Chris Poulos

Great news! After months of advocacy, a $5 million grant to increase the size and aesthetic of the current Southington Public Library project is on the agenda for the October 6 meeting of the State Bond Commission.

If approved when the State Bond Commission votes next week, Southington town leaders can take the necessary steps to incorporate the grant into the project budget.
 
As a former member of the library board in town, I have made this project a focus of my first term in the House of Representatives. In mid-January, shortly after I was sworn in, I contacted Town Manager Mark Sciota to discuss a potential bonding request that would address the financial challenges of the project and fit within the construction timeline. I worked with him, the town’s bonding attorney, and the project architects to ensure that any award received from the state would be designated to expand the size and programing of the new library.

Residents have shared that Southington needs an adequately sized building for the next 50 years and beyond. I agree that we need a library that will meet the modern needs of our community, be large enough to maintain our growing collection, and accommodate expanded programing.
 
The library project may need to be paused briefly for the architects and the building committee to redesign the larger building and upgrade its aesthetic. Initial discussions on design with the Town Manager included an expanded second floor, which would allow for the increased square footage with no impact to the foundation work that has already been completed.
 
I promised to work hard to do what is best for Southington in Hartford. I want to thank Governor Ned Lamont for including this project on the agenda for consideration and Speaker of the House Matt Ritter for prioritizing funding for Southington’s public library. I am grateful that state leadership has recognized the value of this community project and hopeful that this support from Hartford will bring local leaders together in a productive manner so we can build the library Southington deserves.

The State Bond Commission meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. next Friday in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford and will be televised on CT-N.