Demolition began Wednesday at the Randall Library, which will undergo an $11.9 million renovation and expansion. (Courtesy Town of Stow) 
The Stow Select Board takes a turn at breaking ground. From left are Hector Constantzos, Chair JT Toole, Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski, Megan Birch McMichael, and Cortni Frecha. (Courtesy Town of Stow) 
Stow town officials break ground on an $11.9 million renovation and expansion of the Randall Library on Wednesday afternoon. From left are Randall Library Friends President Lisa Lavina, Library Trustee Chair Maureen Busch, Library Director Tina McAndrew, Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski, state Sen. James Eldridge, and Building Committee Member Kat Copeland. (Courtesy Town of Stow) 
Randall Library Friends President Lisa Lavina speaks to those in attendance as the library stands in the background. (Courtesy Town of Stow) 
Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski addresses those in attendance. (Courtesy Town of Stow) 
Library Director Tina McAndrew addresses those in attendance. (Courtesy Town of Stow)
STOW — The Town of Stow is delighted to share that ground has been broken on an approximately $11.9 million renovation and expansion of the Randall Library.
Major planned improvements include making the entire building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, restoring the historic entrance, creating a dedicated children’s space, a dedicated teen space, staff space, outdoor space, and updating the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.
Construction is expected to conclude in July of 2025.
“It may not have happened on the first try, or even the second, but we are here now, and your hard work and love for free services for all, a community gathering space, and a healthy and accessible building have brought us to this day,” said Library Director Tina McAndrew.
The renovation and expansion were first approved in spring of 2022, when voters approved an $8.85 million Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion to fund the project. Due to increasing costs, at Special Town Meeting in September, voters authorized the Town Administrator to spend an additional $2.5 million on the project, but that funding will come from the general fund operating budget and will not be raised through taxation. The project also received a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division.
Additionally, $1 million in Community Preservation Act funds are being used for the project, which received donations of $500,000 from the Library Trustees, and $400,000 from the Hale High School Trust Fund.
The General Contractor for the project is SMI (Southern Middlesex Industries Inc.) of Norwood. SMI will be working alongside the architects, designLAB, and the Owner’s Project Manager, Colliers Project Leaders.
“Libraries have long been the heartbeats of society, fostering knowledge, connection and growth,” said Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski. “Our vision for this renovation goes beyond bricks and mortar. It is about embracing technology, nurturing creativity, fostering connections, and making lifelong patrons.”
Library Trustees Chair Maureen Busch thanked all those who contributed to the project, and said the project was made possible by the generosity of many within the community.
“This is going to be a fantastic space,” said Lisa Lavina, President of the Randall Library Friends.
“The library is not just a building that houses books, but rather a place where community is built,” said Building Committee Member Kat Copeland. “The library provides program for adults and children, museum passes, a collection of fun and practical things to check out, meeting spaces for groups and friends, and free access to the internet to name a few things in addition to the collection of books and media.”
Those in attendance at the groundbreaking included: Senator Jamie Eldridge, Select Board Members Chairman JT Toole, Megan Birch McMichael, Hector Constantzos, and Cortni Frecha; Randall Library Trustees Chair Maureen Busch, Marcy Eckel, Morgan Hillman, Rachael Flaherty, Sunny Richardson, and Barbie Wolfenden.
The Town would like to recognize the members of the two Building Committees who have worked tirelessly to get to this groundbreaking. On the Library Building Committee 2.0 is Chair Tina McAndrew, Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski, Building Commissioner Frank Ramsbottom, Aisha Anderson, Kat Copeland, Marcy Eckel, Morgan Hillman, Lisa Lavina, and Sunny Richardson. Members of the Exterior Building Committee are: Chair Tina McAndrew, Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski, Building Commissioner Frank Ramsbottom, Kat Copeland, Richard Fishman, Andrew Grote, and Melissa Rollins.
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