The Village Board of Trustees and the Library Board met to finalize the plans for the Mineola Memorial Library project on Monday, March 15.

The project, which includes the construction of an addition onto the existing building, will cost the average homeowner $36.80 a year or $3.06 a month. Mineola residents cast 890 votes supporting (404 votes against) the floating of a $3.994 million dollar bond in a referendum held last Oct. 20.

About two months ago the plans originally presented to the public were changed and the aforementioned addition, which was to be on the west side of the building, will instead be constructed on the south side along Marcellus Road.

Because of the change, the outside deck, another new feature to the library, will be located on the south side and wrap around to the west.

Plans for the south side of the building still include the expansion of the already existing parking lot by the Mineola Department of Public Works.

The change came as the result of the realization that the catch basins that draw water to the sump in Mineola Memorial Park from as far away as Hillside Avenue, posed a potential flooding threat to any additions made west of the current building.

Along with the relocation of the addition, a retaining wall measuring about two to three feet in height will be constructed to protect the building from flooding.

"The building will be watertight, open and airy with a sense of accessibility," commented Village Attorney John Spellman.

"There is no impact whatsoever, other than aesthetics," said Library President Jack Martins.

Since the project was at a preliminary stage, the changes will not slow the project down. Furthermore, because the project bids will be based on the square footage of the building, and that remains the same, there will be no increase in cost.

These outside changes signify the only substantial changes to the project as it was originally presented to the public. The meeting held by the two boards on March 15 had to do with some interior issues brought to light by the library staff.

Said Martins, "Everything that was presented to the public remains the same." The new improved library will feature a fireplace, an outdoor seating area and expanded space for computers and study rooms.

The temporary library, to be set up in the parking lot of the Mineola Village Hall and Community Center, will be delivered in June. The 3600 square foot prefab building will house the books for the duration of the project. A children's section may be established in one of the classrooms of the Community Center.

Around that June date, the project should have been awarded and weather permitting, the new library could be up and running for the residents of Mineola as early as June of 2000.