Where Does the Library Go From Here?

The soon-to-be-established planning and building committee will look at the accessibility, safety and infrastructure needs of the library to determine the next steps to take.

The Board of Library Trustees met with selectmen tonight to discuss where to go from here, following the rejection last month of a library expansion project that would have cost the town about $6 million, with a state grant covering an additional $5 million.

This new committee, formed by Town Meeting voters in October, will look at the library’s future.  The committee will include four members of the general public and representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Board of Library Trustees, Planning Board and Historic District Commission.

Officials at tonight's meeting discussed how best to address outstanding concerns at the building, including accessibility.

The library was cited in 1999 by the Architectural Access Board for violation of accessibility requirements. The problems included inadequate bathrooms and doorway openings and the lack of vertical access between the floors of the building.

The state board can fine communities up to $1,000 per day if these issues are not addressed.

The solution to these problems was estimated at $192,000 several years ago.  The Community Preservation Committee granted the library about $172,000 to handle these issues.

Architect Andrew Deschenes noted that these fixes are only minimal and would not be enough to consider the library fully compliant under the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

These fixes, trustees have said, meet the minimum standards and would not allow every area of the library to be accessible to those with disabilities. Doing that could be a complex process that could cost $1 million, Deschenes said.

Selectman John Carlson said that he would be concerned about a plan that would spend money for the issue, only to have the problem be raised again should someone demand full compliance.

Deschenes suggested that an overall assessment be performed on the building. The building committee could then look at options and priorities.

Selectman Brook Padgett said that, with the state grant no longer in play, the town could make its own decision on the size and scope of work at the library. This would give the town more flexibility to determine what changes should and should not be made, he said.

Resident Ernest Peters said the town should do enough to allow the library to meet state compliance requirements and nothing more.

“Let’s try to do something you can live with right now,’’ he said. The vote showed that people are not in the mood to spend more money, he said.

When debt on other existing projects dwindles, then the issue of significant work can be revisited, he said.