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Library project has $550,000 shortfall; town says no taxpayer funds planned and will seek grant/donor options
Summary
Town administrator told voters the full library build-out faces roughly a $550,000 deficit but said the library board and select board committed not to use town funds; options include grant amendments, contract changes, and donor-driven capital campaigns.
The library capital project remains short roughly $550,000 to complete the full build-out, the town administrator said, and the library board and select board have pledged not to use town taxpayer funds to close the gap. "To build out the full project, I believe round numbers were in about a $550,000 deficit," the administrator said, and added that grant amendments, contract amendments and donor fundraising were being explored.
The administrator also flagged lines in the budget for acquisition and maintenance of town-owned buildings (Old Town Hall / Lowell Lecture Hall), noting the accounting approach uses buildings-and-grounds reserve funds so those items are not planned to raise property taxes in FY27. Residents asked about whether town funds could be used, and the administrator reiterated the preference for non-tax funding and longer-term capital campaigns.
