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Mary Anne Seraphin, Westford Resident
To The Editor,
On Tuesday, November 8, Westford residents will have the opportunity to vote for the proposed expansion and renovation of the J.V. Fletcher Library.
This is a project that has been 10 years in the making. The library was last renovated more than 30 years ago, and since then, the town’s population has increased by 50 percent. Westford is now home to just under 25,000 residents, nearly 20,000 of whom have library cards. The library is a well-loved resource.
If you’ve been in the library lately, you’ll notice that it’s bursting at the seams. What’s more, it’s not entirely accessible for everyone. Use a wheelchair? You’ll have a challenging time getting around. The elevator is very small. Too small, in fact, to accommodate a wheeled gurney in the event of a medical emergency. There aren’t bathrooms on every floor. And the bathroom in the children’s section is so small that parents can’t have multiple children in it at the same time.
With this renovation, the library will receive a construction grant from the Massachusetts Library Board of Commissioners for just under $8 million dollars if the town votes for the expansion on Tuesday. If Question 2 on the local ballot doesn’t receive a majority of votes, that money then goes to another library and Westford misses out.
Westford has an opportunity to completely renovate the existing library, bringing it up to code in all areas, making it entirely accessible for all, and bringing the building closer to net zero. This extensive renovation will enable the library staff to continue to provide the comprehensive array of programs and services residents have come to rely on. The library – a cherished community resource — truly has something for everyone.
I encourage residents to join me in voting yes on Question 2 on the local ballot on Tuesday, November 8. Thank you.
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