JAY – Residents voted 29-13 to transfer $177,500 from the town’s $5.5 million undesignated fund to the building reserve account to secure the remainder of the money needed to renovate the former Jay Family Restaurant into a new municipal office and police station.

The meeting Tuesday took less than 20 minutes, most of that time spent while residents waited in line to get their name checked off and to cast a secret ballot on the issue.

When meeting moderator Michael Gentile called for discussion prior to the vote, not a hand went up. No one spoke, either.

Their minds were already made up.

The $177,500 was needed to make up the difference for the $918,796.96 cost of the project that included money for a generator, parking lot paving and a contingency fund.

Voters approved buying the property for $270,000 in January by a 92-72 vote.

The town had saved about $729,000 for the project.

Town leaders expect the undesignated fund account to be replenished with $100,000 in unanticipated state revenue and the sale of the existing town office.