By Andrew Martin

     Residents who attend Morristown’s Town Meeting in March will be asked to approve an article which requests a sum up to $300,000 that would be awarded to help finish the addition and renovations to the Morristown Centennial Library. Until this point, all the renovations performed at the library have been funded using only private donations. Thus far those private donations have supplied the over one million dollars that has been spent on the renovations.
     The article regarding the request for funds for the library states that the $300,000 will be borrowed for a period that will not exceed five years in order to finish the improvements to the library. The $300,000 total and the five-year time period would mean that each year a total of $68,000 would be added to the budget. The yearly addition of $68,000 would include the interest that will accrue on the funds during that time. The two-story addition to the library adds a total of nearly 5,000 square feet, but more work is required before the new space can be opened to users.
     According to Sue Sargent, who is the chairperson of the Morristown Centennial Library Board of Trustees, the $300,000 would be used for a variety of tasks, including the purchase and installation of the security system that will be used in the building. Other jobs the funds would be used for include the creation of the outside parking area and sidewalk as well as the purchase and installation of the outside lighting. Additionally, the funds would allow for the library to complete the interior of the building while also purchasing and installing the necessary furniture, appliances, cupboards, and shelving.
    “The $300,000 will allow us to become fully operational,” stated Sargent, “There may still be work to do after, but if so, the funds for that work can be brought in through more fundraising.”
     If the funds for the library are approved by voters, then Sargent stated that optimally the remaining construction work would begin as soon as the money becomes available in July. If that occurs, then the trustees would hope to have all construction finished by the fall.
     “We are really looking forward to having the support of the voters at Town Meeting and encourage everyone to come,” stated Sargent.