A new library could open in New Boston by January 2010 if residents approve it on the March ballot.

Residents and town officials discussed this, among other items on the town warrant, Monday, Feb. 2, at the deliberative session of Town Meeting.

Eric Seidel, chairman of the Board of Library Trustees, presented a plan to build a $1.46 million library east of Route 13 between the post office and Piscataquog River. The warrant article requests a bond of $499,000 from the town to cover part of the cost.

“We are completely out of space,” said Seidel of the current Whipple Free Library. “The shelves are completely full. Seating is extremely limited. We have only three computers. At the same time, usage of the library is up considerably.”

The new library plan would allow for the construction of a one-story, 5,200-square-foot library, twice the size of the current one. In addition to having double the capacity for materials, an expanded children’s room and circulation desk, the new library would also have a new community program room.

“We’ll be able to provide better programming,” said Seidel on the new room, which could become a cultural center for the town. “We can envision a lot of activity.”

According to the trustees’ plan, if the bond is passed at the March vote, construction would begin in May, finish in December, and the new library would be open in January 2010.

Fifty-nine percent of the plan is privately funded, according to Seidel, with fundraising by the library trustees and money in the library capital reserve fund. The cost of a $499,000 bond to taxpayers would be an average of 10 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, or $20 on a $200,000 home.

“This is a project that’s long been overdue,” said Selectman Dave Woodbury. “This is a very good time to take on this project.” Some residents questioned the legitimacy of the project given the current economic downturn. Almost all residents in attendance approved the motion to put the article on the March ballot.

Other issues at the deliberative session included the operating budget for 2009. The town is requesting a 4.5 percent increase in the operating budget to $3,888,987. The increase is half of what it has been in previous years, at 9 percent, mostly due to the economy. After some debate, the motion to place the article on the March ballot passed.

Residents discussed another article which would not allow dogs to run at-large and out of the control of their owner. Police Chief Christopher Krajenka spoke about the growing issue of loose dogs in the town.

“I’ve had numerous complaints,” said Krajenka at the meeting. “Currently, I have no way to enforce (a law).”

If the article passes in March, it will be unlawful for a dog to run at-large unless accompanied by the owner or when used for hunting, herding, etc. The motion was passed by all those in attendance.

All other articles up for deliberation passed. Some included the purchase of a 10-wheel dump truck to improve roads during the winter and an energy audit of the Town Hall.

In addition to the articles discussed, residents will vote for a selectman, cemetery trustee, fire ward, library trustee, trustee of the trust take place March 10 at New Boston Central School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.