Library Expansion- Timeline 12/2015 through present

• December 2015 – Board of Directors discussed PPL Strategic Plan and realized that our facility was limiting our services. They ask: can we expand? Can we finish the basement or attic?
• The Board conducted an analysis of the current facility, analyzed what was needed to pursue the library mission, and did a community needs survey
• Feb 2017 -Community Needs Survey regarding Library Services
  • Found community interest in expanding the library and offering more library programs
  • also confirmed in Town budget surveys 2018 & 2019
• We completed a more detailed analysis od fcility needs using the Library Space Planning Guide and Worksheet from the Ct State Library and CT Public Library Standards: Facility
• January 2018 the PPL Board recruited an Exploratory Building Committee to explore possibilities for expansion
  • Included Walt Hinchman, Fred Williams, Peter Deary, Charlie Weedon, and Library Board members Dave Ring, Ann Hinchman, Ginger Lusa, Sylvia Danenhower, Laurie Bell
  • April 2018 – Hired Evelyn Cole Smith, Architect (specializing in Historic Preservation)
  • Approached Pomfret School re. gift of land
• November 2018 – Applied for and was awarded CT State Public Library Construction Grant
  • Grant application was prepared by Evelyn Cole Smith, Architect, and Laurie Bell, Library Director
  • Grant covers 50% $(421,800) of estimated constructions costs ($843,600)
  • PPL Board set the goal of raising $500,000 in donations (deadline: November 2021) to cover matching grant funds, construction costs not covered by grant, and the costs of fund raising. 
  • February 2019 – Pomfret School Board of Trustees approves request for land donation
  • May 2019 – Town funded capital improvements
    • Septic system is installed
    • parking lot is doubled from 12 to 24 spaces
  • May 2019 – PPL Board recommends to Town that we hire RPC Associates as Fund Raising Campaign Consultant
  • September 2019 – Capital Campaign begins
    • Leadership Team: Kate Cerrone, Chair; Marc & Mary Archambault, Co-Vice Chairs; Ron Coderre, Consultant Laurie Bell, Library Director; Ginger Lusa, PPL Board Chair; Anne Miller; Ray Navarro; Dr. Steven Raheb; Nancy Weiss; Ann and Walter Hinchman
  • June 2021 – Project receives the approval of the State Historic Preservation Office
  • September 2021 – received the deed for .26 acres south of the library, gifted by Pomfret School
  • Once the matching funds were in place and the CT State Bond Commission gave approval. a grant contract was signed with the CT State Library
  • Silver/ Petrucelli was hired to complete the construction documents and update the projected budget in light of post-pandemic cost  increases. Funds available were now far below the new costs.
  • The Town forfeited the original Construction Grant and in September 2023 appled for a new grant with the updated budget.
  • A new grant of $1,011,297 was awarded. Additional  donations were sought and matching funds were in place by January 2024. CT State Bond commission approved the funds in June 2024, and the grant contract was reviewed and signed by October. 
  • Construction documents were finalized and the project went out to bid in December 2024. The contract was awarded to A. Secondino & Son, Inc.