2016
Prosser Library 

Beginning in January of 2016 a library committee headed by local architect Mark Weisman and the architectural firm of Tai Soo Kim spent more than 6 months studying what was needed to update Prosser library, ( built in 1963)  to meet the needs of the 21st century.   Numbers of meetings were held to listen to feedback from citizens.  Numerous plans were developed, the final one being to enlarge the library at the present site and use the current Riley Lumber Company, (now in probate) for parking.  The price for this new building was in the neighborhood of $21 million. (The library was also hoping to obtain $1 million in state grant funds earmarked for new libraries.)
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This plan had a number of advantages: It kept the building, which many citizens cherished, at the current site. It evaded the necessity of raising the building in the event of flooding. It provided plenty of parking. It stayed within the bonding  parameters set by the council. It provided opportunities for trail connectivity and renewable energy sourcing for the library (and perhaps other town buildings).

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History

Unfortunately, while insisting how much it valued libraries, the Town Council in July voted against putting the $21 million up to a referendum.  All of the Republicans on the council voted for the library, all of the Democrats voted against it. 
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Instead, the Democratic members of the Council voted to use the $21 million that the library would have cost and put it toward renovating the Alvin & Beatrice Wood Human Services Facility at 330 Park Avenue.  They did this in spite of information from Centerbrook Architects that the cost of an adequate building at 330 Park would be $35 million and in spite of having no building committee to develop plans for the building. 

What Can We Do?

​Continue to promote the 21st library implementation at the earliest possible time.