Meriden
Members of the Meriden Library Committee gathered on Tuesday outside of the current library, a two-floor, 2,400-square-foot structure that was built in the 1960s and does not meet Americans With Disabilities Act standards.
At Town Meeting last March, Plainfield Selectboard members and an original library study committee voiced support for building a new library in Meriden rather than renovate the current building, saying a new structure would be more cost effective. A motion appropriating an initial $25,000 to a library building fund passed by a wide margin.
On Tuesday, library committee members reviewed a sketch design of a would-be new Meriden Library created by Brad Atwater, who also is Plainfield’s part-time facilities manager and a self-employed building contractor.
Meriden Library Committee members envision a single-floor, on-grade facility that would meet ADA and energy efficiency standards and include a community function room and a parking lot with enough space for 20 cars.
A model of the committee’s design has been on display at Plainfield Town Hall in Meriden for several weeks, though Atwater cautioned that the building design could change after members consult with engineering and design firms.
“We’re cautiously enthusiastic, but we know there’s a long way to go,” Atwater said on Thursday. “We’ll be working with professionals to vet our work and offer guidance, and we might end up with something much different.”
Whatever the final design, construction plans would have to be approved by voters at Town Meeting.
The Meriden Library Committee has pledged to cap costs for the new facility at $1 million and to pay for half of it through a reserve fund and donations.
The other half would come through a municipal bond.
“We might come up with what we think is a great design plan and budget, and voters could still vote it down,” said Atwater, who also sits on Plainfield’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and its finance committee. “This project is a ‘nice-to-have,’ not a ‘must-have,’ and we understand that. A lot of times, these types of projects fail to pass the first time through.”
Opponents of the project have argued that the town already has one ADA-compliant library, Philip Read Memorial Library, on Route 12A in Plainfield.
However, about 6½ miles — and a long, windy route — separates the two villages.
“I love Philip Read Memorial Library. All Plainfield residents are welcome there, but its focus is on the other side of the town,” Atwater said. “The Meriden Library also serves its community well, but it is under code.”
Rob Taylor, who lives on the outskirts of Meriden village and is a member of the Plainfield Selectboard, said that his board supports a replacement structure.
“The current Meriden Library is not that old or culturally significant,” Taylor said. “We’re not married to the idea of saving that building like we would be if it had a lot of historical value. The fact is, it’s inefficient and it isn’t ADA accessible. Even the space between the shelves isn’t ADA accessible. And it doesn’t make sense to throw good money at a bad building.”
Under the library committee’s design, the community function room would be accessible from a side entrance and could be used even when the library is closed, with access to restrooms and a small kitchenette.
“We’re excited because we think it’s something the community needs,” said Mary King, the Meriden Library’s director of more than 18 years. “First and foremost, we’re excited to make it ADA accessible. That’s really what this project is all about. We also like the idea that the community space could be used when we’re not open, because we’re only open 24 hours a week.”
Taylor noted that the site is already connected to the municipal septic and water systems, which should help hold down costs.
“From a Selectboard perspective, we support the idea within contained costs. It’s a modest building, so it should be modestly expensive.”
Atwater emphasized that the committee is diligent about capping the project’s budget at $1 million.
“That’s our commitment,” he said.
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.