In the most contentious debate of the evening, Article 15—a proposal to borrow $35,076,091 for a new town library—failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority. While 63.9% of voters supported the measure, the project fell short of the supermajority required for debt authorization.

Library Building Committee Chair Judy Connor Tarver warned that rejecting the project would mean forfeiting a $13.4 million state grant to another community. This money is ours. It's waiting for us to take it, she told the hall. Supporters like Harris Contos argued that public libraries represent the expression of civilization, while opponents, backed by the Finance Committee, voiced deep concerns about the town's total debt load, which includes massive upcoming expenditures for schools and wastewater.

To mitigate the tax impact, Town Administrator Robert L. Whritenour suggested the town could adopt a residential exemption strategy. He estimated that with such an exemption, the net impact of five major capital projects, including the library, would be roughly $83 per year for the average year-round resident. However, Finance Committee Chair Richard Simon noted the committee remained concerned about the financial strategy if the exemption was not implemented. A standing count recorded 314 votes in favor and 177 against, leaving the proposal just short of the required threshold.

Motion: I move that the town appropriate $35,076,091 for the design, bidding, and construction of a town library... contingent upon the voter's passage of a so-called debt exclusion.

Vote: Failed (314 Yes, 177 No)