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| By Jason Poole Reminder Correspondent WILBRAHAM The Wilbraham Public Library has been accepted to receive a provisionary state construction grant that would pay $2.6 million of an estimated $8.2 million construction project that would expand the library by 16,000 square feet. The Board of Library Trustees appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday to discuss their plans for getting town approval for the new construction project. The Trustees plan to raise about $1 million to help pay for the project along with the grant, resulting in the town paying the remaining $4.6 million over an eight year period. Residents of the town must approve of the project at a special town meeting in the fall, and then the town must hold a debt exclusion override vote, which would take place approximately 45 days after the town meeting. The whole process must be completed by January 7, 2006, for the library to receive the grant. The Selectmen recommended having the town meeting by no later than the beginning of October, with the vote to come in November before the Thanksgiving holiday. There was also talk of having the vote in early December as well. "I think you have to view this as a political campaign, you have to sell your message," said Selectmen Kevin J. Moriarty. The Selectmen agreed that by having the town meeting first, the Trustees would be given a forum to present their proposal to the town, which would be a benefit before actually holding the override vote. If Wilbraham residents vote to approve the construction project, the town has 9 months to break ground after the grant contract is signed. The Trustees will meet again with the Selectmen on August 1 to decide on when the debt exclusion override would take place. The Board of Selectmen also held a tobacco violation hearing with PurrFect Auto on Main Street. On May 11, at approximately 6:30 p.m. a 16-year-old young man was able to purchase a pack of cigarettes without being carded. Employees from PurrFect Auto denied the charges and claimed that the Board of Selectmen had no prove of the violation. "I find it very hard to believe that a phantom purchased these cigarettes," said Selectman David W. Barry. PurrFect Auto appealed their last violation in court, but lost the appeal. The company is planning on appealing this violation as well, with a court date set for August 24. "I'm really disappointed, it's not the intent of the community to fabricate stories," said Selectman James E. Thompson. A second tobacco violation usually results in the business that committed the infraction paying a fine, but the Selectmen voted instead to suspend the tobacco license of PurrFect Auto because they were disappointed with PurrFect Auto's claim that the infraction never occurred. The Board also reviewed the proposal to change the "Fleet Commons" sign in Crane Park. The proposal is to change the sign to "Bank Of America Commons." Some Wilbraham residents voiced their displeasure of the change, stating that the name on the sign seems to change every few years. Despite the concerns, the Selectmen approved the name change of the sign. The sign will be the same color and size as it is now; only the name of the bank will be changed. |