Voters refused to restore language to a flood plain bylaw almost a year after local leaders mistakenly deleted it at the Annual Town Meeting.

At Special Town Meeting on Monday, Nov. 25, resident and registered voter Joseph Yates spoke out against the measure. If approved, it would have required residents looking to build certain structures in the flood plain district without a special permit.

Yates said the town has enough building restrictions in place. Town Counsel Blair Bailey said without the language, there would be federal ramifications.

“This language is required by federal law for FEMA programs. Without the language, residents in flood plains are not eligible for FEMA relief,” Bailey said.

The measure required a two thirds majority to pass and failed 134 to 70.