ROWE — Forty-nine Rowe voters approved 35 articles during Annual Town Meeting Monday evening, including an article authorizing the town to purchase a 179-acre property on Tunnel Road for use as recreational land and another to enter into a regional fire district with Charlemont.

Article 31, which would have established a demolition delay procedure for buildings that are more than 50 years old at the discretion of the Historical Commission, was the only article on the warrant that did not pass. It was tabled by a unanimous vote.

While voters passed the town’s $4.88 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026 by a majority vote with little discussion, debate over which recreational uses the town can allow on its 179-acre parcel made the land acquisition article the most heavily disputed.

Resident Henry Dandeneau, who said he was the landowner’s cousin, moved to amend the article to change the language stating the land be used for “conservation and passive recreation purposes” to instead allow any “legal recreational uses.”

“This property that we’re talking about was owned by my aunt and uncle. It is presently owned by my first cousin,” Dandeneau said. “I have talked with those parties and it is their desire also that this land remain open, especially for hunting, but they did say for ‘all forms of legal recreation.’”

Open Space and Recreation Committee Chair Aaron Poulin spoke to the $305,000 land purchase, explaining that while Mass Aubudon is expected to cover 52% of the costs, the town plans to raise the remaining funds through two other grants.

Speaking to Dandeneau’s proposed amendment, which later failed 23-26, Poulin explained that while hunting would fall under the state’s definition of “passive use recreation,” changing the language to “all legal forms of recreation” would allow forms of recreation such as motor sports and trapping, and would likely disqualify the town from receiving state conservation grant funding.

After Dandeneau’s amendment failed, the article passed by a two-thirds majority.

Town Meeting members also passed Article 30, to petition the state to enter into a joint fire district with Charlemont, by a majority after Fire Chief Dennis Annear spoke about the town’s need for more permanent fire and emergency rescue services.

“Four days ago, I celebrated 49 years of providing fire and EMS services to the citizens of Franklin County,” Annear said. “We need permanency to guarantee that you have something. ... You have no agreement with Northern Berkshire [EMS] except a handshake that says if they have an ambulance available, they will come to the town.”

Currently, both Charlemont and Rowe maintain their own fire department and share the same fire chief, Annear. If approved by state legislators, the new fire district would be created with an elected moderator, assessor, treasurer and tax collector, plus a three-member fire district committee.

Annear noted that while the district’s creation would serve as a significant investment in Rowe’s long-term safety, it will likely cost the town.

“There’s no way we’re going to be able to do this going into the future without hiring some full-time people,” Annear said. “This is not a cost-saving measure, I’m going to be real up-front.”

Voters also approved an article to amend the town’s zoning bylaws to be consistent with recent changes to state law allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be constructed without needing a special permit on a single-family lot, as long as they meet building codes and health safety requirements.

Registered voters also passed a number of capital projects, such as $300,000 to replace an oil tank at Rowe Elementary School; $110,000 to purchase a new truck, plow and sander for the Highway Department; and $175,000 for planning renovations to the library to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The allocation will expand on the feasibility study that voters approved spending $50,000 on last year to determine what improvements would need to be made to the library.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.