Residents raise concerns about Castine Library garden plans; town staff says library land and building are owned by the Town

Residents and library volunteers pressed the Selectboard on July 15 over plans for the Library Garden and landscaping, expressing concerns about aesthetics, historical character and land ownership.

Brooke Tenney told the board she had attended a July 9 informational meeting hosted by the Library Board of Trustees and said attendees raised worries about preserving history and design simplicity. "I heard at the July 9 Library Public Informational Mtg that pesticides were used on the Town Common recently. She asked if that was true and if the Town was aware?" Tenney also submitted a written letter raising concerns about the project.

Town Manager Shawn Blodgett responded that the Town owns the library land and building and has a deed for the property, which was donated to the Town for library purposes. He said trustees are elected to oversee the library and that trustees, the Selectboard and the school committee serve as lateral boards. Blodgett said he checked with the Maine Municipal Association legal department on the governance question.

Finance Officer Karen Motycka added that library funds are town funds held to benefit the library. Don Tenney told the board the project is not finished and may proceed through additional phases, and he said voters could petition to return the matter to a town vote.

Selectboard members did not make a formal decision on the garden design at the meeting; the discussion recorded in minutes clarifies ownership and governance but indicates the project will continue through further design phases.