SALISBURY — Nearly 40 community members gathered at Salisbury Town Hall on March 26 to mark the start of a long-anticipated renovation project nearly 30 years in the making.

Selectboard Chair Pat Dunn thanked the many community members — especially Deb Brighton, Glen and Barbara Andres, and Merle and Kathy Schloff — for their “relentless and selfless drive” in bringing the project forward. In a symbolic gesture, Dunn passed the keys to the building to Courtney DeBisschop of Silver Maple Construction.

Following the ceremony, attendees walked over to the Meeting House, where the library is temporarily located during construction to enjoy coffee, apple fritters and other refreshments provided by the Salisbury Library Board.

The project team includes Silver Maple Construction, Otter Creek engineering, DeBisschop Excavating, Spafford Well Drilling, Vermont Integrated Architecture, and Bill Casavant (Salisbury Clerk of the Works). The renovation will preserve the building’s historic character while adding the much longed for plumbing, improving accessibility, functionality and community use for years to come.