Selectboard Denied Library Bond Vote Request

by Amy Kolb Noyes

MORRISTOWN - By a vote of four to one the Morristown Selectboard denied
a request from the Morristown Centennial Library Trustees to hold a bond
vote for a stand-alone library renovation and expansion project. The
library board must now decide whether to bypass the board by petitioning
for a vote or hold out for the possibility of a combined bond with an
undefined Town Hall project.
A year ago, the library was ready to embark on a renovation and
expansion project, when approached by the town with the possibility of a
combined Town Hall and library facility. A bond for the combined project
passed the muster of the voters last Town Meeting Day. However, a revote
was petitioned and the project went down by eight votes. Now the town
must decide whether to continue pursuing a combined project or attempt
to construct a separate Town Hall facility.
Library trustees have told the town the delay has meant a significant
rise in construction costs for the originally planned library project.
Library Trustee President J.B. McKinley argued the library can no longer
hold off, as the construction estimate has risen 12% annually since
2002. The library board asked the selectboard to approve a separate
library bond vote this fall, so the library project can move ahead while
the town decides how it should proceed.
At its meeting Monday evening, August 30, the selectboard declined to
approve a separate library bond, and asked the library board to be
patient as the town formed a new steering committee to look into town
hall options. Shaun Bryer was the only selectman to vote in the library
board's favor. The balance of the board indicated the library and Town
Hall projects should be funded under one bond, even if the projects were
to be built at two locations. Town officials said they fear voters will
approve only one bond, leaving the Town Hall project unfunded.
Selectman Jim Paige said the town is moving forward and there is still
time for a combined bond vote before the next construction season.
"I think the new facilities group needs to have some time to come up
with the best solution," said Paige.
The selectboard agreed to form a nine-member committee to meet
every-other-week until a new Town Hall project plan could be finalized.
The board was forwarded a list of volunteers willing to sit on the
committee. From that list the board selected residents Julia Compagna,
Tina Tomlinson, Richard "Buckwheat" Lowe, Sonny Sanborn, Sharon Green,
Shirley Mason and Paul Griswold. Brian Greenia will represent the
selectboard on the committee and one seat was left open to be filled by
a representative from the library trustees. Architect Paul Trudell, who
sat on the original town hall facilities committee, also volunteered to
sit on the new committee. However, the selectboard did not appoint him
as a voting member on the new committee because he is not a resident of
Morristown.
The first meeting of the facilities committee has been scheduled for 6
p.m. on Tuesday, September 7, at the small meeting room at the
Morrisville Water & Light facility. The meetings are open to the public.