Belmont Selectboard looking at options to fund $4.85M library expansion

BELMONT — The Belmont Selectboard is considering a $4.85 million library expansion project, though how it will be paid for remains to be decided.

During their meeting Wednesday night, Town Administrator Alicia Jipson was tasked with researching loan and bond options for the two-story addition to the structure, which they started using as the library in 1927.

The project budget includes construction costs, furniture, fixtures and equipment, final design and engineering, and a $495,000 contingency fund at the recommendation of SMP Architects, a Concord-based firm specializing in municipal projects.

“When we look at budgeting, it’s not just about construction. We want to look at it more holistically,” said Principal Architect Jason LaCombe. “It’s really about risk management. We have a concept, we have a design and we put a budget together based on reasonable assumptions. It’s important ... that when we bring a project to the voters that they trust the number, and know that we’re not going to come back and ask for more.”

The funding source remains undetermined. Library trustees began researching loans alongside bond options ahead of the Sept. 17 presentation, knowing the pitch to the voting public would be tough.

“We know financing is an issue. At this point in time, we have not had the opportunity to explore that further,” said Shela Cunningham, library trustee. Cunningham, alongside Chair Mary Charnley and Library Director Eileen Gilbert, shared brief research on loan versus bond options, acknowledging the pros and cons of each. “We have a design that we really love. We think it meets the needs of what we’ve asked the architect to do for us.”

If bonded, the project would be a tough sell to a community which hasn’t approved a town budget in two years.

“Obviously you’ve seen the voting, the number of people who even come out and vote has been brutal,” said Selectboard Chair Ruth Mooney. “You’ve not only got to sell it, but you’ve got to convince them that they have to go to vote for it to work.”

It’s not the first time the library has considered upgrades. According to Gilbert, discussions go back at least four decades.

“It’s been more than 40 years that the library has been trying,” she said. “It hasn’t always been actively trying, but the people have recognized” there’s a need for expansion in order to properly provide services.

Additionally, Gilbert spoke about possible grant options which would make a significant contribution to the overall cost of the project.

“I have been looking at grant opportunities, which are not as thick on the ground as they used to be,” she said. “There are four or five grants that if we had a project that was warrant article-ready, I think I could reasonably apply for those grants.”

LaCombe presented concept renderings, highlighting several of the amenities the two-story expansion will feature. Lots of consideration was given to the historical elements of the building, including the main entrance.

“We believe that libraries — any municipal building — have a place in the community, and you have a beautiful historic building that has a presence on Main Street,” said LaCombe. “That is really valued.”

Features of the library expansion will enhance Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, a new split-entry located at the rear of the building near the site’s pre-existing parking, community rooms, a screened-in porch and better site lines.

“We were trying to lessen the impact on the historic interior as well as the exterior, but still make the library flow; get really good lines of sight,” LaCombe said, which will help staff members see who is entering and exiting the building.

Additionally, the architectural firm hopes to integrate the gazebo on the Town Green into the library’s design, so it can become more of a fixture in townwide events.

“We thought this was an opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful gazebo the town has, and that town green, really get the library integrated,” he said.

Jipson will now research bond and loan options and provide an update in the near future. The next selectboard meeting is at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Belmont Mill, 14 Mill St.