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04/10/2012

'Public engagement timeline' sets Oct. 10 for Town Council vote on new Thomas Memorial Library, Cultural Center

By a 5-2 vote, the Town Council on April 9, 2012 approved what it called a public engagement timeline for a council decision on whether to construct a new Thomas Memorial Library and Cultural Center.

The timeline provides a six-month public engagement period - to include public education on the project, meetings with stakeholder groups, and opportunities for input from the public at large - before a September public hearing and council vote on Oct. 10.

What the timeline does not provide is a referendum vote on the project.

A referendum on a new library and cultural center had been part of project planning studies, and is one of the Town Council's goals for 2012. However, at a workshop March 5, a majority of the council agreed that the decision to move forward with a new facility rests with the council.

"I believe the Town Council should vote on this, we have a representative form of government," Councilor David Sherman said at the April 9 meeting.

Not everyone agreed. Councilors Caitlin Jordan and Frank Governali voted against the public engagement timeline, and two residents who spoke April 9 urged the council to hold a referendum. "The entire voting public of Cape Elizabeth should have a right, through our votes, to decide on the new library," said Gladys Road resident Philip Kaminsky. He requested the council either set a referendum for the November election, or at least modify the timeline so that the public could overrule any council decision by referendum in November.

The town charter allows public reversal of Town Council decisions by referendum. Voters have up to 30 days to collect signatures from at least 10 percent of registered voters, after which the council must hold a public hearing and schedule the referendum. Allowing time for absentee ballot preparation, Town Manager Michael McGovern said the council would need to decide on the library as early as July or August to give citizens enough time to petition for a November referendum. Approximately 700 petition signatures would be required.

The high turnout typical of presidential elections make this November's a prime target for a library vote, but the turnout is also what motivated the council to set the October meeting for their decision on a new library. Citizens opposing whatever the council decides in October could gather signatures for a referendum at the polls in November, Sherman said. "I think for those people who may oppose this project, this schedule actually makes it easier to gather the necessary signatures within the required time frame," he said.

"I think we came up with this schedule for a reason and that was to allow an opportunity for public comment, public feedback and for us to make the best decision possible," Sherman said. "I know that not everyone on the council agrees that we should decide the issue but I think that everybody agreed there ought to be adequate time to vent the issue."

No firm cost for a new library and cultural center project has been established, but initial estimates range from $8 to $8.5 million. In February of this year, councilors voted to direct the library trustees to finalize and present a plan that includes a projected operating budget for programs, staff and utility costs for a new facility.

Here is the text of the public engagement timeline adopted by the council on April 9:

Public Engagement Timeline
Thomas Memorial Library and Cultural Center

In the coming months, the Town Council will make a key decision on the future of library services for our citizens: whether or not to move forward with plans for construction of a new library and cultural center at the present library site.   

Specifically, on October 10, 2012, a council vote will take place on the following:

  • Endorsement of a project with a scope similar to that presented to the Town Council last year.
  • The creation and appointment of a building committee for the project.
  • A commitment to borrow funds for hiring an architectural/construction firm to design final plans for the library in calendar year 2013, and concurrently, a commitment to borrow funds in Fiscal Year 2015 to construct the project. Construction could begin as early as July 2014.
  • A determination of the extent to which private support will be needed for the project and how that private support will be obtained.

Prior to undertaking such an important series of votes, the Town Council and library trustees will seek extensive public engagement to collaboratively enhance the quality of the new building and programs.

The public engagement should occur over the next six months and should:

  • Be a collaborative effort led by the Trustees of the Thomas Memorial Library and should articulate a vision for a community-wide, multi-use space where citizens gather to enjoy technology, reading, conversation and cultural events.
  • Include meetings with key community groups such as  the school board, the parent’s associations, community services, the historical society, service clubs, CEEF, CELT, the Cape Business Alliance and other groups. 
  • Offer multiple opportunities for citizens to discuss their vision for the library, including public forums in the library and in gatherings in neighborhoods.

On September 17, 2012, the Town Council will hold a public hearing separate from the regular Town Council meeting to solicit public comment on the library’s future.

On October 10, 2012, the Town Council will vote on whether to move ahead with the planning and construction of a library and cultural center that has grown out of the previous 6 months of citizen conversation, input, and consensus and the data from four years of studies.