Cherubusco library group seeks private funds to renovate bank building, asks council to forward board nomination

Lisa Waterman, a Cherubusco resident and new library-board member, updated the council on a campaign to relocate and renovate the village’s public library into the former Cherubusco State Bank building.

Waterman said the bank building is structurally sound but needs significant renovations, including a new roof (estimates she cited near $200,000). She described a partnership model that includes the town, the county community foundation, and a newly formed coalition (the Cherubusco Community Coalition Corporation, a 501(c)(3)), and said private fundraising and foundation grants are the primary financing strategy rather than a bond or immediate property-tax increase.

The ad hoc committee plans phased work and hopes to have the library move into the bank building by January 2027. Waterman asked the council for two items: (1) verbal support and questions from council members, and (2) that the council process a nomination form for Ben Lovell, a local resident with nonprofit experience, to serve on the library board; she said she would provide a short bio and contact information to the auditor for distribution to council members.

Waterman described partnerships with local architects and foundations and said the committee is planning fundraising and volunteer involvement (including local high-school construction-trade students for demolition and build-out tasks). The council agreed to place the nomination on a future agenda for formal appointment consideration after members have had a chance to review candidate information.