The northern part of this land was dedicated for the town cemetery and for its first meetinghouse, which was used for both civic and religious functions.

The southern portion remained open land until 1846, when the town hall and academy building was built.

Adjacent to this building is one known locally as "The Beehive", which was built as a dormitory for students at the academy.

[2] The open area of the common between the meetinghouse and town hall has been somewhat encroached upon by road widening projects, and a small triangular section has been isolated from its bulk.

The scales, whose working elements were provided by the Fairbanks Company, were installed by the town in collaboration with a local hotelier, who probably also acted as a hay merchant.