John Scenna, Director of Capital Projects for Lynnfield, and architects from Tappe Associates presented three options, and their respective estimated costs, to the Select Board Monday for renovation of the existing Lynnfield library.

After a proposed new Lynnfield library building was voted down by residents, the Planning Board, and Finance Committee, the town committed to looking at multiple renovation options for the existing library. To do this, Scenna said that architects from Tappe conducted a review of the library building, as well as worked collaboratively with Lynnfield Library Director Abby Porter and other staff members to define the needs of patrons and staff. 

“She (Porter) and her staff track every time they have to say no to a customer for a specific need,” Scenna said. “So that was a source of information for our architects to try to develop proposals that address that.

Jeffrey Hoover of Tappe said that some of their priorities with the renovation project include: expanding programming and meeting capabilities, fixing water, building code, and electrical issues; making the building ADA compliant; improving staff work areas; improving crosswalk and handicap access to the building; improving the programming space for children; preserving the open space of the main floor; and preserving the facade of the building so that it reflects the historic nature of the common. 

Charles Haye of Tappe then explained what the three options would entail.

“The first option was to bring the building in code compliance and updated but we don’t expand, Haye said. “The second option was going to be a middle ground and the third option was going to be ‘what can we do if we try to max it out.’”

Haye elaborated that the second option would build on the first option which is to simply get the building up to code, incorporate several library service enhancements, expand in the rear courtyard, and reclaim attic space in the back. The third option would build on the first and second options, and in addition, incorporate more enhancements, and reclaim additional attic space in the front. 

The estimated costs were calculated assuming that construction starts in early 2026 and ends in the spring of 2027.

For the first option, a “conservative” total project cost estimate is in the range of $10 million to $12 million, which includes contingencies and assumed temporary library costs. For the second option, it is between $15 million to $17 million, and for the third option, it is between $16 million to $18 million. 

At the Select Board meeting, Lynnfield Town Administrator Rob Dolan also presented the town administrator’s budget for fiscal year 2025, which will be up for public hearing on Thursday, March 28.

Dolan said that FY25 expenditures would include, among others, a projected 7% increase in health insurance and a school department increase of 4%. Other budget highlights also include the increase of two full-time firefighters, an increase in the school budget, and additional funding to the Town Clerk’s budget to address additional costs of the state primary and presidential elections. Capital budget items include, among others, $300,000 for paving roads, $120,000 for a dump truck, $60,000 for one police vehicle, $100,000 for upgrades to the Lynnfield High School auditorium, $125,000 for school technology, $110,000 for the demolition of Danforth House, and $180,000 for a fire alarm bucket truck. 

Dolan acknowledged that not every department would get what they want and need. For example, Lynnfield Fire Chief Glenn Davis requested to get four firefighters, but the budget would only account for two. Public Works Director John Tomasz would have to be responsible for another role despite also being a director. However, Dolan reiterated the need for the town to be fiscally responsible. 

“This is a solid budget,” Dolan said. “This is a responsible, balanced budget in which we have used every tool in the toolbox to expand public safety and provide historic financial commitment to our schools, despite 1% in state contribution this year.”