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Residents urge preservation of Linden Mill museum and library as council cites $4 million grant, no final decision
Summary
Residents urged Linden27s City Council on Aug. 26 to keep the museum and library in the historic Mill building, warning that recent moves risked losing family records and artifacts. Councilors noted a $4 million state grant to renovate the Mill but said no final decisions on the building27s interior or the library have been made; staff will return with plans and cost estimates.
Multiple residents urged the Linden City Council on Aug. 26 to preserve the historic Mill building27s museum and library, saying steps taken to move collections risked losing family history and community artifacts, public commenters said.
"You don27t care about the past and will regret it," said a resident during the public-comment period, which included several speakers who described family memories and donations tied to the Mill.
The comments came as Councilor Heather MacDermaid and others discussed a $4 million state grant the city received to renovate and restore the Mill. MacDermaid said the grant must be used by the end of 2025 and that the city has hired an architect; she and other councilors emphasized that "no plans yet" means no final decisions have been made about what will happen to the museum and library after restoration.
City Attorney Michael Gildner and City Manager Ellen Glass answered procedural questions during the discussion, explaining that the city must show a public purpose to act as fiduciary on some grants and that administrative costs and staff workload should be considered before the city accepts fiduciary responsibility.
Residents raised additional concerns at the meeting: some requested clearer advance notice of meetings and records; others asked whether the museum and library had been removed entirely or whether the recent moves were temporary. A public commenter asked whether the museum and library were being changed "for profit," and several speakers urged the council to preserve the Mill27s historic character.
Mayor Danielle Cusson responded to the concerns directly, saying the primary mission had been to save the Mill and that the $4 million grant and the earlier request-for-interest process were separate matters. "There is no final decision right now," Cusson said, and she encouraged residents to contact City Manager Ellen Glass with questions so staff could provide accurate information.
Council members said they expect to see architectural drawings later in the year and to continue discussions about the Mill27s interior uses. Councilor Brad Dick said he hopes to see drawings in December, and staff indicated they will return to council with project lists and estimated administrative costs for any work tied to grant funding.
What happens next: Councilors asked staff to provide cost-estimate figures and a clearer project list tied to the state grant; no ordinance, binding motion or vote on the museum or library placement occurred during the meeting.
