Dear Mayor and Borough Council Members,
As a Chatham resident, I am writing to thank you for committing $1,111,000 from the Borough's 2027 budget to the Library of the Chathams Renovation Project, and to express my continued support for the project.
The Library is one of our community's most valued public resources. Whether it's introducing young children to the joy of reading, providing students with a place to study, offering programs for all ages, serving as a gathering place for neighbors, or providing a safe place to work, recharge, and connect during extended power outages, the Library is an important part of what makes the Chathams such a special place to live.
I appreciate the time the Council spent listening to residents and community stakeholders through the July and August meetings, and the seriousness it brought to the decision on August 10.
I continue to support this project because: (choose one or two of the examples below, or add your own personal reasons.)
- Our family regularly uses the Library for books, programs, community events, and meeting space.
- The Library serves as the Chathams' shared community gathering place, welcoming nearly 200,000 in-person visits each year and providing programs, meeting space, and resources for residents of all ages.
- The renovation addresses critical infrastructure needs, including aging HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems that can no longer be effectively repaired one piece at a time because they function as an interconnected system.
- Completing the renovation in a single phase is the most cost-effective approach, saving an estimated $1.71 million compared with completing the work in multiple phases.
- The new HVAC system will be significantly more energy efficient, reducing energy use and the Library's carbon footprint while creating a more comfortable environment for visitors and staff. It also positions the building for future sustainability improvements, such as rooftop solar.
- Renovating the existing Library costs less than half the estimated cost of constructing a comparable new building while preserving an important part of our community's history.
- The renovation will create better spaces for children, families, students, seniors, and everyone who uses the Library, including an expanded Children's Center, flexible meeting rooms, a Business Center, STEM learning spaces, and a Quiet Reading Room.
- The project will protect the Library's unique local history collection through a climate-controlled archival room.
- The Library provides an estimated $3.9 million in value to residents each year, more than the municipalities contribute toward its annual operations.
- During major storms and extended power outages, the Library serves as an essential community resource, providing a safe, climate-controlled place where residents can cool off during extreme heat, warm up during winter weather, recharge phones and devices, access Wi-Fi, and continue working when power is out at home. The Library has even opened on days it would normally be closed to serve the community during emergencies.
- The Library has been thoughtfully planning this renovation for more than a decade. Delaying the project will not reduce costs. In fact, construction costs continue to rise while the building's aging infrastructure requires increasingly expensive repairs.
- Investing in the Library today will help ensure it can continue serving residents for generations to come.
The most impactful letters are those that include your own personal story about why the Library matters to you or your family.
I respectfully ask you to carry that commitment through the adoption of the 2027 budget, and to continue supporting the project as the remaining funding comes together.
I look forward to the second presentation with HMR Architects this fall and to seeing this century-old building made ready for the next hundred years.
Thank you for your time, your thoughtful consideration, and your continued service to our community.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Street Address
