Article 7, the most significant financial item of the meeting, was approved after a technical debate over roofing materials and state mandates. The article authorizes the town to borrow $7,851,680 to replace the failing roof at Martinson Elementary School, with approximately 49% of eligible costs expected to be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Superintendent Patrick Sullivan warned that the roof, now nearly 30 years old, has reached a critical state of failure.

Motion: The select board moves that the town vote to appropriate this amount of $7,851,680 for the purpose of paying for the cost of roof replacement at the Martinson Elementary School... provided that any appropriation here shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of town meeting... and a debt exclusion vote.

Vote: Passed by 2/3 Majority

The discussion featured heavy input from the Capital Budget Committee, which expressed concerns over the proposed TPO (white plastic) roofing material, suggesting that EPDM (black rubber) would be more durable and energy-efficient for the New England climate. Despite the disagreement over materials—which the school department noted was chosen by state-required consultants—voters supported the project to avoid further interior damage to the school. The project still requires approval at a future town-wide election as a debt exclusion.