In the most heavily debated item of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved Article 21, authorizing $21,783,000 in new funding for a public safety building at 135 King Street. The appropriation brings the total project cost to $32,183,000 for a new police headquarters that will also house a backup fire engine. The decision followed a hand count that saw 293 residents in favor and 129 opposed, clearing the required two-thirds threshold.

Commander Gregory Lennon provided a stark assessment of the current 62-year-old Elm Street station, describing conditions as deplorable and unsafe. I had to climb out of my office window onto the front lawn [to attend a meeting]. That's not a joke, Lennon told the crowd, noting that evidence processing, drug testing, and staff meals often occur in the same cramped room. Select Board member David Farra warned that voting no would only create more expensive problems in the future.

However, the project faced pushback from residents concerned about cost escalations from an original $10.4 million estimate. Resident Leland Jenkins noted the total cost including interest could reach $50 million, while others questioned the transparency of the process. Resident Charlie DeSantis suggested a repair, renew, and remain approach used by other towns, but supporters argued the current facility cannot be cost-effectively expanded to meet modern policing and safety standards.

Motion: To appropriate $21,783,000 for the construction of a new Public Safety Building.

Vote: Passed 293-129