WELLS — On Tuesday, Wells voters showed they care about their children and their environment.

In a vote of 4,037 to 852, residents approved an ongoing before- and after-school recreation program.

The new program was created over the summer at the request of the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District to replace a long-standing YMCA program that was not asked to return.

Currently, there are 22 students enrolled, generating $8,060 in revenues and offsetting expenses of $3,661.

The program is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program was moved from the elementary school to the Park and Recreation building at 412 Branch Road.

If voters had not approved the measure, the program would have ended at the winter break.

Wells residents also voted 4,999 to 3,656 to approve partial funding for an agricultural easement of 130 acres at Spiller Farm on Route 9A.

“The property was appraised at $500,000, but the Spillers are selling the easement at a significantly reduced rate of $376,000,” said project manager Keith Fletcher. “The land will remain in private hands, but will limit development rights in perpetuity to make sure it stays a farm forever.”

The easement purchase and maintenance will total $549,000, and, according to Fletcher, the majority of the easement will be covered by a $223,500 grant from the National Farm and Ranch Land Preservation Fund. The remaining $152,500 will come from a Wells municipal land bank account set up by the town for open space conservation efforts.

According to Wells Conservation Committee Chairman Owen Grumbling, protecting the future goes beyond wildlife habitats and extends to the protection of food.

The final question on the ballot ­­”“ Article 4: The Conveyance of a Utility Easement to the Wells Ogunquit Combined School District ­”“ was approved in a vote of 4,021 to 746. The school district already has a water line easement over the town property at 208 Sanford Road. Officials explained the land in question is currently a walking pathway, and the new easement would allow that walkway to be widened to accommodate additional underground utilities needed for the new high school.

“The ”˜yes’ vote means that the school district would be paying for any of the utility fees, construction, etc.,” said Town Manager Jonathan Carter.

— Tracey Collins contributed to this report. Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].