Beam-Signing Ceremony Sparks Enthusiasm
On a chilly January morning, stakeholders in the Library renovation project stopped by the old town center fire station on Main Street to sign their names on a steel beam that will be incorporated into the new building.
Construction on the Library is well underway and is expected to be completed by early 2027. The signed beam will become a permanent part of the structure. “The steel beam really does represent the building coming together. And it represents the coming together of a dedicated vision of a number of people in this town,” said Library Director Ellen Rainville.
Among those who signed the beam were retired library staff members Nancy Boutet, who was Head of Youth Services for many years, and Mayleen Kelley. Local History Librarian Charles Schweppe also inscribed his name.
Scott Hazelton, Vice Chair of the Permanent Town Building Committee, was happy to celebrate the project’s progress. He remarked on the successful collaboration among different town departments, who each come to the table with their own specialty.
Scott Hazelton
A team from Finegold Alexander Architects, who have been part of the project since 2012, traveled to Westford for the occasion. Mark Luzaitis, on-site representative from the Library’s owner advocate firm CHA Consultants, stepped away from the construction area across the street to view the beam. Ellen praised Mark for “constantly taking photos and advocating for our interests,” and said she was pleased to have CHA team members Jennifer McGrory and Peterson Fevrier in attendance as well.
Micajah Tucker, Tony Hsiao, Ellen Anselone, and Leah Wolkovich-Quartey from Finegold Alexander Architects
Volunteers who are supporting the building project also stopped by. Library Trustee Deb Teal called signing the beam “a way to leave our mark as a legacy for future generations.” Friends of the J.V. Fletcher Library Foundation Co-Chairs Mary Anne Seraphin and Mary Cacciatore said their group has raised more than a million dollars towards its $1.5 million goal to help fund the project. Mary Anne emphasized that the new library will be “absolutely accessible to everybody.” Mary said the new space is going to “draw even more of our neighbors together.”
After signing the beam, participants gathered at the Westford Museum for a reception. Among the speakers were State Representative James Arciero and Select Board Member Noelle Donovan.
Jim recalled that when he co-chaired Westford’s 275th celebration in 2004, the festivities included the ringing of the bells at First Parish Church United, something that had not occurred for close to 80 years. He said the ringing of the bells will always stick with him as part of the fabric of the history of the town. He likened the beam signing to that moment. “It’s symbolic of lifting up what’s important to us and being a beacon for people to come to, to work with one another and to look at goals and objectives that are much bigger than us,” he said.
James Arciero
Noelle said her daughter, who signed the beam in cursive, is the seventh generation of her family to have a card at the J.V. Fletcher Library. “The expansion isn’t just about more space. It’s about investing in our community’s future,” she said. “I’m excited for the coming generations to have a place where they can open up their imaginations and their minds.”
Noelle Donovan
Ellen wrapped up the ceremony by thanking those who have worked on the project, including those who could not attend the celebration. “Today is a wonderful milestone,” she said. “In the future, we’ll have a new space that will allow us to give untold new opportunities to the Westford community.”
