A proposal to spend town funds on an architectural feasibility study for the MacArthur School building was defeated after the Finance Committee issued a rare non-recommendation. Article 5 sought to evaluate the structural integrity and potential future uses of the building, such as a library, once the current lease expires in 2031.

Select Board member Mark Forest argued that the town needs to be proactive in planning for the building’s future. The town seeks to conduct the structural analysis and evaluation of existing conditions... to determine the feasibility and approximate costs of repurposing this building, Forest said. However, Finance Committee Chair Richard Simon informed the meeting that his committee was unanimous in not recommending this article at this time, citing the distant 2031 expiration of the lease as a reason to wait.

The majority of voters agreed with the Finance Committee’s assessment that the study was premature, leading to the article's failure during a show of cards.

Motion: To move Article 5 as printed in the warrant.

Vote: Failed