Selectmen Mixed on Library Support

Selectmen delivered a split verdict on the proposed town library expansion at their Tuesday, Aug. 17 meeting.

Brook Padgett and John Dowling supported the project and urged the Board of Library Trustees to provide clear and thorough information to the public. 

A meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 at the Community Barn, Wheeler Road to discuss the project. The public is encouraged to attend. 

The trustees will ask residents at October Town Meeting to approve spending up to $12 million for a project that will quadruple the size of the library.

The state has awarded the more than $5 million for its expansion project. The town’s share will be about $6.6 million. Trustees hope that private donations will decrease this amount.

Selectman John Dowling gave his support to the project, but said he planned to attend informational meetings to learn more.

He encouraged the trustees to reach out to the community. “I want to make sure people understand that [the library is] a lot more than a place to get books.’’

Selectman chairman Peter Adams said he could not support this. “I’m taxed out, and everybody I talk to is taxed out,’’ he said. 

He noted that the town is or will soon be paying for numerous projects, including a new high school and the police and fire stations.

“I want to stop now,’’ he said.

Brook Padgett said that he understands that the library will add to the financial burden but said that projects can’t stop because “life doesn’t stop.’’

He said that the library is a focal point of the town and affects the town’ property values.

He said work will have to be done on the library regardless, so this project gives taxpayers the best “bang for our buck.’’

John Carlson said this is a tough financial time to go to taxpayers with another project.

“You couldn’t have picked a worse economic time,’’ he said.

Selectman David Ross was not present.