Tisbury residents voted unanimously in favor of borrowing $4.8 million to overhaul and expand the Vineyard Haven Public Library at a special town meeting that lasted more than three hours Tuesday.
More than 160 people attended the meeting at the Performing Arts Center to decide on the seven-article warrant, presided over by town moderator Donald Rose.
The funding article for the library needed a two-thirds majority to pass, and garnered favor in a voice vote Tuesday. The measure will need to pass by a simple majority at the ballot box in order to override the borrowing limits of state Proposition 2 ½.
The town will hold an election for the override on Jan. 7.
The library was last renovated in 1999 and since then, has been regularly flooding when it rains. Proposed renovations include a new roof, shingles, windows, insulation, heating and air conditioning systems, bathrooms, paint, ceilings and carpeting.
Supporters said the library was an important piece of the town’s fabric.
“A library reflects the soul of the community,” said chair of the board of library trustees, Arch Smith. “It’s a place where learning and compassion exist for all walks of life, regardless of one’s level of education, one’s wealth or one’s political beliefs.”
In previous years, town voters allocated more than $1 million in town funds for renovations to the library and many voters questioned whether the money was used and if there’s a need for a new building.
Library director Amy Ryan said some renovations were made and some of the previously allocated money will go toward the new building.
Akeyah Lucas, a zoning board of appeals member who served on the library board trustees for six years, said neglected maintenance was not the fault of the library, but rather the town.
“There was not one month that we had a meeting where [we didn’t bring up] more building issues… to the DPW or the town as needing to be immediately addressed,” Ms. Lucas said. “I’m pretty sure we were turned down every single time.”
The library will decide on a contractor after construction companies submit their bids in January, according to Ms. Ryan.
The construction could cost as much as $8 million, with another $4 million coming from the town’s building stabilization funds.
Tuesday’s special town meeting was punctuated with a flood of amendments from the floor.
Voters took issue with article four, which would have transfered current personnel committee responsibilities to the town administrator. Some claimed the article would give too much power to the non-elected town administrator position and town meeting voted to take no action on the article.
The bylaw was drafted by a committee of five people, including a hired consultant and advisor according to select board chair John Cahill.
“What we’re trying to do in the bylaw… is to create a clear line of responsibility and authority that goes both ways for the town administrator of Tisbury, so there’s no confusion about who is in charge,” said Rick Homans, the chair of the committee that developed the bylaw.
Tony Peak, an associate member of the zoning board of appeals, was against the article.
“This article is fatally flawed beyond belief,” Mr. Peak said. “[The] initial principle talking about making this a hierarchical, vertical form of government is contrary to what, for better or worse, exists in Massachusetts, which is a horizontal form of government.”
Article five, which called for the allocation of $600,000 to build a new town hall at 66 High Point Lane, was amended to leave options open for other locations.
Residents took the address out of the article and determined that no money could be spent until a location was finalized.
When a voter asked if the planning board had been consulted on the location of the new town hall, Mr. Cahill on the select board said he spoke extensively with the former planning board chair, Ben Robinson. However, Mr. Robinson said it never came before the planning board for discussion.
Constance Alexander, the current chair of the planning board said the board was opposed to the article.
“We should look into best building practices for the most fiscally prudent decision making, and we should honor that decision,” Ms. Alexander said.
Select board member Roy Cutrer also opposed the article.
“We are in the process of hiring a new town administrator, and it was my personal belief that the new town administrator would bring fresh eyes to our problem,” Mr. Cutrer said. “To make a decision on that tonight would be a mistake on my part.”
An article to amend the town’s zoning bylaws, proposed to define short-term rentals and provide regulations, was passed. The bylaw was intended to enable residents to derive supplemental income for their properties, while also encouraging year-round housing options.
Mr. Cutrer proposed amending the article to increase the maximum number of days allowed for short-term rentals from 75 to 90 calendar days. The amendment, which had the support of the select board, was rejected by the voters.
Article three, which adds two associate planning board members, along with article six, which adds a parcel to the centralized wastewater collection and treatment system service area, both passed.
The town will hold elections on Jan. 7 from noon to 8 p.m. in the Tisbury emergency services facility at 215 Spring street.
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