The following was submitted by Aida Gennis on behalf of the Board of Library Trustees:
On July 13, 2017, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded the Wayland Free Public Library a Provisional Construction Grant totaling $10,137,980. The grant is part of the MBLC’s Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) which helps communities across the state meet the growing demand for library services with expanded and improved library facilities.
Thirty-three applications for new construction of a public library or expansion and renovation of an existing library were submitted to the MPLCP during this highly competitive grant round. Of these applications, nine libraries were awarded grants, and twenty-four were assigned to a wait list.
Wayland’s grant is the third largest of the nine awarded and contributes 39% of the eligible construction costs of the new library building to be located at 195 Main Street, the site of the former Highway Department Garage. The award is a strong statement that the MBLC believes Wayland’s current library building does not have the capacity to meet the current and future needs of its residents.
The offer of a $10,137,980 grant is a significant one-time opportunity to receive state funds to assist with the construction costs of a new municipal building. The Trustees also anticipate achieving LEED Gold or Platinum certification which would entitle the town to receive an additional 3% ($304,139) or 3.5% ($354,829) of the current grant award as an extra disbursement.
The full cost of the project is $28,940,710. Taking into account the state grant and the anticipated LEED award, the remaining cost to the town is estimated to be approximately $18,500,000. The Board of Library Trustees also plans to initiate a private fundraising campaign to help reduce the cost to the town and will contribute a substantial amount from The Millennium Fund to the project.
The MBLC requires each of the nine communities awarded a grant to secure local funding for their library project by January 12, 2018. To meet this tight deadline, the Trustees have submitted a warrant article for November’s Special Town Meeting to authorize funding the full cost of construction of the library project. The grant funds will only be disbursed to Wayland after local funding is secured and will be distributed in equal 20% amounts of $2,027,596 in each of the following five fiscal years starting in June 2018.
It is a longstanding practice in Wayland to address the town’s budget and funding at Annual Town Meeting in the spring rather than at Special Town Meetings which typically take place in the fall. As a result, the Trustees have received a request from the Board of Selectmen to seek an extension of the MBLC deadline to secure local funds. The Trustees agree it will be difficult for the town to consider this funding request in such a short window of time before November’s Special Town Meeting. On September 12th, the Trustees submitted a request to the MBLC that the deadline for securing local funding be extended to our Annual Town Meeting scheduled for April 2018. The MBLC will meet in early October to consider the town’s request.
This grant presents a tremendous opportunity for the town to receive state funds to improve library services for the residents of Wayland. The Trustees look forward to ongoing discussions with community members about the details of the project and its long-term benefits to our community.
