SHUTESBURY - By the exact margin needed, residents took the first step toward approving a new library at a special Town Meeting Tuesday night.
The vote in favor of a new $3.5 million library was 268-134. The measure required a two-thirds majority to pass, or approval by at least 268 of the 402 voters who cast ballots.
Voters now must also approve an override of Proposition 2½ on Nov. 8 if the library is to be built.
The town's share of the cost would be $1.4 million. The remaining $2.1 million would be paid with a Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners construction grant that the town received in July.
Supporters of the new library were elated when the results were announced at the elementary school.
"Shutesbury residents supported the new Shutesbury library not only with their votes, but with their pocketbooks," said Mary Anne Antonellis, Shutesbury library director, noting that supporters already have pledged $118,600 toward the new building. A New Library Fundraising Committee is working to raise $400,000.
The vote divided residents who said a new library would help build community and meet the needs of the town's growing population against those worried about a sour national economy and the impact of increased taxes on seniors.
Supporters of a new library said the town's population had outgrown its current facility, the 900-square-foot M.N. Spear Memorial Library in the center of town. Built in 1902, M.N. Spear lacks running water, has a compostable toilet and is only large enough to accommodate six children during story hour, Antonellis said.
At the same time, she added, the library has the fourth highest circulation among towns of its size in the state and is one of the few places in town where residents can access high-speed Internet.
"A library is an available resource to all, especially those of limited means," Antonellis said.
Town officials lined up in support of the project.
George Arvanitis, a finance committee member, said the town could afford the project because the debt on the elementary school is coming off the town's books in 2016.
"With the state financing that is coming to us, plus fundraising, we feel this is a good investment for our town," he said.
The average Shutesbury property owner, with a home valued at $243,814, would see taxes increase by $2,269 over a 20-year borrowing period, Arvanitis said.
Residents debated the proposal for nearly 90 minutes.
Opponents urged their neighbors to consider the impact on seniors and those struggling amid the economic downturn.
"Shame on this town and what it is going to do to seniors," said Steven Puffer of Leverett Road. "I have to log at 73 years of age to pay my taxes, (and) my wife has to work along with me."
Bob Groves said the proposal put before voters called for a facility that was bigger than the town's needs. Shutesbury could meet the growing demands on its library by using space at the elementary school or Old Town Hall as an alternative to the project, he said.
"This is a very expensive project and it is being proposed at a time of national economic crisis," he said.
Groves said the town's tax rate was the highest in Franklin County and among the highest in the state. About the school debt coming off the town's books in 2015, he said, "When a building is built I'd like to see my taxes go down. It's time to get this situation under control."
Supporters said a new library would not only meet the town's growing needs, but build community.
Janis Gray, who helped organize the town's 250th celebrations this year, said she was struck by the number of people who turned out. "Every event we had we were astounded about how many people showed up," she said. "Why, because they are thirsty for community ... The library as envisioned is not just a place for books. It is a place for community and connection."
Susan Essig noted how hard it was to meet their neighbors when her family first moved to town 26 years ago.
"What I would like to see happen is that we have a community center for everyone to enjoy that is multi-generational and multi-programmatic," she said.
A library expansion was first proposed in 1995, but failed after six years of study when Town Meeting balked at enlarging the Spear library. The effort was revived in 2007, with supporters looking to build a new facility on a 22-acre parcel purchased by the town on Leverett Road in 2004.
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