Comments on: The Benton Library http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/3288 State Senator -- 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex -- Democrat Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:18:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Judith Feinleib http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/3288#comment-774 Judith Feinleib Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:00:13 +0000 http://willbrownsberger.com/?p=3288#comment-774 With respect to Will's point #6, as I understand it, the Selectmen asked the Benton Reuse Committee to look into whether leasing or selling the property would be more finally benficial to the town. The Reuse Committee found that leasing would be more beneficial and would allow the Town to use the building again in the future, if this made sense. With respect to Will’s point #6, as I understand it, the Selectmen asked the Benton Reuse Committee to look into whether leasing or selling the property would be more finally benficial to the town. The Reuse Committee found that leasing would be more beneficial and would allow the Town to use the building again in the future, if this made sense.

]]> By: VirginiaJordan http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/3288#comment-773 VirginiaJordan Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:09:35 +0000 http://willbrownsberger.com/?p=3288#comment-773 Broadly, there's a question whether government should sell off assets into a recession, or do what it can to use them to aid the local economy. In the long term, it ought to be in the Town's interest to keep Benton, -- Historic buildings increase the value of nearby real estate. -- It is a walkable public building only minutes from a bus line. With rising energy costs, the Town may need decentralized buildings again. -- It is a low maintenance building of stone. -- It is near Chenery Middle School, and could be used for an after-school program or student study place, without the costs of keeping Chenery open after hours. -- The Town in all likelihood will want to restore a branch library some day, the way towns like Newton, Wellesley, and Arlington are now reopening their branches in some form. -- The Town owns many other parcels, some more suitable for private ownership or development than a fully built, functional public facility like Benton. Broadly, there’s a question whether government should sell off assets into a recession, or do what it can to use them to aid the local economy.

In the long term, it ought to be in the Town’s interest to keep Benton,
— Historic buildings increase the value of nearby real estate.
— It is a walkable public building only minutes from a bus line. With rising energy costs, the Town may need decentralized buildings again.
— It is a low maintenance building of stone.
— It is near Chenery Middle School, and could be used for an after-school program or student study place, without the costs of keeping Chenery open after hours.
— The Town in all likelihood will want to restore a branch library some day, the way towns like Newton, Wellesley, and Arlington are now reopening their branches in some form.
— The Town owns many other parcels, some more suitable for private ownership or development than a fully built, functional public facility like Benton.

]]> By: DanScharfman http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/3288#comment-764 DanScharfman Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:05:21 +0000 http://willbrownsberger.com/?p=3288#comment-764 It broke my heart to lose the Benton as a library, but that's water under the bridge. I agree that Belmont can and should find an appropriate new neighbor-friendly use for the building with the preservation restrictions you mention. There's nothing less good for the neighborhood or town than an unoccupied building. I also think the process you suggest is a good one. Meanwhile, let's keep Belmont Memorial Library and the school libraries vibrant. It broke my heart to lose the Benton as a library, but that’s water under the bridge. I agree that Belmont can and should find an appropriate new neighbor-friendly use for the building with the preservation restrictions you mention. There’s nothing less good for the neighborhood or town than an unoccupied building. I also think the process you suggest is a good one.

Meanwhile, let’s keep Belmont Memorial Library and the school libraries vibrant.

]]> By: Will Brownsberger http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/3288#comment-761 Will Brownsberger Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:13:29 +0000 http://willbrownsberger.com/?p=3288#comment-761 I defer to others on that. I defer to others on that.

]]> By: Judith Feinleib http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/3288#comment-760 Judith Feinleib Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:11:57 +0000 http://willbrownsberger.com/?p=3288#comment-760 Thanks Will. Is there any way to get this out to the ONA membership so that there isn't any confusion? Thanks Will. Is there any way to get this out to the ONA membership so that there isn’t any confusion?

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