Hebron council directs $100,000 appropriation for library renovations to create economic development office, historical society space

The Village of Hebron council voted unanimously at its Feb. 23 meeting to direct the solicitor to draft legislation for a $100,000 appropriation amendment to fund renovations to the library side of the village building.

Council members discussed the intended use: an open office for the economic and community development function and a separate entrance and space for the historical society. Staff said preliminary sketches show separate access points (a side door for the historical society and main double doors for economic and community development) and that both sets of visitors would have access to public restrooms. Council members asked that committee drawings be shared with the full council and were told the current drawings are preliminary and will be refined through engineering and formal construction plans.

Administrators said the $100,000 figure comes from estimates provided by a local general contractor and includes a small contingency. Multiple members expressed concern about approving an appropriation before all council members had seen the committee sketches; staff replied that written legislation would address the appropriation and formal plans would follow if money is set aside.

The council’s motion directing the solicitor to draft the appropriation legislation was moved by Council Member Carpenter and seconded by Council Member Juvenelli. A roll-call vote was recorded as six ayes and no nays, and the directive passed.

Next steps identified at the meeting included: solicitors drafting the appropriation ordinance for a future meeting, staff providing committee sketches to council members, and further design work and engineering before construction-level plans are submitted.