There will be a vote at Shutesbury’s annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 21, to decide whether to accept or decline a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) under the Small Library Pilot Project for state money to build a new library.
In the past, cost estimates were made known early in the application process. This pilot project postponed any financial estimates until after a “wish list” application was submitted. Shutesbury officials were hoping to keep the town’s share of the cost around $1 million. However, with no fiscal constraints and MBLC officials encouraging library patrons, residents, and library officials to “think big” and make this their dream library; size, features and furnishings were limitless.
Many people who were skeptical about a new library attempted to voice concerns about size and cost, but the allure of “free” money from the state and the desire for a new building downplayed those concerns. Now with an $8.3 million price tag and Shutesbury’s share at $3.3 million, sticker shock is settling in.
Shutesbury needs to pay for fixing the elementary school roof that has been leaking for eight years, buying a new 10-wheeled dump truck, a police cruiser, a vehicle for the fire chief, and renovating the track at the regional school.
These essential capital project costs total another $2 million, on top of the $3.3 million estimated for a new library. These projects need to be our priorities, not building a new, very expensive library.
It’s time to withdraw from the MBLC’s project. While there is justification for an affordable library in Shutesbury, the Small Library Pilot Project is not the way to get there. This will be decided at Shutesbury’s annual Town Meeting on May 21. Please attend.
Michael Vinskey
Shutesbury