The Malden City Council voted 11–0 to take Paper 74-25 from the table, adopt a committee amendment limiting allowable uses of public funds, and approve the amended order to fund preservation work at a historic property.

Councilor McDonald, speaking to the council after the committee discussion, noted that the property is one of nine Malden buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and the only church among them. "There's only 9 buildings in Malden that are on the National Register of Historic Places, and this is the only church," McDonald said, noting the committee sought to be explicit that funding should be narrow and not establish a broad precedent.

Councilors debated committee language and then accepted an amendment that added a clause stating appropriated funds "are not to be used to repair or restore any item whose sole purpose is religious." The council approved the amendment by voice vote and then adopted the order as amended by roll call; the record shows the order was adopted by an 11–0 vote.

Councilors and committee members said the action is narrowly tailored to historic preservation of a recognized landmark and that the amendment was intended to avoid funding religious worship elements. The council recorded the decision as unanimous; the appropriation will proceed under the amended restrictions.