NORWAY — The Board of Selectmen agreed Thursday night to place an article on the annual town meeting warrant requesting a one-year moratorium on larger development in four rural villages in North Norway.

The request was made by a group of North Norway residents, who with the help of Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman and John Maloney of AVCOG, submitted an article to selectmen.

The move was prompted after a change of use permit application for a wedding and event barn on Morse Hill Road was presented to the Planning Board this year. The applicant ultimately withdrew the request but nearby residents were worried about a large business in the area.

The board had the authority to accept or reject the request for the article.

Ron Pimentel of North Norway told selectmen the group wanted more time to look at ways to keep big commercial, industrial or housing development out of the four designated rural villages in the town Comprehensive Plan. A one-year moratorium would not restrict change of use permit approvals for home businesses in the area.

The villages include Noble’s Corner and Swift’s Corner that many want to see retained in their historic, rural and scenic character.

According to the Comprehensive Plan, written in 2004, rural villages are areas where residents could obtain basic supplies and services and attend worship services. The plan says the purpose of those areas is to “encourage the preservation of historic structures and the very small villages located there and to provide a place for neighborhood commerce and service businesses such as general stores and small specialty shops.”

Selectmen will set a public hearing date before the annual town meeting in June.

The committee will continue to refine the article.

Selectmen also have agreed to set a public hearing on a request by Police Chief Rob Federico to have a house at 7 King St. declared a “disorderly.” He said it is owned by Oradell Pratt of Norway and is “completely out of control.”

Federico said police have been to the house 14 times recently and the landlord has attempted to evict two tenants but the trouble remained.

According to the town’s Disorderly House Ordinance, a dwelling where police have responded multiple times within a 30-day period is declared disorderly.

The board can enter into a consent agreement with the owner to control the conduct. Violations of the ordinance, such as failure to abide by a consent agreement, can bring a civil penalty fine of not less than $100 or more than $2,500, plus attorney’s fees and costs. The town may also seek injunctive relief.

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