Council to reexamine proposal for new public library

Date: 1/24/2012

Jan. 25, 2012

By Debbie Gardner

debbieg@thereminder.com

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The proposal to construct a new library at the site of Mittineague Elementary School is coming under scrutiny again.

At its Jan. 17 meeting, members of the Town Council voted 7- 0 to again postpone authorization of a $7.1 million bond that represents West Springfield’s share of the proposed $13.4 million project.

“We postponed the vote on the library because the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) voted to extend the appropriations date for six months, “At Large Councilor Brian J. Griffin told Reminder Publications.

Because of ongoing concerns expressed by Town Council members and the public regarding various aspects of the project, the Board of Trustees for the West Springfield Public Library applied to the MBLC for a project extension beyond a Jan. 30 deadline to secure town funding. On Jan. 5, the MBLC unanimously approved the library’s request for an extension of its project application.

Council Vice President John R. Sweeney appointed a four-member ad-hoc committee, consisting of Griffin, Ward 3 Councilor George D. Condon, III, At-Large Councilor Bruce L. Gendron and Ward 2 Councilor Lida Maria Powell, in whose district the proposed library would be constructed, to study the library project and report back to the full council before the new MBLC deadline of June 30.

Griffin said the recently elected Condon and Gendron were appointed to the ad-hoc committee because it is an efficient way to familiarize them with all aspects of the proposed library project.

“We’re going to delve into everything,” Griffin said. “We’re going to delve into the site [at Mittineague School], what [Mayor Greg Neffinger] feels about the site [and] whether he feels the library in its present state can be refurbished for less money.”

He said the group, which he expects to chair, would meet with State Sen. James Welch and Rep. Michael Finn as well as library representatives to get their input on the project.

In addition, he noted the committee plans to closely examine the project’s tax issue as it pertains to the average homeowner to “make sure we have that specific answer” before presenting its findings to the council.

As part of the discovery process, Griffin said he intends to “go through the tapes of all the meetings on this subject” to insure his committee has examined every aspect of the project and all public and town input.

“It’s a big undertaking to take on over six months, but I feel strongly we can do it,” Griffin said.

He expects the committee to be prepared to report on the library issue at the council meeting scheduled for May 7.