Breaking News: Library Plan OKed by Two Votes

Town Meeting voters approved a new expansion tonight by two votes.

A two-thirds majority was required. The vote was 523 for the plan and 259 against.

Gasps of shock at the close vote and cheers went up from the crowd when Town Moderator Ray Mead announced the totals.

The issue now goes to a townwide ballot vote, where a simple majority is required. The date has not been set but is scheduled to be discussed at the Tuesday night selectmen's meeting.

Voters approved spending $6.6 million on an expansion of the library, which would remain at its current location on the Common.

The total cost of the library is $11.7 million, with $5.1 million to be covered by a state grant awarded in July.

The proposal approved tonight will quadruple the size of the library, from its current size of 7,000 square feet to 29,000 square feet.

Supporters of the library argued at tonight's meeting that, even in the digital age, libraries are seeing more patrons on a local, state and national level.

A new library, Library Board of Trustees member Diane Libbey said, would "serve everyone in town, regardless of age, income or ability.''

The Finance Committee supported the article, saying it was the most financially sensible way to solve the space issue at the library.

Work must be done on the library to make the building handicapped accessible. Supporters argued that this work would be done with town money and not offset by grant funds, unlike the proposal discussed tonight.

Opponents said the town cannot afford another building project, in the wake of a new police and fire station and the Grafton High School construction project.

James Walsh argued that more options should be explored to expand the library. This proposal, he said, is too large in size and too expensive.

Library trustee Henry Poler said the library will serve the town's needs for years to come and will make "a cultural statement about the town.''