BUXTON – A recount Tuesday failed to overturn defeat of the June 14 referendum asking Buxton voters to convert the Hanson School to a community center.

According to Town Clerk John Myers, advocates of reusing the school gained one vote, but still lost, 549-540. The original tally was a 10-vote margin against the proposal, 546-536. Myers said 15 ballots were determined blanks in the recount while 21 were counted as blank on June 14.

If successful, the town would have leased the former school from School Administrative District 6 for one year at $1. Buxton voters were also asked to appropriate $68,000 for the first year.

The recount began at 9 a.m. and ended at 11:25 a.m., said Myers, with 1,104 ballots reviewed and counted.

The Hanson School on Route 22 has been vacant since September, when the new Buxton Center Elementary School opened next door.

The recount was viewed by three selectmen – Chairman Peter Burns, Jean Harmon and Dianne Senechal.