At this year’s Mont Vernon Town Meeting on March 9, residents can support progress toward a new library and a new cemetery. Warrant Article 4 allows the Selectmen to construct the public access way for both projects; Warrant Article 6 allows the Library Trustees to use funds from the Library Capital Reserve (LCR) to complete the new library design; and Warrant Article 11 contributes to the LCR, earning a matching donation from the Sophia G. Daland Trust (Daland Trust).

The Town purchased land near Carleton Pond in 1997 as the future home of both the library and cemetery. Article 04 allows the Selectmen to continue the course set out last year when the town voted to finalize the public access way design. This access way must be completed within the deadlines set in NH State-issued site permits to avoid the costs of redesign and significant additional wetlands mitigation required under new NH regulations.

Article 6 allows the Library Trustees to use funding from the LCR to complete the final phase of the new library design and come before town meeting 2023 with final bids for the project. This follows design work funded last year by the Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation (The Foundation). Maintaining project momentum is critical. We must begin construction of the new library by 2024, or risk losing the $1M Conyers bequest supporting the project. This warrant article has no tax impact.

Article 11 contributes to the LCR established in 1988, reducing the amount of any future bond. The Daland Trust has once again generously committed to match this appropriation. The Trust has supported the current library for more than a century – funding its construction AND paying for all routine maintenance and utility costs. In addition to LCR contributions valued at over $240K, the Trust has pledged $855K to support the new library project. Once the new library is completed, the existing building will serve other town purposes and the Trust will transition to paying for all utilities and maintenance for the new library.

The Foundation has raised over $1.1M and is conducting a Library Capital Campaign to further minimize town funding needed to complete the project. For more information, visit https://www.mvlcf.org/

See you all at town meeting!

Mont Vernon Library Trustees

Cindy Raspiller – Chairperson

Mont Vernon Cemetery Trustees

Lou Springer – Chairperson

The Sophia G. Daland Trust

Anne Dodd

Pete King