By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Select Board unanimously voted to expand the Library Building Committee during a Jan. 24 meeting.
Library Building Committee Chairman Russell Boekenkroeger said the Board of Library Trustees endorsed the proposed 11-member Library Building Committee. He also serves as a trustee in addition to serving as the Library Building Committee’s chairman.
“There are some members carrying over from the original committee that was formed back in 2015,” said Boekenkroeger.
In addition to himself, Boekenkroeger said the revamped Library Building Committee will still include Historical Commission member Steve Todisco, Finance Committee Chairman Chris Mattia, community representative Nick Conners and former Select Board/School Committee member Chris Barrett.
“Chris Barrett was appointed to the Library Building Committee before he ran for Select Board the first time,” said Boekenkroeger.
Boekenkroeger said the Board of Library Trustees proposed adding Library Trustee Andrew Kenneally, Finance Committee Vice Chairman Tom Kayola, Planning Board Vice Chairwoman Kate Flaws, School Committee member Kate DePrizio, Together We Grow Lynnfield School Expansion member Sarah Kelley and former Friends of the Lynnfield Library Co-Chair Alison Squadrito-Bates to the Library Building Committee.
“We feel that we have all age groups in Lynnfield represented,” said Boekenkroeger. “We were trying to get people who would represent a good cross section of the community since we will be looking at more community involvement. There will be more public meetings to review the project.”
In addition to the 11-member Library Building Committee, Boekenkroeger said Planning Board Chairman Brian Charville and DPW Director John Tomasz will serve as liaisons to town boards and departments. He said Acting Library Director Abby Porter, Select Board member Phil Crawford, Town Moderator Joe Markey and Lynnfield Center Water District Superintendent John Scenna will serve as “ex officio” members. The Select Board and LCWD Board of Water Commissioners approved an inter-municipal agreement last year that allows Scenna to work on town projects.
“John Scenna will be representing the town,” said Boekenkroeger.
Select Board Chairman Dick Dalton expressed his support for the proposed 11-member Library Building Committee as well as the liaisons and ex officio members who will be assisting the revamped board.
“It’s a great team to take on this project,” said Dalton.
Dalton recalled that the Select Board is looking to get updated cost estimates for the library project. The proposed new library currently has an estimated cost of $21 million. As currently proposed, the town will need to appropriate $13 million for the project. The remaining $8 million will be covered by a state grant that will be awarded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Boekenkroeger said the library is requesting $30,000 as part of its fiscal year 2023 capital budget request in order to get a revised price tag for the project.
“The $30,000 will get us updated costs from where we are today,” said Boekenkroeger. “It seems appropriate to be included in the town’s capital budget. The cost estimate we had originally is out of business.”
Boekenkroeger said architect William Rawn Associates has hired Stoughton-based Fennessy Consulting Services in order to get new cost estimates for the library project.
“They are a good group,” said Boekenkroeger. “They need to revaluate the project, but that is not going to affect the grant. Whatever they come up with is going to be the new number. We will be using that as a baseline.”
Boekenkroeger also noted that Lynnfield is currently ninth on the MBLC’s waiting list for library construction projects.
“One of the town’s in front of us, Grafton, has already self-funded,” said Boekenkroeger. “We will soon be eighth on the list. The MBLC is also trying to get the allocation for the building program increased by $5 million a year. If that occurs, the MBLC can fund an additional library project or two each year. We need to get in gear pretty quickly and move the process along.”
Crawford thanked the 11 residents for agreeing to serve on the revamped Library Building Committee.
“I appreciate everyone stepping forward and volunteering their time,” said Crawford. “It’s how we run the town. I want to thank Russ for all of the work he has been doing.”
After the discussion, the Select Board approved the revamped Library Building Committee.
“I am looking forward to seeing the product of the Library Building Committee’s efforts in the coming months,” said Dalton.