FRAMINGHAM, MA – Article 2 on the March 15th Special Town Meeting Warrant, asking for Town Meeting to vote in favor of funds to build a new McAuliffe Library building in Pinefield Shopping Center failed to receive the two thirds majority required to approve such funding.
Despite the support of most town committees, and the Board of Selectmen, a $ 1.6 million dollar grant, and funds spent on the plans and feasibility study, and public support, and an aging building in need of significant repair, there weren’t enough town meeting members convinced that the project was to be supported at this time. Unfortunately, the grant will expire May 15th and it is estimated that it will be another 8 years before Framingham might receive another one.
During the discussion, moderator Ed Noonan collapsed, knocking over the podium. He quickly revived, but handed off the running of the meeting to Joel Winett, and was taken to the hospital by EMT’s. After a brief recess, discussion of the library article continued, but many would-be speakers were disappointed as the stand-in moderator allowed the vote to be called.
Before the vote on the library funding, a motion by the Standing Committee on Public Works (SCPW) to refer the library article back to sponsor was voted down.
The Town will be facing significant expenditures to make the current building accessible, as well as replacing the HVAC system and the roof and addressing plumbing problems.
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