Article 21 at the upcoming Town Meeting will request funding to maintain the former Mattacheese Middle School building for another year. The request comes as the Mattacheese Utilization Committee nears the completion of its recommendations for the future of the Higgins Crowell Road property.

Town Administrator Robert Whritenour indicated that this could be the final year the town needs to set aside funds for the building's basic upkeep. This may be the last year that we need to continue to maintain it. So we put funds in article 21 so that we can maintain the Madaks [Mattacheese] school, Whritenour said, using a local phonetic shorthand for the site.

The Mattacheese Utilization Committee has previously recommended total demolition of the aging structure to make way for potential redevelopment, including a regional sports complex and housing. The maintenance funding in Article 21 ensures the building remains secure and managed until a final decision on its reuse or demolition is authorized by a future Town Meeting.