Letters to the Editor: Two Pro-Library Views

Once again Suffield residents find themselves faced with the decision of whether or not to build a new public library. Unlike the project that was voted down nearly two years ago, the new proposal’s price tag for us taxpayers is down to $6.9 million, after taking into consideration the $1.5 million in donations pledged by the Suffield Public Library Foundation.

While admittedly I am not a professional engineer or architect, my years of experience with large building projects as a business official for both the Enfield and Suffield lead me to be very cautious when considering the accuracy of the published preliminary cost estimates of between $3.5 and 5 million to repair and update the present facility.

Given the uncertainty typically encountered with large-scale repair projects and the further potential for difficulty presented by the unique concrete construction of the current facility, I am inclined to believe the cost to address identified code violations and replace outdated mechanical and building systems will ultimately inch much closer to the $6.9 million taxpayer cost to build a brand new, larger, and far more practical facility.

The timing of the decision to move forward is even more critical than ever. Suffield finds itself with the rare opportunity to take advantage of a declining debt service, favorably low bond interest rates, and the ability to avoid having to begin paying for costly repairs to the current facility. The delayed $650,000 replacement of the roof is just the first on the list of identified and/or pending expensive repair projects that will undoubtedly obligate the capital improvements portion of the annual operating budget for many years to come.

I urge that we come together as a community on April 28 and vote yes in support of the new library building.

Michael Alexopoulos, Jr.

Library Commission

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As chairman of Suffield's Board of Finance for many years, and more recently as the town Treasurer, I had the reputation of having fiscal constraint, especially when it came to new town buildings.

However, regarding the proposed new library which we will vote on during the Referendum on April 28, I enthusiastically endorse it. There is no sense in spending at least $3.5 million to fix the present library when $6.9 million will give us a new facility. 

There will be space to meet present needs and room to grow, better access for all and ample convenient parking. Repairing the present building will still result in a cramped plant in which future repairs will be needed due to its age, and it will still have accessibility problems. To fix the American Disability Act requirements will actually result in less available space.

All in all, the new library is the only reasonable option to meet Suffield's needs.

Blair Childs,

Suffield, CT

Suffield Patch welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Letters may be edited by Patch for length and clarity. Send them to perry.robbin@patch.com.