Snow Library Trustees Back Splitting $41.6 Million Rebuild Into Two Phases

ORLEANS — February 3, 2026 — Orleans Snow Library trustees endorsed splitting a $41.6 million library rebuild into a $4.1 million design phase in fiscal year 2028 and a $37.6 million construction phase in fiscal year 2029. Chair Jamie Balliett told the board at its February 3 meeting that the change mirrors the phased approach used for the town's recent fire station project and better reflects standard municipal building sequencing, though he acknowledged "these numbers are probably not sufficient and they would need to be reevaluated." The board expressed unanimous informal support, and Balliett said he would raise the restructuring at the Select Board's budget discussion the following evening. Separately, Trustee Mark Ziomek reported that roughly 200 of the library's approximately 750 H.K. Cummings glass plate negatives — dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s — are missing, and that renumbering work required by Digital Commonwealth before scanning can proceed is nearing completion. The Friends of Snow Library reported year-to-date net income of approximately $66,000, up about $23,400 from the prior year, driven by higher investment income, stronger book sales, and the organization's first Annual Appeal.