Voters approved an article to appropriate $93,940 from Community Preservation Act revenues for design, bidding and construction administration related to the careful removal of non-historic 1960s additions to White Cliffs mansion and to install temporary watertight infill at affected locations.

The Community Preservation Committee framed the vote as the next step to "button up" the building and stop further water infiltration that is accelerating deterioration. "This will eliminate the major source of mold and mildew that is deteriorating the property rapidly," the CPC presenter told town meeting, and said the work would follow Massachusetts Historical Commission regulations.

The article passed by a majority vote. Town staff and CPC members said the intent is to stabilize the property to preserve the historic core and position the town to seek a partner or a buyer for long-term reuse.

Separately, a warrant article that would have transferred authority to the Select Board to convey White Cliffs subject to a perpetual historic preservation restriction failed to reach the required two-thirds majority. The article's language would have authorized the Select Board "to convey said property by deed and fee, lease, or other means, subject to a perpetual historical preservation restriction in accordance with chapter 184, section 31 to 33." Town officials emphasized that a preservation restriction already applies because CPA revenue was used to buy the property in 2016; proponents said the article was intended to make that restriction operable in any future transaction.

Town Administrator and Select Board members told meeting attendees they had issued an RFP and received two responsive proposals, but said procurement law limits what they could disclose while the process is active. DPW Director Scott Charpentier summarized the two proposals: Nikki's Gardens of Hope proposed restoring the mansion and adding an adjacent supportive adult residence alongside public gardens and a cafe; Elegant Banquets LLC proposed restoring the mansion, demolishing non-historic additions, and building a new ballroom for events with on-site gardens and limited community use during off-days. Charpentier said both proposals met the minimum submission requirements and that the review committee will compare technical envelopes before opening financial proposals.

Speakers at town meeting raised multiple concerns: some residents said disposition decisions of this scale should return to town meeting rather than be handled solely by the Select Board; others cautioned voters about unspecified financial requests that a private respondent might seek from CPC reserves. The town's Select Board chair said any final transaction would be reviewed carefully and that, in many cases, zoning or financial decisions tied to a future project could require additional Town Meeting approvals.

Because the conveyance authority article failed, the town did not authorize the Select Board to proceed with a sale or lease under the terms proposed in that warrant article at this meeting. Town staff indicated discussions and procurement work will continue, and they recommended that any financial terms requiring CPA funds or zoning relief would likely return to Town Meeting for separate consideration.