Library Renovation: Details on Town Meeting Vote and Cost Considerations

Key Details on Town Meeting Vote and Cost Considerations

The Town of Tisbury will hold a Special Town Meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday December 17th, at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center. The warrant will include an article to fund the renovation and expansion of the Vineyard Haven Public Library. This will be followed by a Special Town Election on Tuesday January 7th, 2025, from 12:00 noon - 8:00 PM at the Emergency Services Facility, 215 Spring Street. View the warrant on the town website: https://www.tisburyma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1321/f/uploads/stm_warrant_december_17_2024_for_print.pdf

What is being voted on?

• At the Tisbury Special Town Meeting on December 17th, 2024, attendees will vote to appropriate $4 million from the Town’s stabilization funds, and authorize borrowing of $4.8 million, for the library renovation project.
• If the vote passes at Town Meeting with a 2/3 majority, there will be a Ballot Vote on January 7th, 2025 to authorize a debt exclusion. Only if the project gets a majority vote on the ballot question will construction actually move forward.

How will the project affect my taxes?

• Borrowing for the library renovation is projected at $4.8 million, which would be approximately $135/household/year average (based on an average assessed home value of $1.79 million). Those with a lower assessed value and those with a residential exemption would pay less.
• Construction bids will be due and opened in advance of the December 17th Town Meeting, which may allow the Town to amend the warrant article to reduce the amount of borrowing and lower the tax impact.
• The capital campaign for the library project has raised more than $1.5 million, to fund the meeting room addition that will be included in this project. 

What would being funded by the warrant article?

The library project budget has been estimated at $10 million, including some funds already expended for project management, design and engineering. Proposed renovations and repairs to the building include the following:

• Replace leaking and inoperable heating & cooling systems with energy efficient, all-electric systems, with needed ventilation.
• Replace and insulate the roof, to prepare for rooftop solar.
• Update electric, plumbing, & IT to bring systems up to code, including bathroom renovations to correct accessibility issues, and eliminate recurring sewer gas backup into the building.
• Replace damaged, leaking, and inoperable windows and make other repairs and improvements to the building envelope.
• Interior painting & floor coverings throughout the building (not done since 1999).
• Repair and replace ceilings and light fixtures throughout the building that are missing or damaged.
• Removal of masonry chimney, before it manifests as a structural issue.
• Landscaping improvements including regrading to stop water intrusion, and to correct issues identified in 2019 Accessibility Survey. 
• The renovation will also enhance the current building by adding a multi-purpose community meeting room (with funding from the capital campaign), significant storage in the basement, and a renovated reading room with garden views.

For more information, visit www.vhlibrary.org/Building.shtml