Library Project Moves Forward

A new Grafton library took a step forward tonight with Town Meeting approval of a tentative design.

A new library is expected to cost about $11 million, with $5 million coming from a state grant.

Tonight's vote was required for the state to consider awarding the grant.

The vote also followed the announcement by Town Administrator Timothy McInerney that the town had reached agreement hours earlier to purchase the adjacent Perreault property.

The announcement was greeted with cheers.

Obtaining this land, which had been approved by voters at a previous Town Meeting, will give the library the space it needs for expansion.

Library trustee Henry Poler stressed that this vote will not cost the town anything and will allow planning to proceed.

A vote on a price tag could come at the October Town Meeting.

Voters were presented with designs and information on a library that would more than quadruple the current size. The current building is 7,000 square feet; the new proposal would bring the size to 29,00o square.

The new library would provide services for all ages and interest levels, said Stuart Roberts of the architectural firm of Johnson Roberts Architects.

He said the new building would have space for studying, meeting and computer work, with an adult services area that would serve as "the living room for the town.''

Poler said the trustees will continue private fund-raising efforts to defray the cost of the library. He said that informational meetings will be held prior to October Town Meeting. 

Although the issue was passed by a wide margin, some residents did express concerns about the cost of another new building project and the need for such a significant expansion.