GREENVILLE, Maine — Shaw Public Library improvements, Community Development Block Grants and an article regarding engineering funds for the school renovation project are expected to be up for discussion at a special town meeting later this month.
Selectmen voted Wednesday to hold the special town meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the municipal building, but have yet to finish the warrant articles.
Town Manager John Simko said Wednesday that voters would be asked to authorize town officials to enter into a lease agreement with Shaw Public Library for use of property at 8 Pleasant St. as a library annex.
The town is proceeding with plans to use the former Fowle house as an annex to the library. The Shaw Public Library Association had a philanthropist purchase the Fowle building and hold it as a donation to the association until it secured a USDA Rural Development grant to pay for the purchase, which since has been received. The association wants to renovate the space to comply with state and federal requirements. Once complete, the town intends to lease the space from the association for $1 for 99 years.
In other business, residents will be asked to adopt a Shaw Public Library governance ordinance to codify the bylaws for the board of trustees in a manner consistent with best management practices.
In addition, voters will be asked to give municipal officials approval to apply for and accept, if awarded, Community Development Block Grants for the removal of architectural barriers at the library, public facilities improvements and housing assistance.
On hold at the moment is an article to see if residents will approve the use of the school’s undesignated fund balance to pay for engineering and architectural design for the school renovation project. The school committee will meet next week to decide whether or not to proceed with the article.
Simko said voters approved a $2 million bond last year for school renovation and the town has applied for funds from the Maine Bond Bank, but before those funds can be released, there must be a contract in place. Since there is engineering work to complete for the bid process, Simko said the school would need some interim financing. His suggestion is that rather than borrow that amount and pay interest, the school could use its surplus to fund that project.