Volunteers gain OK to reopen library with private funds

The Board of Selectmen voted, 2 to 1, to allow the Benton Library Reuse Committee and the Friends of the Benton Library to draw up a two-year license to run the library using private donations.

“We’re delighted the selectmen had faith in us,’’ said Richard Cheek, chairman of the reuse committee, who presented the plan at Monday’s meeting. “This could not have come together without the hard work and generosity of a tremendous number of volunteers, and now all their work has paid off.’’

Similar arrangements had proven successful in Newton, where the Waban and Auburndale branch libraries are run with volunteers and donations, noted Cheek and Elizabeth Gibson, a member of the Friends of the Benton Library.

“We want to prove that the private sector can do its bit to preserve this valuable architectural resource for the public,’’ Cheek said.

The Craftsman-style building was constructed as a chapel for the Belmont Episcopal School for Boys in 1892, and was donated to the town in 1930. A letter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission in July 2009 says the building met the criteria for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building was used as a branch of the Belmont Public Library until last year, when the Board of Library Trustees voted to close the building in response to the town’s budget constraints.

Under the plan presented by the reuse committee, the town would retain ownership of the building, and donations would cover the facility’s operating costs, as well as improvements to its heating and plumbing systems and windows.

The library would be open for 15 hours a week, and be staffed by volunteers.

The Friends of the Benton Library estimate they have raised more than $10,000 in donations, enough to cover nearly a year of operating expenses.

More donations have been pledged contingent on the selectmen approving the reopening plan. Donations also will go toward a two-year maintenance program to repair the library’s porch roof, replace gutters, and install new exhaust fans.

“We’ve looked extensively at the repairs, utility costs, and building codes, and interviewed the directors of other public libraries,’’ Gibson said. “We want to open on a limited basis in the spring of 2011, and be fully open by fall.’’

The selectmen had previously considered selling the building for use as a private residence, with a historic deed restriction. A real estate assessment in February valued the property at $510,000.

“With a sale, we could be looking at $7,000 or $8,000 in annual tax revenue,’’ said Selectman Angelo Firenze, who voted against the arrangement.

“We have so many capital improvements in this town that need to get done, and that money could be used for them.’’

“I’ll agree that $510,000 is nothing to sneeze at,’’ said Selectman Mark Paolillo. “But even if we’re in a desperate financial condition now, we don’t want to be selling off assets we’ll regret losing in 10 years when things are different.’’

Residents from the Oakley Road neighborhood, near the Benton branch, said they felt working on the project had brought the community closer together.

“This is what volunteerism on the behalf of the town looks like,’’ said Joanna Hilgenberg, who is also an elected Town Meeting member.

“Participation in projects like this is how people become community leaders. This is a worthy cause, and the plan deserves a chance to be put to the test.’’