NORTH ATTLEBORO - A four-acre parcel surrounding the LeStage house and barn were split off from the rest of the town-owned property on Wednesday - setting the stage for a debate on what its future use should be.

Representative Town Meeting members voted 39-30 in favor of creating a separate parcel for the house and barn on the High Street land.

Selectmen argued that boundary lines had to be set in order to solicit proposals on a future use of the property - whether the town decides to sell the house or use it as the base for a community farm. Any sale of the property would have to be approved by the RTM at a later date, however.

"Whether the town wants to entertain a community farm or sell the house, it's important we identify the parcel," said selectmen Chairman William Moffitt.

Some RTM members felt uncomfortable spitting the property until a plan is formulated. Molly Sullivan, a young voter who has a history of urging the town to conserve the 58-acre LeStage property for open space, argued against creating the boundary lines.

"This is a subdivision, and usually subdivisions are competed in preparation for something. They should be coming to us with a proposal first," she argued.

However, proponents of using the property as a community farm said they can't move forward unless the town sets apart a parcel and requests proposals for its use.

"We can't have a community farm unless boundaries are set," said RTM member Joan Meilan, an advocate for using the land for that purpose.

Other RTM members argued in favor of selling the house, which is currently sitting empty.

"We spent over $2 million on this property, and we're still paying the bond, so every year it's costing us money. If we sold a small piece, maybe we could pay off a part of this bond," said Leonard Pierce of Precinct 5.

With boundary lines now set, selectmen will have the option of seeking proposals for its future use.