WEST PARIS – Construction at the Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library has been halted until a new plan can be drafted.

The delay occurred because the original plan would put a parking lot over a septic leach bed owned by a not-for-profit agency.

“We have learned that our plan for the parking lot puts it directly over the septic leach bed for the Medical Care Development Corporation, who donated a piece of land to the town,” said Rodney Abbott, chairman of the library’s board of trustees.

“As a result, we are delayed in building the access road and parking lot until a new plan for our project can be drawn up. MCD has given us a right-of-way across their property, but their leach bed has to be moved before we can complete our plans for a parking lot and septic system of our own before we can proceed.”

He said a new plan should be ready by early fall. This will push completion of the first phase of the project ahead to next spring, he said.

The first phase at the historic building, also known as the West Paris Public Library, involves building an access drive from Maple Street to the planned parking area behind the library, building the parking area and installing a new septic system for the library. Work had started on the access drive.

Improved parking

“When this is completed, it will not only benefit the library but will also benefit the whole village area. It will provide parking for the library, the Universalist Church, West Paris Historical Society, the West Paris Grange and businesses in the village,” Abbott said.

“We will just have to wait a bit longer for this part of the project to be done. Meeting with trustees from the Norway Library regarding our expansion plan, they told us we must be patient and not give up. Everything will come out the way we planned if we keep looking ahead and stick with our goals. The project can add life to the community,” said Abbott.

He said he doesn’t have a precise figure for the cost of the first phase yet because the redesign for the septic system and leach bed isn’t complete, but said it will be a significant amount.

However, a major part of the original planned addition to the library already had been eliminated, which eventually will bring down some of the project’s cost.

The full project includes an addition on the back of the existing castle-like building on Main Street.

The addition will include: a children’s reading room, a computer room, handicapped access and bathroom, an individual workroom and more book space.

Using native stones

The library opened in 1926. In 1989, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, for its distinctive architecture and engineering. It was built of native stones gathered from nearby fields and pastures.

Abbott also said that the trustees are looking for people who’d be willing to help with fund- raising for the project.

“The trustees meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the library and we would welcome all the help we can get,” he said.

So far, about $10,000 has been raised through fund-raisers, grants and private donations. A grant application for $50,000 has been submitted to the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, and the trustees hope to hear the results of that application soon.