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Library's Expansion | Newspaper Articles
Library costs may be in budget -
Leominster seeks overrun solutions
Mary Jo Hill, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, October
31, 2006
LEOMINSTER - Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella said he will likely
have a capital budget ready next week that includes an
additional $1.3 million needed to cover cost overruns for
the library expansion project.
The city recently sold a house for $325,000 that is part of
the property where Sky View Middle School was built, and
there had been discussion by the City Council about using
that money to help cover the library costs.
But Mr. Mazzarella said yesterday he did not know if some of
the money for the library will "come from that pocket."
Another possibility discussed to cover the project's
shortfall was free cash, or leftover state funding.
The mayor said he is working on certifying free cash for the
city now.
The capital budget will include money for the library and
other capital needs, such as updates of equipment, Mr.
Mazzarella said.
Councilors bristled over the library's extra costs when they
were asked recently to approve borrowing up to $1.3 million
for the project. The loan authorization eventually went
through, but not without criticism of the mayor.
Some councilors suggested other ways to fund the unexpected
cost without raising taxes, but Mr. Mazzarella said it was
too soon in the fiscal year to commit to other sources of
funding.
The house near Sky View Middle School was part of a package
of property Leominster bought in 2001 to build the new
middle school. The 4,300-square-foot home has long been
vacant and is dilapidated. The city sold the house, at 35
Page Ave., for $325,000 to Barbara Sidilau-Cantino,
according to the registry of deeds. The deed was recorded on
Oct. 10.
Ms. Sidilau-Cantino was the second highest bidder for the
home, according to city Purchasing Agent Gregory C.
Chapdelaine. The highest bidder at the auction in February
was unable to complete the transaction, he said.
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