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Date: 1/4/2022
SPRINGFIELD – In their final meeting of 2021, the Springfield City Council approved a diverse mixture of remaining business items, including items surrounding the city’s public libraries, during their special meeting on Dec. 22.
Deputy Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Lindsay Hackett spoke on behalf of a $413,704 grant awarded to the district public libraries. She shared the grant is part of a state aid program the city has been apart of for the last seven years, with the funds boosting different support tools for the city’s libraries. “Some of it is used for personal services, some if it is used for substitute librarians and some of it towards library programs,” said Hackett.
In a unanimous vote, the City Council approved the grant.
While funds were awarded to each library, another $50,000 grant was also rewarded to Springfield Central Library for the development of the Brogan Research Center. Hackett explained that the donation from the Library Foundation will be used to purchase equipment, furniture and building upgrades to make the space a reality. The council approved the grant in a unanimous vote.
The committee also discussed complications behind an order for an outdoor reading room for the East Springfield Library. Administrator of Springfield’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Karen Lee highlighted that the library was suggested for a $85,000 CPC grant to refine the outdoor space. However, Lee revealed that the library’s potential expansion may impact the future of this space and the CPC funds going toward them.
To resolve the financial conflict, Lee stated an amendment for the CPC funding to occur. “All parties are in agreement that if future expansion of the library impacts the outdoor community space improved by this grant, the funds will be returned to the CPC budget,” said Lee. The council ultimately approved this amendment in a unanimous vote.
Other Business
During the truncated final meeting of 2021, the councilors resolved other remaining items from the yearly calendar. The councilors approved a special permit for the Basketball Hall of Fame to alter their signage, with President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame John Doleva sharing during the Dec. 20 meeting that the new sign would promote tourism throughout the city.
The council also approved a $92,735 Emergency Management Performance Grant for the Springfield Fire Department. Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi explained that the yearly grant is utilized for various projects in the department, with the funds this year being dedicated to equipment for the department’s bomb squad.
The City Council will meet again on Jan. 10.