Dennis Library to get $6.5M for renovations and expansion

The Sussex County Commissioners on Jan. 27 appropriated about $6.5 million to expand and improve the Dennis branch of the Sussex County Library in Newton.

About $3.5 million will come from the county’s Capital Improvement Fund Reserve for library renovations, and about $3 million will come from a grant received from the New Jersey State Library.

A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Commissioners’ director Anthony Fasano said the improvements will fulfill the library’s master plan while also taking advantage of matching funds available through the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act.

“It’s a really smart investment with the possibility of really strong returns,” he said. “I’m excited about the possibilities it can lead to.”

Commissioners’ director Dawn Fantasia said she wasn’t sure the project would go through because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but was happy to hear funds were still available.

The county administrator, Gregory V. Poff II, said county was advised late in 2020 that its grant application was successful. County money came from the sale of the Homestead, with the balance of the project being paid by the grant.

He said the state grant process was competitive.

“I am very pleased that the state saw the value in the renovations and expansion of the Dennis Library,” Poff said.

The expansion was overwhelmingly supported by a referendum of county residents. After some public discussion, county officials decided to improve the Dennis branch, which the county does not own, despite its administration of the library.

Poff said he is working on transferring the property from the Newton Library Association to the county.