Following a long history of failed attempts for project development of the Westfield land, residents at Town Meeting, once again, rejected an article that would have moved development efforts forward. Voters Monday disallowed the Board of Selectmen's authority to sell the land, and to sell it without restrictions.

Board of Selectman Chairman Patrick Tropeano said the Selectmen were looking at the land as a future investment to generate revenue for the town. Previous restrictions placed on Westfield drew zero interest from developers.

“There was so many restrictions, and so much stuff put on it last time, we are asking you to trust us,” Tropeano said.

Residents came to the microphones and shared concerns about not having specifics from the Selectmen about what the land would be used for.

Finance Committee Chairman David Heard recommended to add language at the end of the article to include “subject to the approval at Town Meeting.”

Heard’s amendment passed, which effectively negated the article’s original intent for the Board’s autonomy in making decisions on the future of the property.

However, even with the amended language, the voters rejected the article134 to 74 in a hand-counted vote that did not secure the two-thirds favor it needed to pass.

The property known as Westfield is a 77-acre portion of land located off of Charlotte Furnace Road in West Wareham, it has had five previous appearances before Town Meeting. Most recently, in November, 2010, when proposal was approved but with stipulations that not more than one-third of the property be used for senior housing, that all units be affordable and restricted to seniors, and that any developer hired to complete the project be required to maintain the property's athletic fields.