What are the Real Costs of the Capital Project?

Time for the Board to Tell the Public

The South Shore Press is a big advocate and supporter of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Library and value the services and programs this institution provides to the community. We got behind the public referendum to rebuild the main library and create the two new annexes, and will continue to be a cheerleader for the much-needed assets the library presents.

What we do have a problem with is the lack of transparency and obfuscation exhibited by the library director and the board of trustees as they attempt to cover up and downplay the true cost of the construction projects. The voters approved a massive $22.7 million in borrowing for the projects with the understanding that an additional $4 million would be used from the reserve fund.

Due to unanticipated structural problems found when the walls of the main library were opened up, in addition to inflation and COVID-related supply chain issues, the library officials reported that the project is running about $3 million more than originally planned. Also adding to costs outside of those disclosed to the taxpayers when they were asked to approve the project, were a number of “alternatives” including raised floors, glass partitions, cabinetry, parking lot features, and a portico at the main entrance. On top of these, the library had to add a sprinkler system, a requirement not identified by the project manager in the original design, and a special septic system, also not part of the initial plans for both the main facility and the annexes.

The South Shore Press is spending considerable time and resources in making these facts known to the public. Sadly, after our story on the cost overruns appeared, a Facebook post was made from the library titled “Shame on the South Shore Press,” presumably from Library Director Kerri Rosalia, in response to our coverage, which flat out denied that there are cost overruns associated with the project. It states: “Not only are there no cost overruns to cover, the process of reprioritizing the budget is unfolding in an orderly and thorough manner.”

Okay. If there are no cost overruns, why would they add this: “And if circumstances ultimately require the library to tap into surplus funds to address these new priority expenses, that will not be something out of the ordinary.”

We all know what’s going on here. Due to the unforeseen issues and additions made to the original plans—some voluntary and some because of omission—the construction is over budget from what we were originally told, and library officials are keeping the door open to tap the reserve fund to make up the difference.

They have promised to not go back to the voters for any additional borrowing and the construction team is indeed scrambling to find ways to cut costs. This is sad as well since the taxpayers deserve everything that was originally promised. They’re going through a “value engineering” process and are making a push for grants and other funding to come up with additional funds. At the end of the day, they’re saying that any new costs will be covered. We’ll see.

Outside of the $4 million already committed, any additional monies from the reserve fund should be off limits. This fund is created by operating costs approved by the voters, but not spent by the administration. These dollars should be returned to the taxpayers, not shifted to cover cost overruns. When the South Shore Press started asking about the reserve—how much is actually in there, how much has already been spent?—library officials clammed up and said they would consider our questions under the Freedom of Information Law. Translation: Wait until after the budget vote on April 4 before all of the details are revealed.

The main library has been closed for almost a year and many library personnel, including the management, are working remotely. What savings are being generated from not having to staff the main library? What about positions that were budgeted, but not filled? Will these savings go back to the taxpayers or converted to the reserve fund to pay construction costs? We believe the voters have the right to know before the April ballot.

The South Shore Press actually encourages a Yes vote on the library’s $10.6 million operating budget as proposed by the trustees. This level of spending would keep the library under the state-mandated two percent tax cap and is needed to provide the services residents expect.

However, the community needs to keep an eye on the construction projects and hold library officials accountable. How much beyond the $26.7 million are they actually going to spend? Where is this money going to come from? The trustees as elected officers and the administrators as public servants paid for by the taxpayers must be transparent and forthright on all library spending every step of the way. The residents of the Mastics, Moriches and Shirley deserve no less.