NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — With a $75,000 matching Mass Historic grant, city officials are moving closer to addressing the library's decrepit belvedere.

 

"This is the closest we have ever been so for me, being part of this process since 1992, it is very exciting, and I hope you are excited too," Mayor Jennifer Macksey said.

 

"... We used to say from a distance, it looks beautiful. Now from a distance, you can see it worn."

 

On Thursday, Macksey met with the library trustees to hold early discussions on how to fund the project which was originally estimated to cost $375,000. Macksey hopes to use a mix of Sale of City Owned Property Account funds and money from Cariddi bequest to make up the difference.

 

"As time goes on and as this project evolves, we'll see where dollars fall or other opportunities fall," she said. "My biggest fear is that it's going to be over the $370,000 in the sense of where we are with construction in general … So we do have some funds available, but once we get to bids then we'll really drill down on the price. We certainly don't want to exhaust the Cariddi fund."

 

After bids are opened and a clearer understanding of the total project cost is established, the cost split can be discussed.

 

She said other grants could become available later. While she's open to borrowing to finish the project, she prefers to use existing funds.