Hubbardston — A longstanding disagreement about holiday displays on the town common resurfaced during the Dec. 17 senior-center meeting as volunteers and residents recounted community reactions and debated next steps.

Attendees described two separate traditions: a manger constructed by senior-center volunteers from returned cans and bottles, and a town-purchased menorah that has been displayed more prominently. S1 said volunteers paid for the manger pieces and argued it was community-created: "every piece was purchased from cans and bottles being returned, and so it wasn't — it was all donations," and noted the menorah had been purchased by the town.

Some neighbors, S1 and others said, have raised concerns to them about separation of church and state and even referenced litigation in other communities. Meeting participants discussed options including asking the select board to place the display location on the warrant for a future town meeting so voters can decide.

Why it matters: the dispute mixes volunteers’ attachment to a community project and constitutional concerns raised by residents. Attendees noted the manger is visible in a few locations and that moving it to a more prominent part of the common might reduce complaints — but moving displays can prompt new disagreements about maintenance and responsibility.

What’s next: multiple speakers suggested bringing the issue before the town meeting in June and allowing residents to speak or vote on placement. No formal action was taken at the Dec. 17 meeting; volunteers agreed to consider options and noted the need to coordinate with Katie Young, who manages decorations on the common.