Voters approved Article 9, a $2.42 million purchase of 18.83 acres at Zero Main Street for conservation, but only after passing a significant amendment to remove a proposed affordable housing lot. The land, part of the Marshfield Hills Estates subdivision, was described by Susan Karen of the Open Space Committee as a vital link to 139 acres of already protected land. Proponents argued that purchasing the land would prevent a 10-lot subdivision that would require 2,200 truckloads of fill and destroy local wildlife corridors.

The debate shifted when Planning Board Vice Chair Katie O'Donnell moved to strike the words "affordable housing" from the article, arguing that the environmentally sensitive site was a quagmire for development. While some younger residents, including Deputy Moderator Grayson Palanteer, spoke against the amendment to support more housing options, the assembly voted to remove the housing component. The final article, designating the land solely for open space and conservation, passed with the required two-thirds majority.

Motion: The open space committee and the community preservation committee move that the town vote... to appropriate the sum of $20,000 in legal and acquisition costs and $2,400,000 in land purchase expense for a total appropriation of $2,420,000 to enable the town to acquire a certain parcel of land known as Zero Main Street.

Vote: Passed by 2/3 Majority as Amended