‘Voter veto’ maneuver launched to challenge Jones Library approval
Jones Library in Amherst STAFF FILE PHOTO/KEN HEIDEL
Published: 4/9/2021 5:12:44 PM
AMHERST A campaign to use the “voter veto” provision of the town charter to force the Town Council to reconsider its support for the Jones Library expansion and renovation project which could culminate in a townwide referendum is underway.
Vincent O’Connor of Summer Street picked up forms Tuesday at the town clerk’s office at Town Hall, a day after the Town Council voted 10-2, with one abstention, to borrow $15.75 million to support the $36.3 million project. The council also approved a memorandum of agreement related to the project between Town Manager Paul Bockelman and the elected library trustees, and agreed to use $1 million from the town’s Community Preservation Act account for the library’s special collections room.
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Amherst Town Council to consider borrowing $36M to renovate and expand Jones Library
Updated Apr 01, 4:23 PM;
Posted Apr 01, 3:33 PM
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The town’s actual share would total $15.75 million, should the Council approve the spending plan.
The budgeted plan is contingent on other revenue sources coming into play; but for this to happen, the council must agree to borrowing the total amount.
In a letter to Amherst Town Council, Town Manager Paul Bockelman wrote: “At its meeting on April 5, 2021, the Town Council will review a proposal to fund expansion and renovations to the Jones Library.”
He said $1 million of community preservation act [CPA] money to be borrowed is part of the funding equation.
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Rosemary Kofler: Jones Library project is extravagant
Tip of a Pen Mike Watson Images
Published: 12/28/2020 8:53:33 PM
Library project is extravagant
Amherst taxpayers have great reason to be concerned about the proposal to demolish parts of the Jones Library that were renovated only 20 years ago and to then expand the library footprint to 68,000 square feet. The library is clearly in need of renovation but not at the expense of major expansion.
At present, there is considerable wasted, nonfunctional space on the upper floors of the library, including unnecessary steps between small, poorly organized rooms. A reorganization and internal renovation within the existing footprint could solve many of the library’s challenges. It could create full accessibility and greatly improve the useful, functional space.
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