Early Voting Begins for Library Renovation Project

Early voting has begun for the special election on July 21.

Residents will be asked to authorize a debt exclusion, which is a temporary tax increase, to pay for $10 million in renovations for the Seekonk Public Library.

All polling will be conducted at Seekonk High School.

The vote at the May 12 Town Meeting was 240 in favor with 74 in opposition.

If the project is approved, the average homeowner (based on a home valued at $541,000) will pay approximately $100.55 per year. Repairs costs account for 86.5 percent of the project.

A feasibility study was conducted in late 2023/early 2024 and the final report was issued last November. Advocates said the library, which was built in 1978, is in desperate need of repairs. There was a heating system failure last winter, which caused the library to close its doors.

The study noted: “The library is located at the site of the former Newman Avenue Landfill. In an earlier study, a structural assessment identified up to 3 inches of settlement at the southwest corner of the library building. The exterior building cladding is visibly deteriorated in many areas, and will need to be replaced. It is anticipated that water infiltration has damaged the plywood substrate and the metal studs of the wall framing. The windows are very early aluminum units and have reached the end of their useful life. The wall assembly does not comply with current Energy Code.”

“A substantial reroofing project was undertaken in 2008. Overflow scuppers were installed to mitigate an on-going water penetration problem. The roof does not provide the required insulation value. Interior partitions are generally in acceptable condition, however, same partitions recently added are of a demountable design and do not perform well since they do not provide acoustic separation between the spaces. Floor finishes are worn and dingy and ready for replacement. Acoustic ceiling systems show some areas of damage and discoloration as well as areas of replacement tiles.”

Voters at the October 2022 Town Meeting rejected authorizing funds to construct a $24 million building. The new building would have replaced the current 14,880 square foot facility at 410 Newman Avenue.