Middletown Springs library nears finish; board asked to review revised site plan at special meeting

The Middletown Springs Select Board heard a progress report on the townlibrary project and agreed this week to convene a short special meeting at the new library so board members can review a revised site plan in person.

A library representative told the board that interior painting, flooring and shelving installation are nearly finished and that the project includes accessibility upgrades such as an induction loop for hearing assistance. "We, are up over just over 60,000 right now," the library representative said, referring to fundraising to date; the speaker also noted the state BGS Merck grant will be nearly exhausted by upcoming bills and that additional invoices are expected in June and July.

The presentation included detailed engineering and accessibility concerns. Board members discussed a revised sidewalk and parking grading layout needed to meet ADA slope limits; the design requires grading and a swale directing stormwater to a catch basin and then out to the back ditch, which could change how the site ties into Cemetery Road and remove one or two parking spaces. The library representative said some change orders (for painting and grading) are expected and the board should anticipate additional costs compared with earlier plans.

Members agreed to hold a short on-site meeting (special meeting scheduled for June 1) so they can "lay eyes" on a marked drawing and walk the affected areas before the contractor finishes work. The library team said they expect to start moving books in August and will notify the board about a possible tour before final wrap-up.