Library Project Cost Reduced by $1.3 Million

“We were recently informed that bids for two other library projects elsewhere in the State had come in substantially below estimate, so we asked for an update in the estimate for our project,” said Loy H. Harris, General Chair of the Clapp for Community Campaign. 

Stephen S. Lanphear, President of the library’s Board of Trustees, and Harris appeared before the Selectmen to update them on recent developments in the campaign, headlined by the reduction in the project’s cost. 

“We’re delighted that the cost to the Town and library donors will be lower than expected,” said Lanphear.  “Now we need to move ahead to capture the advantage of this favorable cost environment.” 

Harris told the Selectmen, however, that in view of the present economic difficulties in the nation and the State, the project would not be brought before the Annual Town Meeting in May for funding approval.  “We’ll wait until later this year, in hopes that the situation will improve a little, or at least the level of uncertainty will be a little lower,” he said. 

Lanphear noted that the Trustees had been in contact with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and had been assured that funding for the approved State grant in support of the project was secure.