news, shutesbury

Shutesbury library supporters sue town over Jan. 25 recount

Larry Parnass — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 -0500

SHUTESBURY - Supporters of a proposed Shutesbury library filed suit Friday against the town's Board of Registrars over that panel's decision to accept two disputed ballots against the project and to disallow one in favor. The board's decision resulted in a 522-522 tie on the question of raising taxes for the project, causing its defeat.

State extends deadline for Shutesbury library grant

Ben Storrow — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 -0500

SHUTESBURY - The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners unanimously voted Thursday to grant Shutesbury a five-month extension to accept a $2.1 million construction grant the town was given last year.

State library panel to hear request on Shutesbury grant

Ben Storrow — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 -0500

SHUTESBURY - The next step in the long-running debate over whether to build a new library in Shutesbury will occur Thursday when the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners hears a request to extend the deadline for accepting a $2.1 million state grant.

The state had given Shutesbury until today to accept the money to help pay for a new $3.5 million library.

Once again, tie vote defeats new library in Shutesbury

Ben Storrow — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 -0500

SHUTESBURY - The vote over a new Shutesbury library is tied - again.

A recount Wednesday of the Jan. 10 vote over whether residents would approve $1.4 million in funding for a $3.5 million library project saw the town Board of Registrars throw out one vote in favor of the library, leaving the final vote tally at 522-522. The tie means the question fails.

Shutesbury library vote recount to be held Wednesday

Ben Storrow — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 -0500

SHUTESBURY - A recount of the results of the Jan. 10 election concerning whether to build a new library in town has been set for Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Shutesbury Town Clerk Leslie Bracebridge said opponents of the library proposal filed a petition Thursday with the signatures of 14 registered voters, four more than required, asking for a recount of the 1,045 ballots cast.

Shutesbury library opponents seek recount of approval by one-vote margin

Ben Storrow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 -0500

SHUTESBURY - Opponents of a new $3.5 million library will seek a recount of the 523-522 vote in favor of the building, a leader said Wednesday. Robert Groves, who helped coordinate opposition to the library, said his group will make the formal request because of the slim margin of victory and because there are eight challenged ballots among the 1,045 cast Jan. 10. Town Clerk Leslie Bracebridge said a recount will be held Jan. 25 if she receives a petition containing 10 signatures. On Tuesday, Bracebridge ruled that the one previously uncounted vote is valid, tipping the balance in the project's favor.

Last ballot counted in Shutesbury favors new library; recount now likely

Ben Storrow — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 -0500

SHUTESBURY - The town clerk ruled Tuesday that the previously uncounted vote on Jan. 10 was cast by an eligible voter and will be tallied in favor of a new library. That means the town by a 523-522 margin approved borrowing $1.4 million as its share of the new $3.5 million building. However, a request for a recount is likely, one leading library opponent said Tuesday. That would extend the contentious debate over a new library which has split this town of nearly 1,800 residents who have voted on the project three times in the last four months.