Verbal Fight Breaks Out at Library Trustee Meeting

Two men got into an argument last night at a public hearing about the proposed library building project.

Two men, Library Building Committee Vice Chairman Fran Manella and , an opponent to , got into a shouting match in the back of the room. Selectman Maurice DePalo got between the two men while they each shouted, "You shut up," and, "Why don't you shut up."

Some of the other people in the room which included about 40 residents were concerned about their safety and asked for someone to get the police. An off-duty police officer from another town who was at a different meeting came to the room to keep the peace.

The public hearing about the proposed library project continued with opponents to the project asking for the project to be scaled back and supporters asking to move the project forward and work out the design plans after the town votes on the project.

. Since then, the Board of Trustees have asked the state for a 10 percent reduction in the library project, and that would still allow the town to qualify for the grant.

The library board is requesting residents to email Shrewsbury Library Director Ellen Dolan at edolan@th.ci.shrewsbury.ma.us or send in letters to the library at 609 Main St.