Trustee letter to selectboard 11/11

November 15, 2011

Dear Select Board Members,

We respectfully request that you consider a re-vote for the Library Building Project, which is allowable under state law; MGL c. 59 scc 21C(k). The new Shutesbury Library Project has been supported through four previous Town Meeting votes. The $2.1 million grant is the result of four years of careful research and planning. This opportunity will not be available to us again. Because of the investment of thousands of man hours and town funds contributed towards this project over the past decade, we respectfully request that you support another debt exclusion override referendum.

We would like the opportunity to have open community discussions to address apparent contradictory information distributed widely from opponents of the library project immediately before the election. There were 291 individuals who voted No on the Referendum without the benefit of the shared discussion at the Special Town Meeting. Some examples of this contradictory information includes, {See attached}:

· We can build a library ourselves for less.

· The interest and the tax rate were not included in the information distributed by the Finance Committee.

· The use of the elementary school for the town offices.

· The Old Town Hall is a viable option for a new library.

· The current Town Hall is a viable option for a new library.

· The operating cost of the library will increase with the increase in the size of the building.

· The cost for library materials will be $273,640 when we move into the new library.

· The Town of Shutesbury will need $5,244,200.00 in the next 3 – 5 years for capital costs.

· The size of UMASS is declining.

· That each child in Shutesbury is read to everyday.

Both the Library Trustees and Spear Library employees received emails and phone calls questioning the issues noted above.

Since November 8, the Shutesbury Fundraising Committee has received $11,000 of pledges for this project, bringing the total of funds pledged and raised to $142,000.

Given all the reasons listed above, the M.N. Spear Library Board of Trustees respectfully request that another vote be held.

Respectfully submitted,

M.N. Spear Trustees

Karen Traub, Chairperson Kate Cell, Trustee

Michele Regan-Ladd, Secretary Dale Houle, Trustee

Michele Sedor, Treasurer David Wheeler, Trustee