Letter to the editor: Rockport’s red herring

Fri, 10/31/2014 - 1:45pm

I am concerned that many Rockport voters are confused about what Articles 8 and 9 are asking them to decide. The opponents to the Library Committee maintain they have offered the town "an alternative." That is misleading, because the vote is not about their expansion ideas.

While it is encouraging to see they do agree the library needs more space, their suggestions for enlarging the current facility aren't feasible, easy or as affordable as they say. The current library building is more than 65 years old and has weathered four expansions. It was never designed to hold the number of books or people it does, and it suffers from excessive moisture and rot, failing windows, exterior foundation issues, a failing heating system, and ADA non-compliance.

Experienced builders have advised that site prep work and construction on that site would be "challenging.” That is because of extensive ledge and drainage issues, limited access for materials delivery, minimal parking for workmen or space to store materials. A local architect told me he thinks the building would need to be razed. I agree with him.

Trying to shore up the existing building and address its structural and moisture problems would add considerable expense to the project. It is not feasible to simply add three new additions to that building. I believe the $500,000 estimate for the addition's cost is unrealistic and misleading. Plus it would impossible for the library to remain open to the public during construction.

The proposal to add eight angled parking spaces is also misleading since it uses up the four spaces already there, thus only adding four new spaces. I doubt that will help solve the parking and congestion issues on Limerock Street. Does their plan include turning Limerock Street into a one-way street?

The Library Committee is asking voters if they agree we need a new library building and if they agree to using the town-owned Rockport Elementary School site for that municipal facility. That location really is accessible to all Rockport citizens and it avoids all the problems inherent at the current site. Please do not be confused or distracted by the opponents' plan, it is only a red herring.

Vote yes on Articles 8 and 9 for a Library for All.

Pat Messler lives in Rockport