recommended against it in August.

Board Chairman Mark Brown said earlier that an administrative assistant might command a salary of between $40,000 and $50,000.
Brown earns $11,700 while the other two selectmen earn $3,700.

Patrick Turlo, assistant town clerk, said Wednesday that approximately 80 percent of the town's registered voters turned out for the special town meeting and general election. They cast 1,496 votes.

Charles Rich, unopposed for Kennebec Water District, won 1,371 votes.