FINAL UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: High School Plan Passes Town Meeting

11:00 a.m.: We welcome you live to Special Town Meeting at , where residents are pouring in to voice their decision on the new high school project.

Town Moderator Jim Stewart announced at the scheduled start time of 10:30 a.m. that due to the number of residents who were waiting in line outside of the school before the scheduled start time, he will wait until those residents are checked in before starting the meeting.

At 11 a.m., Stewart came to microphone once more to tell those in attendance that there are still several hundred residents needing to check in, so it will be another half hour or so until the meeting kicks off. In addition to those people who were here by 10:30 a.m., there are still hundreds of residents beyond that. Using the auditorium as a satellite room appears to be a definite possibility.

11:20 a.m.: It looks like the meeting is just minutes away from starting. The gym is nearly full, and there is a smaller line of residents waiting to check in.

11:23 a.m.: Moderator Jim Stewart just announced that the gymnasium is officially full. There are several hundred residents who will now move to the auditorium to watch remotely, and the meeting will start in 10-15 minutes once they are settled.

11:47 a.m.: And we're off. Stewart is running through the ground rules of the meeting, and will soon be drawing the first article to be discussed out of a bowl.

"I don't have the official turnout number," said Stewart. "But this has to be a town of Wilmington record, congratulations."

11:53 a.m.: Stewart just asked residents. "Ready to roll?" and is now beginning the reading of the warrant.

The first item to be discussed is Article 1, which is the reason residents have filled the gym. Talk about luck of the draw.

12:16 p.m.: Town Manager Michael Caira ran down the financial impact of the school. The average annual tax impact is anticipated at $164, though the first bill would be for about $230. In the final year of the 25-year bond, the figure would dip to about $100.

"There's no denying that we are in a difficult economic situation," said Caira. "I don't doubt that the additional cost will be a burden of some, but in my perspective it's a burden worth assuming for the future of our children."

12:32 p.m.: Four residents have spoken so far. The first spoke about the wetlands, Jim Lamay spoke of his support for the school, Kevin MacDonald voiced concerns for the plan, and one resident just asked about the impact on students during construction.

"We would be taking down the gym, which is the only piece to come down right now," said Caira. "Otherwise the school will not be disrupted. Clearly there will be noise and activity going on. No one is denying that. We are not having to bring in trailers or secondary classrooms or cutting into core classrooms."

A fifth resident just came to microphone and said, "Schools don’t educate students, quality teachers educate students."

12:37 p.m.: A resident just asked the moderator to move the question, which would end debate on the article. 

By a wide margin, the vote passed, and Selectman Michael Newhouse will now have the floor for up to 10 minutes.

"I'll try to be brief," said Newhouse, who received a round of applause.

12:44 p.m.: The question has been officially asked, and "Yes" voters are standing. Based on just the eye test, it appears there is a good chance the school will pass. As residents voting for the school stood, they gave a standing ovation for nearly one minute.

1:02 p.m.: Article 1 passes by a wide margin of 1,426-31. Kevin MacDonald has moved to reconsider.

1:08 p.m.: The motion to reconsider fails clearly. 

The fish bowl raffles system is on a roll. The next item for discussion is Article 6, Kevin MacDonald's petitioned article which asks residents to preserve the current high school.

1:38 p.m.: Some residents are starting to file out after Article 1 passed, the vote to reconsider failed, Article 6 failed and the motion to reconsider failed as well.

That means the high school plans will not be debated anymore, with the acception of the article asking residents to approve the purchase of a small piece of land related to the school.

Article 3 and 4 are up for discussion now, which have to do with tree removal.

1:53 p.m.: Both articles about tree removal pass with little resistance. 

The next item up for debate right now is the purchase of a one quarter acre  of land that is currently used by the school for outdoor activities.

1:57 p.m.: The land will be purchased after another lopsided vote. Article 5, the last item on the agenda is now up for discussion. This item will be passed over, so all six articles on the agenda have been completed.

The final piece of business is now completed. The motion to ajorn.

2:21 p.m.: Officially signing out from Special Town Meeting. However, Patch's coverage doesn't stop here. Check back on Monday for complete video reaction to the vote, and what it means for the town moving forward.

Check back throughout the day on Wilmington Patch for live updates from this historic vote.