PITTSFIELD – Councilors applauded a $1 million proposed expansion and renovation of the historic Pittsfield Public Library on Tuesday night, a project that may take up to three years to complete but will carry the century-old “gem” into the next hundred years.

Because the structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the existing library will be renovated but remain intact. However, due to the town’s purchase two years ago of an abutting property west of the library, two large additions are planned on that side of the building.

The first section would house a new ground-level entrance and elevator to allow for handicapped access, a new circulation desk and computer area, as well as access to a new basement community meeting room. The second section would contain a new children and young adult’s section, all within easy sight and access of the staff.

The existing library would be renovated to include quiet reading spaces, expanded shelf space and media centers.

David Lauchlin of Barba Architecture and Preservation of Portland presented the proposal along with nearly two-dozen library supporters. “There are very few libraries like this in the state,” he said. “This is a real gem.”

Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy Scottish philanthropist, gave $15,000 for the original construction of the library in 1903, which was matched by $10,000 from the town and $5,000 from resident Robert Dobson’s estate.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and boasts not only outstanding architecture and historic significance, but also a unique mural on the rotunda painted by Maine humorist Tim Sample.

The library centennial committee chairman Ann McGowan told the council that grant funds were used to complete a needs assessment and fund Barba’s consulting services and now the fund-raising portion of the project will begin. She said grants, endowments and gifts will be relied upon. “We need to line up the money first, before we tackle the details of construction,” she said.

Councilor Michael Gray encouraged the library volunteers, adding that he thought their “timing was right” to begin fund raising.

This would be the first and only fund-raiser the library has ever conducted.

In other business, the council approved spending $25 a ton to have the existing woodpile at the transfer station chipped and to hold an emergency meeting Tuesday, June 24, to pass a temporary moratorium on all commercial and industrial businesses dropping wooden pallets at the facility until a user fee system can be adopted.

The council members present made it clear they would have passed such an emergency ban Tuesday night, but Town Manager Kathryn Ruth checked the town charter and five affirmative votes are required to pass an emergency measure. Just four councilors were in attendance. Mayor Charles Cianchette, Peter “Andi” Vigue and Jack Wright were absent.

The town budgeted $24,000 for chipping this year and has already spent $17,000. This new chipping would put the town over budget, and Don Chute, the solid waste coordinator, said that at the present rate of pallet disposal, chipping would be required again within a week or two of reopening the wood and brush area.

Chute said the area had three pallet recyclers last year but all have gone out of business. “This is not only our problem,” he said. “Everyone has the same issue. Pallets are coming in to the transfer station by the tractor-trailer load and our residents are paying for their removal.”

Chute said he will bring a report to the emergency meeting outlining what other towns are doing about pallet disposal, and Ruth said she will provide a proposed user fee schedule.