City secures crucial grants for historic library restoration

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the approval of two significant grants aimed at the restoration of the Fletcher Free Library. The first grant, amounting to $500,000, comes from the National Parks Service as part of the Save America's Treasures program. The second grant, a Vermont Historic Preservation grant, totals $20,000. Both grants require matching funds, which the city has committed to providing, bringing the total funding for the project to $1.04 million.

The Chief Administrative Officer highlighted the challenges of securing funding for the restoration of historic buildings, emphasizing the importance of these grants in initiating the larger renovation efforts for the library. Despite technical difficulties that hindered communication with one of the presenters, the council moved forward with the approval process.

A motion was made to accept the funding for the restoration project, which was seconded and unanimously approved by the council members present. The meeting underscored the commitment to preserving historical sites within the community, marking a significant step towards the library's renovation.