Report of the Ad Hoc Capital Committee
Background
This committee was charged with looking at the potential capital expenditures facing Granby over the next ten years. We were asked to accomplish this by using, where possible, past studies of the buildings in Town, updated for current conditions, and informal cost estimates. The purpose of this study is to give the Town a broad perspective on all the major capital expenditures the Town could resonably expect to be facing within in the next decade.
We expect that there will be a relatively limited amount of funds tha taxpayers will make available for capital expenditures during this time. This will not allow Granby to create ideal solutions to the Town's problems.
Furthermore, the sheer monetary cost of potential projects make it clear that the Town will have to find some solutions that in many instances are far from the ideal choices for the problems the Town faces.
Granby Public Library
The Granby Public Library is the municipal facility most in need. The minimum recommended size for a Public Library for a Town with
The State of
However, this indicates to us that the State is aware of the current situation, and that the Board of Library Commissioners has funds to support library construction. Our estimate is that they would provide approximately a 50% reimbursement for a free-standing library building. So a $2.0 million investment by the Town could build a library worth almost $4 million.
The Library’s current location at the end of the common does not lend itself to expansion. The Town does not own enough land there to accommodate a larger building of the required size and provide the required parking. Informal discussions with an architect have told us that it is very difficult to try to add to a Carnegie Library and have the addition blend into the original architectural design. Additionally, the land itself, because of ledge, would not be easy to build on. Those four problems, at least, would have to be overcome before an addition could be considered. There would certainly be additional costs.
Another possibility has recently arisen. With the purchase of a building for the Council on Aging, the Aldrich property will soon be available. If the buildings currently on that property were razed, there could be enough room to locate an appropriately sized Library building and accommodate the necessary parking.
We would recommend that the Town explore locating a new Library building on the Aldrich property. This could be a near-ideal solution for one of
The full text document of the Report of the Ad Hoc Capital Committee can be found down the page under "Trustee Meeting Minutes."
Board of Trustees
Trustee Meetings
Held in the lower level of the library.
The next meeting is set for Monday, August 2nd. The group will be meeting promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
December 2008 Trustee Meeting Minutes |
| Posted on Jan 08 2009 |
Granby Free Public Library Trustee Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: December 1, 2008
Present: Virginia Snopek, Nancy Evren, Dianne Barry, Leah Condon, Amy Kimball, Gwen Morrissey, Bridget Roy, Renee Still, Jennifer Crosby
Absent: none
Visitors: Marty Jewett, President, Friends of the Granby Public Library
The meeting began at 6:40 pm. Minutes from our previous meeting dated November 3rd, 2008 were read; Gwen made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections; Amy seconded this motion; all in favor.
The meeting opened with the discussion of hanging the back doors. Area businesses and individual names were given for Jenn to call to see if they could install the doors. A motion was made by Renee to allow Jenn to go ahead and have the doors installed if the total cost was under $1,000. Gwen seconded this motion. All in favor.
Virginia updated us on what Jenn and she did regarding the surveillance bid letters. Virginia decided to ask Cebula and Citizen’s Security to resubmit their bids with an attached equipment list. The total price for Cebula was $4,764.05. Amy made a motion with Dianne seconding that Jenn contact Cebula. All in favor.
Virginia sent a thank you note to Alan Shaw of New England Security for donating surveillance equipment.
Next, Virginia updated the trustees on the most recent trip to Mass Mutual. Virginia, Nancy and Jenn went to pick up stackable chairs. While there, Jenn found out that laptop computers were also available for donation and that Mark Urban of MassMutual will contact us when there are some.
The fence installation will be delayed until Spring because of the weather. The fence will be stored in the old highway garage bay behind Town Hall. Marty asked if it would be at all possible to have the fence installed before the Book and Bake sale this coming Spring. This sale is usually held the last Saturday in April.
