Besides the Holt demolition, a few other articles generated some discussion on Town Meeting floor.

The Finance Committee opposed the Department of Public Works’s proposed Article 28, which asked for a vehicle replacement.

Prior to Town Meeting, officer Daniel Connolly was sworn in by Town Clerk Pamela Martin as a member of the police department.

The DPW wanted to purchase a F350 truck with a plow to replace a 1996 van in the Water and Sewer Department. The van needs several repairs and most likely will not last another year without pouring a great deal of money into it, DPW officials said.

The Finance Committee did not recommend Article 28 because they believed with the number of vehicles the DPW has, they will need to have a replacement plan.

“The committee asked for a plan so they would be able put money aside,” said Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee David Jablonski. “We asked for the same thing with Police Department ... we’d like a plan to see what their going to need in the future.”

Donnie Westhaver, superintendent of the DPW explained that the department is in the process of making such a plan. However, he said it’s not a plan that can be done in two weeks or a month. He explained, “This truck is not a want, it is a need.”

Town Administrator Frank Lynam said, “It’s obvious that they need this, and it’s obvious for us to prioritize and meet this but we need a plan. We need to know today what we’re going to buy tomorrow.”

It was pointed out on the floor that funds for the vehicle are provided by the Sewer and Water Enterprise Accounts’ tax revenue. The Article was approved after discussion.

In other business:

• Article 4 sought to increase the superannuation retirement allowance of any former employee that has served the town at least 25 years to an amount equal to one-half of the regular compensation paid to employees holding a similar position in the same grade or classification which the former employee held at the time of retirement. The change will affect five retirees from ages 73-93.

“It’s going to take care of some very old people that have taken care of our town,” said Fire Chief Timothy Travers.

Finance Committee said retirement can be up to 80 percent of salary and that increases three percent yearly.

Vicki Mulligan the Town Treasurer said this costs the town $452 and it provides $15,000 in additional benefits.

This amendment required a 2/3 vote and it passed by one vote.

• Although Whitman approved their assessment from the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District without debate, Hanson rejected their assessment.  Therefore the School Committee will have to go back to the table and come up with a new figure, or accept the lower assessment.