To the Editor:
The?$12.8 million existing library repair cost estimate is excessively high.??It is only being used to justify the outrageously high $23.3 million cost?for an oversized “luxury” library.
In 2011, the estimated cost to repair the library was $6.4 million. The 2013 cost doubled to $12.8 million in just two years.?It appears that the $12.8 million repair cost was increased to within $800,000 of the $13.6 million taxpayer's cost to make the repair option undesirable.
Even though normal maintenance was suspended years ago, the library is still sound and repairable.??A study was done in 2012 and $250,000 was appropriated by the town to repair the existing library, yet, nothing was done. Instead, the Library Committee wants to spend $23.3 million to replace the building.
They say we need structural upgrades. ?But, what they fail to say is that if repairs are?kept to less?than 30 percent of the value of the building, then by law we don’t need these pricey structural upgrades.??As a home owner you would repair your home rather than tearing it down.
The digital revolution has reduced the need for big libraries. A 50 percent increase in library size is not justified for just a 5 percent ?increase in printed books. E-books take up zero shelf space.? Neither the $12.8 million nor the $6.4 million repair costs are credible.? An unneeded new $23.3 million library will raise?your taxes.
Vote NO on Tuesday, Nov. ?5th.
Nick Gatzios
Shrewsbury