Voters Reject Sale of 8 Short Street as Residents Seek Creative Re-Use
Key Points
- The motion to sell 8 Short Street failed to reach the required 2/3 majority.
- Residents expressed a preference for keeping the building as a town asset rather than a one-time revenue source.
- A tenant proposal for a "Makers Barn" influenced the discussion toward alternative uses.
A proposal to sell the historic town-owned building at 8 Short Street failed to gain the necessary two-thirds support at Town Meeting, as residents argued the property remains a valuable asset. Article 22 was presented by the Select Board as a means to generate revenue, but the plan was met with an alternative vision from the building's current tenant, Dick Orur, who proposed transforming the site into a Makers Barn
to return it to a school-like use.
The debate mirrored broader town tensions between fiscal management and the preservation of municipal property. Resident Cat Low argued that the building currently pays for itself and should remain in town hands, stating, I think it's just foolhardy to get rid of that from a financial point of view.
The final tally of 226 in favor and 210 against fell well short of the supermajority required to authorize a sale, leaving the building's future under town ownership for the time being.
Motion: To authorize the sale of 8 Short Street.
Vote: Failed (226 Yes, 210 No)