$12M library project coming to a vote.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Elaine Thompson

SHREWSBURY - Representative town meeting members will decide whether the town should be able to borrow $12.2 million to renovate and expand the library.

On Monday, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-1-1 to bring the warrant article forward at a special town meeting, after hearing a presentation by the library trustees. Selectman Benjamin Tartaglia abstained and Selectman James F. Kane cast the lone nay vote. The warrant item would be on whether the town could exceed its borrowing limit under Proposition 2-1/2.

The $12.2 million would be the town's share of the total cost for the renovation and expansion project that was last estimated to be about $18.8 million. But the local share is expected to be even less. Because of the poor economy, many public projects have been coming in below budget, Library Director Ellen Dolan said yesterday.

She said the high project cost estimate was received just before the economy took a downward turn. Library trustees will seek new estimates and indications are that construction will cost less, Ms. Dolan said.

"We know that is a high number. We expect that to come down because many public projects have been coming in below budget," she said. "We're feeling if we move during this time, we might be able to take advantage of that."

The remainder of the project would be covered by a nearly $4 million state grant, a fundraising campaign, green-design grants and other grants. Ms. Dolan said the town has a Dec. 31 deadline to secure the local funding portion of the project to keep the state grant.

Renovation plans began 10 years ago. Advocates at one time had hoped groundbreaking would be this year. Plans call for updating and expanding the 25,000-square-foot library to 46,000 square feet, and adding 16 parking spaces, for a total of 62...