Princeton board reviews $1.13 million community building plan as library and town clash over shared bathrooms

The Princeton Town Board on Feb. 3 reviewed a plan to build a new community building that includes a 2,000-square-foot library and a total project cost of $1,134,355, and heard extended debate over whether the library and community sides should share restroom facilities.

The plan as discussed would use Heritage Constructionas the low contractor quote and includes the library side finished with ceramic tile flooring, a push-button ADA entry, a rear glass door, an office and security upgrades. Town Administrator Michael King told the board the library must provide the bulk of its pledged funds to the town by Monday, Feb. 10, for a contract to be signed to meet vendor bid timelines and guard against market volatility.

The question of shared restrooms became the meeting—s central point of contention. Hope Dockery, representing the Princeton Library, said the library has raised substantial donor funds and would receive a pledged $110,000 that would bring the library—s available cash to $429,761.26. Dockery said the library asked for the larger shared plan because it could host lectures and fundraising events, and because an additional donor had promised $42,000 on condition of a shared foyer/bathroom arrangement. "We have the money to pay for our side with 2,000 square feet," Dockery said, arguing that shared bathrooms would help the library generate more donations and better serve the community.

Commissioners and other board members countered with safety, maintenance and long-term liability concerns tied to the town owning and maintaining the building. Commissioner Robinson said the town must "protect itself" and set clear boundaries on what the town will maintain and make available to renters. Robinson said shared access could create safety or oversight problems during simultaneous events and would expose the town to greater maintenance and cleaning obligations.

Board members reviewed bids and the project accounting. The Heritage Construction low bid was listed at $1,111,517; after negotiated adjustments for the library—s requested changes (about $22,838) the project total discussed was $1,134,355. The town reported it has $753,834 allocated for the project; library funds on hand and pledged were presented as $429,761.26 (library cash $319,761.26 plus a reported $110,000 pledge). The combined allocated funds described in the meeting were $1,183,595.26, producing a stated discrepancy of $60,758.74 relative to the total project estimate. The board noted a $100,000 contingency included in the project estimate, which the presenters said would reduce the immediate shortfall to roughly $39,000.

Library leaders asked for the board to accept a design that increases the library to 2,000 square feet and contains features intended to support community programming. Dockery described volunteer fundraising and gave commissioners proof of donor checks on hand. "This is not Hope's vision. This is a vision for the town that is growing," she said.

At the meeting the board read a motion (text read into the record) to proceed with the project as presented and to require that the library deliver funds to the town by Feb. 10 to permit contract signing; the motion also specified interior-room-size changes (several 10-by-12 rooms) and a deep sink in storage. The board discussed separating the award of construction contract from the motion to proceed with the project, and several board members said the formal bid award would be handled as a separate action. No formal vote on the bid award or final acceptance of the motion appears in the provided transcript.

Several design items were clarified in discussion: the project's kitchen will be a catered-type kitchen (no full range), the library bathrooms as proposed meet handicap-accessible requirements, and the next phase includes final architectural plans (the board estimated a few weeks for design completion). Town Administrator Michael King and library representatives agreed to try to have the majority of funds by Feb. 10 so the contract process could move quickly to preserve the low bid price.

If the town and library proceed, the board said it will return to a formal bid-award vote in a subsequent action. The transcript records continued discussion about room sizes and site staking but does not include a recorded final vote or contract signature.

Next steps noted in the meeting: finalize architect plans in the coming weeks; library to deliver most funds by Feb. 10 to permit contract signing; and the board to consider a separate agenda item to award the construction contract.