Dear Rockport Select Board: 

The decision to embark on a time-open ended relocation of the library, is irrational. While the recent engineering study uncovered no obvious mold problem, the study infers the potential for the occurrence of mold in the buildings present state, is evident.

Why not take prudent and simple precautionary measures now?

Fix roof leaks, trim trees and nearby shrubbery to allow ample ventilation of the buildings exterior. Add mechanical ventilation in the crawlspace. Spot repair areas of rotted siding and sheathing. These are measures we regularly deal with on our homes and businesses, and not overly expensive, especially as the short term remedies needed in the library’s case. 

With a healthy, secure, and ongoing library building for staff and patrons remaining in place, the process of planning the new library could begin now.

Financing, architectural design, construction bids, retaining contractors, etc.; this process will be lengthy and could in fact take longer than the actual construction.

As well as determining a building time frame for the future library, this preconstruction phase would allow time to find a suitable relocation site for the library during the actual construction-only phase.

 Knowing the actual construction completion time; hence, the required relocation time (shorter term), would help determine what and where, would be adequate, and this would be less disruptive to both staff and patrons. 

And this plan would save taxpayer funds.

Thank you for your time.

Tom Young lives in Rockport.