Many residents have voiced their discontent with rising flood insurance costs. But On Monday night, Selectmen said Special Town Meeting was not the place to discuss it and stressed that a floodplain map and zoning amendment on the warrant should be approved.

The amendment brought three areas of town into the floodplain that had been mistakenly omitted from the updated maps approved at Town Meeting in May.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne said the town would address the insurance premium issue, which could increase up to 20 percent for those who sustained damage from  recent storms.

“Voting ‘no’ will not achieve your relief in that regard,” said Gagne. “We have been told by FEMA officials that, if in fact, we do not approve these map amendments that we will be ineligible for flood insurance. We will not get any FEMA reimbursements for municipal structures.”

He said the past two storms caused $63,000 in damage to the town.

Resident Don Fleming said he was originally going to encourage those in attendance to vote down the article but changed his mind. Still, he said the information coming from FEMA has been “absurd.” Fleming called for Selectmen to appoint a committee of residents affected by the insurance hike.

“We’re all going to carry this burden, and I think you should all have a good idea of what this is about,” he said. “Not only should the committee be permitted now, but they should have a preliminary report at Town Meeting.”

Gagne said the town would work with area municipalities, state government and other organizations to lobby FEMA for changes.

Voters approved the amendment unanimously.