29 April, 2011
Did you know that Hopkinton has the opportunity to improve its public library?
After more than three years of careful planning, the design for a renovated and expanded Hopkinton Public Library building shall be presented to residents at Hopkinton's Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 2 - Tuesday May 3. If a majority of residents vote YES to approve the proposed library design, Hopkinton will be eligible to receive a state grant of up to 50% of the project's estimated $10 million cost. At this point, there is no cost to the town -- and there will be no ballot question in May asking for funding.
FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR OF NEW LIBRARY Click Here.
As a community, we must consider how an improved library will benefit the town. Of course, the new building will provide all of the things that residents have asked for: more space for programs, activities, computers and materials for all ages; accessibility for all residents; modernization and increased parking. But there are additional benefits, too. The new library will strengthen Hopkinton's commercial base by attracting residents to downtown. Not only will the new library benefit our community today, but will be able to serve the community for generations to come.
What happens next? The proposed library design will be voted at Hopkinton's Annual Town Meeting beginning Monday, May 2 at 7 pm. All registered voters are encouraged to attend and vote at this meeting. If the majority votes YES approve the design, the project will be allowed to proceed. Hopkinton will learn in this summer if it will receive a library construction grant from the state. If Hopkinton is a grant recipient, then the town will begin final design and request funding for the project.
If the majority votes against the preliminary design at the Annual Town Meeting, then the process will go no further, and our library will remain unchanged.
Is the library important to you? If so, it is imperative that you make your voice heard! Plan on attending Hopkinton's Annual Town Meeting, which begins Monday May 2 at 7 P.M. The meeting will be broadcast LIVE on HCAM (Comcast Channel 8 and Verizon Channel 30).
For those of you that are not familiar with Hopkinton's Annual Town Meeting, it is a process where residents discuss and vote on a number of issues (called "articles") that are important to the town. The articles regarding the library are #49 and #53 on the agenda. There are more than 50 items on the agenda for Annual Town Meeting , so it is likely that the meeting will be continued a second night to Tuesday May 3. If the meeting is continued, then it is also likely that the library will be discussed and voted on May 3rd. If you cannot plan on attending both evenings, then please watch on HCAM (Verizon channel 30) and plan on getting to the meeting in time for the presentation regarding the library. Stay tuned to HCAM to follow along!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLANS AND LAYOUT OF THE NEW LIBRARY Click Here.
As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the library!
-Laura Barry
