New buildings are expensive for tax payers, but well worth it for the services. The library in particular is much needed and has a lot to offer the community.

The Greenfield Public Library was originally the Levitt-Hovey house, designed in 1797 by Asher Benjamin, one of the original architects of post Revolutionary American style. It was originally a private home, and was bought by the (then) Town of Greenfield in 1909 to serve as the public library. I love the building and have very fond memories of spending time there growing up, but the building has access issues. Greenfield found Commonwealth money to build a new Library, but it meant the Fire Department next door would need to be knocked down and rebuilt elsewhere, on property the City would also have to buy. Cue taxpayer rage, and passive-aggressive comments from the Police Department about not getting a new station.