I attended the December meeting of the Greenfield City Council because a proposal to build anew city library was on the agenda. It was exciting and uplifting to see a wide cross section of the city there to support the project. Several hundred residents including “progressives” and “establishment” types from both political parties, advocates for the handicapped, and city administrators attended. They were all in agreement that Greenfield and Greenfielders must seize this unique opportunity to build a 21st century public library with the state picking up nearly 50 percent of the tab.
Some residents spoke of the many essential services the new facility would provide to schoolchildren and adults. Others spoke of the need for a design that accommodates those with mobility issues. City administrators assured us that financing was in order, and the project could be completed without any need for a tax cap override.
We have been offered a $9.7 million grant by the commonwealth toward the construction of a new library estimated to cost about $19.5 million. The plan is to fund the city’s portion through a fundraising effort and borrow the remainder by issuing municipal bonds. The architect and project manager reported that the alternative, renovating the present library, was impractical for many good reasons. Whether you see the issue in human terms and support the project because it will enable access for the handicapped and access to resources for those in poverty, or whether you support the project because it will generate new business and growth for the city, the project is winner all around.
The public was thanked for the input and the council began deliberation. It soon became apparent that at least four City Councilors were not on board. One was opposed because she wants to protect those with economic issues from the tax increase required to pay down the debt. Another was opposed because he has a philosophical objection to incurring debt. Two others, veteran councilors with a long history of opposing tax increases, are on record as opposed. That is four votes and that may be enough to see this $9,700,000 go to some other town who recognizes a golden goose when they are offered one. It seems curious that the public, invited to weigh in at two forums, appears to be overwhelmingly in favor of the project, while the council has at least four members determined to protect Greenfield residents from the library they want and need.
The councilors concerns about debt and tax increases are appropriate. We are an economically disadvantaged county and any increase in tax bills impacts many families who can barely make ends meet. Councilors are quite reasonably reluctant to increase the tax burden, and a $10 million bond deserves a thorough cost-benefit analysis. Wanda Pyfrom addressed this issue directly during deliberations. In response to her concerns I would say:
Councilors, this library issue is very tough, and a lot of us are working hard to get it right. In our lifetime the gap between wealthy and impoverished has widened considerably. I believe the most important thing we as a society can do to reduce economic inequality is to make opportunities for success available to everyone. For the economically disadvantaged the key to equal opportunity is public education and access to information and technology.
For many success will come through their schooling and personal growth, and our public schools and our library are their primary tools for moving ahead. When I heard that very few of our schools have a librarian, and that there is no move afoot to hire them, I thought that kids who do not have a parent or teacher to mentor them and provide access to books and other materials cannot hope to compete.
There is no question that the cost of a library is a lot of money to many Greenfield families, but if for that money they get unlimited access to the internet at the library, and unlimited access to library staff and resources, many children from these families will have a much better chance to make it to GCC or tech school or wherever their talent and interest take them. Defeating the library is a victory for the faction who want lower taxes even if it means reduced services. The taxes saved will benefit the wealthy disproportionally and when we cut services we hurt the needy disproportionally.
My wife and I will use the library. We believe that a busy, friendly library is one of the big keys to a vibrant, nurturing, community. In the same way that the Y builds strong bodies, the library builds strong minds and a strong community. Please don’t be the one who denies those who need most the resource that could mean so much to their future. Thank you for voting to support this important project
The other night the council seemed headed for a “no” vote on the project. At the last minute council members who supported the bill moved to table the issue and succeeded, but time is running out and the offer of $9.7 million expires soon. The council will revisit this issue next month with a final chance to secure the grant and get the project off the ground.
Those of us who support this project must pledge money now to show the council that the tax burden can be reduced. Those of us who are represented by Isaac Mass, Brickett Allis, Wanda Pyfrom, and Verne Sund need to tell them that they represent you and you want the city to seize this tremendous opportunity. Ask them to join everyone from the political left and right, young people and seniors, the disabled and the impoverished, those who like to read and those who enjoy access to resources available through a public library in supporting this project. Do not let a well-meaning council with a flawed view of the public interest put the kibosh on this tremendous opportunity.
Robert Sagor is a retired veterinarian. He has been a Greenfield resident for the past 30 years.