Sunapee library, town over who pays for HVAC upkeep

Abbott Library’s HVAC system sits at the center of a question over whether the library or the town pays for the next round of repairs. The repair package tied to the library includes work meant to protect the collection, reduce humidity problems and keep patron health from being compromised by future mold.

Abbott Library’s Facility Maintenance Policy, approved Dec. 15, 2009 and revised Jan. 29, 2019, says ongoing building maintenance and repair are to be funded within the annual library operating budget. That same policy specifically includes repair and scheduled maintenance of plumbing, HVAC, sprinkler, generator and electrical systems, while also saying the work shall follow Town of Sunapee capital reserve fund procedures and policies. The library’s bylaws place custody and management of the institution with the Abbott Library Board of Trustees under RSA 202-A:11:1, and the board is made up of seven elected members serving staggered three-year terms, with up to three alternates appointed on the trustees’ recommendation.

A May 18, 2026 presentation to the Sunapee Town Council requested additional funding for extensive building repairs and HVAC upgrades, split into two phases. The first phase focused on mold remediation, drywall repairs and insurance-related restoration after a pipe burst. The second phase centered on replacing rooftop units that have exceeded their 30-year life expectancy, work necessary to address chronic humidity and insulation issues.

Those upgrades were intended to prevent future mold growth and protect both the library collection and patrons. Abbott Library Trustees meetings are scheduled for May 26, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., and June 23, 2026, from 5 to 6 p.m.