NEW VINEYARD – While the New Vineyard Public Library trustees continue their quest to raise money toward a $225,000 library expansion, they and town officials receive positive news.

Trustees and municipal officials were notified in April that $180,000 in grant money has been reserved for the proposed expansion of the library from 580 square feet to 1,800 square feet.

The space would include a community room that could be used by local organizations. It also includes installing a new drilled well and new septic system.

Trustees plan to build an addition on the far end of the building where the New Vineyard Historical Society is located. A wall would be removed from the society’s space and a 44- by 36-square-foot addition would be built.

The Historical Society and the New Vineyard Town Office would shift into existing spaces in the building owned by the New Vineyard Public Library Association.

According to a letter sent to Selectman Fay Adams in April, the Maine Office of Community Development has invited the town of New Vineyard into the project development phase of the application process and $180,000 has been reserved for it.

The town would act as fiscal agent if the Community Development Block Grant Public Facility application is awarded.

“Please be aware this invitation is not a guarantee of funding or permission to begin the project or expend funds for proposed library activities,” Deborah Johnson, director of the Office of Community Development, wrote in the letter to Adams in April.

“It is positive news,” Bruce Turcotte, chairman of the Library Expansion Committee, said.

Trustees have designated $45,000 for the match. One foundation has informed them that they would put in $20,000 if they can get $100,000. If they get the $180,000 grant that would count, Turcotte said he was told.

Tammy Knight of the state office has been assigned as the program development manager to assist with the development phase. She is scheduled to discuss what is needed to be done Wednesday, May 9, at the library.

An environmental site report and a historic site report are part of the second phase, Turcotte said.

The next fundraising event for the project is a community yard sale. It will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 2, in the parking lot across from Smith Hall on Route 27.

There are still spaces available at the yard sale. To find out more information call 652-2250 and leave a message with a name and phone number and someone will get back to the caller.

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