With additional funds needed and questions still unanswered, an article to approve $26,500 for repairs to the Marion Town House basement brought out frustration from voters at the Special Town Meeting.

On Monday night, voters approved the money to be taken from the town’s Free Cash fund to continue ongoing efforts to fix the mold problem in the basement of the building as well as a water infiltration problem.

To date, Town Administrator Paul Dawson said that $58,000 has already been spent, which had resident Sherman Briggs asking how much more will be needed for the project.

“I’ve been going to the Town House for 19 years and I can’t believe there is still water running in that basement,” Briggs said.

“It hasn’t changed. I just have a hard time with this.”

Resident Janet Keeler agreed.

“I’m surprised we haven’t made progress,” Keeler said. “It might be good to have a plan.”

Built in 1877, the Town House is in need of $5.2 million in repairs, according to a 2011 engineering study completed by the architectural firm Durland Van Voorhis.

The needed repairs include a new heating system, plumbing system, sprinklers, elevator, insulation and handicap accessibility.

Over the past few months, officials and residents have been divided on how to proceed with renovations to the building.

In September, the Marion Town House Advisory Committee presented several options to residents – fix the building, tear it down and rebuild, or leave it as it stands.

Since that meeting, residents and officials have raised concern with how the town would finance the project, while others have voiced concern with preserving the historical building.

Last month, Jay Ryder, Chair of the Advisory Committee, said that the committee would bring three recommendations to the spring Town Meeting.

However, until a project manager is brought in to assess the needs of the building and develop cost estimates, Ryder said the project is at a standstill.

“It’s very clear to everyone on the committee that we will need to hire a project manager to do some sort of a study on which one of those three options is the most feasible,” Ryder said.

The last May Town Meeting turned down a proposal to hire a project manager at the cost of $140,000.

On Monday night, several residents present at the Special Town Meeting as well as Selectman John Henry expressed hope to have the proposal passed by the upcoming Town Meeting.

Of the approved funds for the needed repairs to the basement, Henry said, “This does not take into account all of the renovations. This is short of what would be a major renovation project.”

The article passed with only one vote opposed.