Regarding the Dog Reading Program, Ms. JoAnn Cibelli sent a letter asking if we could institute a program for trained dogs to listen to people read them stories. Virginia will write her a letter explaining that in our current library, we do not have the space to accommodate this type of program.
Town Administrator Chris Martin sent a letter inviting us and Carol Battersby to the Selectboard’s meeting this Tuesday where we will vote to install Carol as a Trustee.
Virginia invited Marty to explain how much money was donated for the pavilion. It was a collaborative effort with the fundraising, raffles, and donors, the Granby Lions Club’s pancake breakfast, Florence Savings Bank totaling $8,392.01. Frank Boron was awarded the project with a total cost of $10,039.75. Virginia explained that it was initially decided that the Trustees would pay the difference. But no one foresaw the need for fencing around the area. Because of this, Marty continued, the Friends have decided to pay the difference. Jenn also mentioned that landscaping may be necessary around the pavilion this Spring. Discussion followed as to how landscaping and other expenses will be handled in the future: case by case.
Librarian’s Report: The wireless network was further explained. One access point covers 20 people at once. That would cost $2,000 for the controller plus $700 for fees. The cabling would cost $775. All of this would be prorated this year. Renee made a motion seconded by Gwen that we pursue wireless internet connection. The money will come from the Rita Moore Fund. Discussion followed regarding security issues and passwords. Jenn will coordinate having new computers installed and wireless hookup at the same time some time in January.
The Young Adult section will be moved to the downstairs hallway. Jay Fabricius was contacted to build shelving. This project was estimated at $2300.00. Discussion followed as to whether the Young Adult section should be up or down stairs. Since the cost was between $1,000 and $5,000, a motion was made by Bridget and seconded by Amy to have Jenn make three phone calls regarding the shelving project. All in favor.
Ideas for reference area were discussed next. It is possible to weed it down to half its present size. Bridget and Virginia volunteered to help Jenn tackle the reference area.
Next, should we keep or toss the old wooden chairs? Can we loan the chairs to the Historical Society? Should we get a quote on repairing them? Jenn will contact the Shabby Sheep to see if it is worth pursuing.
The Reference Section has a collection of old Bibles and Granby newspaper clippings. Jenn will see if the Historical Society can put them on display.
Jenn received a letter from Chris Martin stating that the library and Town offices will be closed the days after Christmas and New Year’s. Jenn discussed this with the staff and they have agreed to use personal time for the Saturday after Christmas but remain open the Saturday after New Year’s. The library will close at 1 pm Christmas Eve and at 4 pm New Year’s Eve.
This year’s Warm the Heart Drive will benefit the Providence Behavioral Hospital. Donations are being collected for toddlers through young adult.
The Annual Basket Sale will begin this Saturday with baskets to be dropped off already assembled.
Florence Savings Bank has a $50,000 give away. Jenn encouraged anyone having an account at FSB to fill out the flier.
Marty updated the Trustees on the Waste Management sponsored Christmas party to be held at the library on Friday December 19th at 10:30 am. Recycling bins will also be given to the library for their use. Marty also thanked the Trustees for their assistance at this year’s Book and Bake Sale and the Fall Fashion Show. He also talked about increasing the Friends’ membership to include all Trustees. The Trustees will provide him with e-mail addresses to ensure up-to-date information on various activities is distributed to the Trustees. He is pleased to report that they have been able to bring in businesses as members of the Friends. Marty will be visiting Florence Savings Bank and at that time will ask them if there is anything they would like to see us do, and to thank them again for their donation to the pavilion construction project.
The Holyoke Arts Club asked if they could donate supplies to the library. Renee will go with either Janice or Jenn.
Leah mentioned that a thank you should be extended to Jim Crosby for all his time in updating and adjusting the upstairs shelves. Virginia will send a thank you note with attached gift card.
The next Trustees meeting will be Monday, January 5th at 6:30pm.
Warrant items in the amounts of $2,188.87 and $344.64 were unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy C. B. Evren
Secretary
Last changed: Jan 07 2009 at 11:24 PM
Back