On Tuesday March 6th at Town Meeting the town will be asked to vote on whether to approve issuing a bond for a new Town Hall and Library. The plan is to move the existing Town Hall 700 feet to the North, add a new foundation and extend the building to create room for an expansion of the Russell Memorial Library and an improved workspace for Town Offices.
New Town Hall
Why Build a New Town Hall/Library
Monkton’s need for a larger municipal building dates back over a decade. Monkton had a population of 765 in 1970, is currently just under 2000 and has been noted (per the 2010 census) as on e of the fastest growing communities in Addison County. This growth has increased pressure on the Town’s infrastructure. Most significantly, Monkton has outgrown its 1859 Town Hall building and 600 square foot Library. Additionally, the parking is inadequate and becoming a safety issue with the increased traffic flow along the ridge.
Potential Benefits
- Re-invigorate/re-invent a spacious community Town Center (Town Offices, Library and Community space all in one location/Town Green? Gazebo? Walking Path?) on 5 acres of town-owned property with East & Westerly views
- New, energy efficient structure
- Up-to-date technology
- Improved work space for Town Office day to day functions, meetings
- Larger vault/storage space
- Larger Town Library space – more book selections, playgroups for parents and pre-schoolers, more story times, programming for adults, computer lessons, etc.
- Additional space for community needs
- Room for parking/commuter lot
- Loan rates are extremely low right now