Silver/Petrucelli Associates
The Board of Finance (BOF) heard an update Monday night on the plans and funding for a $4.9 million renovated Blackstone Memorial Library, a plan that will bring the iconic 1896 library into the 21st century. The library provides a rich variety of resources for town residents, regardless of age but it needs restructuring.
Bill O’Brien Photo
On Tuesday morning library officials unveiled a “Campaign for the Blackstone” progress thermometer, installing it on the library’s lawn. Plans call for a 2,000 square-foot addition on the ground floor, and reconfiguration of many interior spaces throughout the library. The distinctive front entrance and steps will remain the same.
The library update gave the BOF the latest information on a community wide campaign to help fund a renovation long overdue. Robin Sandler, a member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), who sits on the library’s Board of Trustees, told the BOF that “we know there will be no votes taken tonight,” but he wanted the BOF to be kept in the loop, to be brought up-to-date on the library’s efforts. Then, he said, when “we come back, we will ask if we can get a vote. That is what we will ask.”
Marcia Chambers Photo
Joseph Mooney, chair of the BOF, was cautious. “We are in holding pattern,” he told library officials. “Nobody knows what the state is going to do to solve its budget problems. Even the state doesn’t know at this point. Until the state comes up with a budget and everybody knows where they are, towns are declining to make any commitment. And that is reasonable.” The expectation is that by September, the state will come up with a budget. “When they do, all the towns will know the amounts of money they are getting and they will have a context in which to make a decision.”
State Budget Woes
Marcia Chambers Photo
The library’s trustees and its director, Karen Jensen, (pictured) understand the state’s budget condition. But they wanted to schedule the August meeting before the BOF because library officials know they are under a tight deadline.
The Blackstone has been awarded a $1 million state library grant, but to get the $1 million grant the library must have all its funds in place by March 1, 2018. This means the funds from various places must be accounted for and committed to the library project. Otherwise, the $1 million state library grant will be lost.
It happened before. The library once lost a state renovation grant totaling $1 million when the 2008 Great Recession eliminated it. According to Andy McKirdy, chair of the Board of Trustees, the Blackstone received its current grant in 2013. Now that the grant is in the stretch run, with a deadline in sight, the library’s officials and friends felt it was time to lay the foundation for quick work by town boards should the town be able to bond the project.
Library supporters have been working hard. Since its launch last April, the library campaign has generated more than $400,000 in donations and pledges toward its $800,000 goal. Nearly 500 members of the community have contributed funds and the Branford Community Foundation has pledged to match individual gifts in amounts up to $1,000 for a total match of $100,000, Jensen said.
In an interview, McKirdy said that in addition to the Branford Community Foundation commitment, “We have no question we will be able to come up with $800,000. And we have the million from the state.” What the library now needs is about $3.1 million from the town, which will come by way of bonding. All these funding avenues will combine to reach the $4.8 million the renovation is expected to cost.
Silver/Petrucelli Associates
“The Blackstone Library is an outstanding community resource that deserves everyone’s support,” McKirdy said. “We feel confident in the campaign’s ability to reach its goal.”
The RTM and the library’s board of trustees previously approved funds for a final design development plan. David Heer, project executive for Downes Construction, presented a power point display to the BOF Monday evening. Click here to view it. The balance of the funding, about $3.1 million will be requested of the RTM in the fall.
Jensen says plans are on track to begin construction in early spring next year. The library has planned the renovation in phases and intends to remain in the building during construction.
Whether the town can provide the $3.1 million bonding remains unclear at this point.
Other Actions
In other actions, Mooney announced the resignation Ken Kaminsky, a long serving member of the prestigious board. Kaminsky is ill. Charlie Shelton, who sat next to Kaminsky, a fellow Republican for many years, described him as knowledgeable, committed, and concerned and said the board would miss him and his financial knowledge.
Other budget transfers were made to the fire and police departments and to the department of public works. The town allocated an additional $48,325 in fees to its outside law firm, Brenner, Saltzman & Wallman, and an additional $15,350 for legal fees associated with tax appeals.
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Wow, $4.9 million for a tiny addition to include a circulation desk, hallway, some toilets and a vestibule. How do these folks come up with this? The state budget is in crisis, there are so many residents and businesses in town struggling to make ends meet. How fancy a library do we need under these circumstances? What is the construction cost per foot? How is the Town going to raise over $3 million dollars to pay for the library? We must be swimming in money somewhere- new community center/ senior center, fire station that looks like a luxury hotel, and now this. Holy smoke. I think I got lost and must be in Greenwich!