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Wenham Select Board opens annual town-meeting warrant and debates alternate venues
Summary
The Select Board unanimously opened the 2026 annual town meeting warrant, setting the meeting for April 11 at 1 p.m. at the Buer School and naming Feb. 17 as the anticipated warrant closing date. Members discussed alternate venues, notably Gordon College’s Bennett Center, in case a high-turnout override appears on the warrant.
The Wenham Select Board voted unanimously on Jan. 20 to open the warrant for the 2026 annual town meeting. The board set an anticipated warrant-closing date of Feb. 17 and scheduled the meeting for Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 1 p.m., to be held at the Buer School unless the board later designates an alternate site.
During discussion, members flagged the potential for an unusually large turnout if a school operational override is placed on the warrant. Board members and town staff discussed two alternate options if the Buer School’s capacity is insufficient: renting a large tent (with estimated AV and rental costs that could be substantial) or booking Gordon College’s Bennett Center, which has higher capacity and previously handled a large town meeting. Staff noted cost comparators from prior use (a tent+AV previously estimated at roughly $30,000 plus ~$15–20,000 for technology) and warned that renting a tent remains weather dependent.
Town staff said the board can change the meeting location up to two weeks before the meeting but recommended deciding earlier if capacity concerns appear likely. The board directed staff (Steve and Joe) to check Gordon College’s availability for April 11; if Gordon can host that date, the board will add a next-meeting agenda item to name a primary and alternative venue.
The board also noted that if an override or other high-interest article appears on the warrant, the increased turnout could mirror last year’s special town meeting and warrants considering capacity and AV planning.
No final venue change was made at the Jan. 20 meeting; the board left the Buer School as the scheduled location pending Gordon College availability and further discussion.
