Greenfield has the opportunity to build a new library — a library that is more in line with the size of Greenfield, our needs and creating a fiscally sound and vibrant future for Greenfield. These opportunities don’t often come around.
Library supporters have spent seven years developing the plans and asking for community input. Our current 222-year-old library is beautiful — but it no longer meets Greenfield’s needs. Once it became clear that Greenfield might not build a new library, then the old one needed to become ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and get up to code. These things were set aside in the hopes of our new library.
Some people are questioning the numbers for the renovation of the old library, but looking carefully at the numbers it is clear that fixing up the old will cost about the same as building a new one. Except the old library would lose a lot of space and usefulness if renovated. Why would we give up the room needed when we don’t have to? What if the old library really does need to close for a year to bring it up to code?
We need a library. The current fire station needs to be replaced. It doesn’t meet the present needs of the fire department, never mind the future needs. A new library will bring Greenfield into today and support our growth into the Greenfield we are building together. I hope that as a town, on Nov. 5, we will vote YES to accept the grant to help us build a new library.
Diane Clancy
Greenfield