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, September 13th. The group will be meeting promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
December 2009 Trustee Meeting Minutes |
| Posted on Jul 13 2010 |
Granby Free Public Library Trustee Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: December 7, 2009
Present: Dianne Barry, Virginia Snopek, Director, Jennifer Crosby, Leah Condon, Carol Battersby, Gwen Morrissey, Renee Still,
Absent: Nancy Evren, Amy Kimball, Bridget Roy
The meeting began at 6:40. The minutes from the November 2nd meeting were read by Dianne. A motion to approve the minute, with corrections was made by Gwen, with a second by Carol. We were all in favor.
Progress regarding lighting along walkway: Jennifer reports that Rick Rosazza came to look at the proposed project. He said it would be a big job to install lights on the building in the spots that we chose. His suggestion was to put lights on posts. Timers can be put on posts. By doing this, the electrical wiring would not have to be done through the attic. He says this lighting choice would be an easier installation, and would look better with the existing exterior décor. Thinking that the job cost will be over $1,000.00, Virginia is prepared to make three calls for bids. She spoke to Chris Martin. He suggested that we use the lower level door to make an exit at closing time. After discussion, we concluded that this is not a good idea. We will seek three bids for review. Rick has not responded with his bid yet. Virginia will call two other electricians for quotes on the job. We need to find out if this job can be done now, or will we have to wait until spring. Renee made a motion to rescind the first motion we made regarding the lighting in order to contact other electricians and consider other options. This motion was seconded by Gwen. All voted in favor.
Report by Renee regarding the urns: Renee took pictures and brought them to Chicopee Mason Supply. She was told that most likely these urns will have to be sand-blasted before being repainted. That could cost up to $1,000, and it is unsure if they will survive the process. They are filled with concrete, offering no drainage. It was suggested she go to a burial vault company in Ludlow. Two of the employees at this company said they would come out to see the urns. We have not heard from them. Renee brought a catalogue with details about urns that have holes in them for drainage. They cost about $100.00 each. We would still need to refurbish the blocks for the wall. Virginia was looking for pictures showing the urns in years past. The urns were not an original part of the library. If we remove the urns, what will we do with the “wall” underneath?? Can we ask the Highway Department for help in the removal? A motion by Leah, seconded by Gwen was made: Instead of repairing the urns, we will remove them and repair the stone slab that remains. A discussion followed. The vote on this motion was 2 in favor, and 4 against. This motion failed. Renee made a new motion with a second by Carol: That we replace the urns with new Grecian style urns. A discussion followed. The vote on this motion was 4 in favor and 2 against. The motion carries.
Meeting with Chris Martin regarding the painting of the library: Virginia met with Chris last week. At Virginia’s prompting, Chris contacted the painting company. Chris came over to the library and met with a representative. The painter believes that there is lead paint on the building. Dave Turcotte has removed the vines from the building. Underneath the vines the wood is very dirty and stained. A consult with a power washing company tells us that this kind of stain must be removed by hand with soft scrub cleaner and a nylon scrubber. The company contacted said that power washing will not remove the mess, and that they do not do the kind of work we need done. Virginia went with this news to Chris. He suggested that Virginia call Chief Barry. He said that he may be able to get inmates from Hampshire County Jail to do the work. The workers would need to be monitored and that all of the materials would need to be provided for them. We are waiting to hear from Chief Barry about the availability of the inmates. Workman’s Comp insurance must be provided for the workers on this job.
In response to Chris’s inquiry about the job from Royal Touch Painting- the job could be completed in 8-10 days. There are rules governing painting over lead paint. For now, he would sand areas on the rear porch and the side ramp at a cost of $14,744. This does not get rid of the lead paint, it just gets rid of the areas that are peeling and then it is painted over. We are told that this will look awful. We asked about combining our paint job with the one at Town Hall, but found out that we cannot combine them.
Virginia found the old file with information from 1990 that gave us approval from the Granby Historical Commission to use four inch siding on the sides, but not for use on the front or for trim. For the Town hall job, Chris has a name of a man named Beaulieu, who does work within historic districts. He is coming Wednesday to look at the job. We have $12,500 to do the job. Chris is still waiting for a quote from Royal Touch for the complete job of sanding and repainting the building.
At an Education Meeting for the Master Plan that Virginia was invited to, Emre Evren said that he had questions for her about the library. He promised to contact her by e-mail. When she had not heard from him, Virginia contacted him again. He says that he got his answers from Nancy Evren and a draft of the 5 year plan. They will include a goal to improve the library facilities with two strategies: 1. Find more physical space to expand the library space. 2. Identify and improve resources to enable the library to offer extended hours and hire more staff.
Virginia spoke with Chief Barry about the library building and the need for more space. They discussed where there is enough space for a building. The land where the C.O.A. is would be a perfect spot for a library. She asked him if the Police Department had any objection to having the library built there should the C.O.A. be lucky enough to move to a new building. Chief Barry said he had no problem with this use of the land and suggested combining the needs of the C.O.A and Library in one building. We need to have a plan in place when the next round of grants comes around.
Ethics training: The town policy regarding ethics reform was passed out for each Trustee. As elected officials we must read the information and take a test on- line. We were asked to take it at home. We can print out a copy of the certificate and get it to the Town Clerk. This must be done by April 2nd. Virginia will send out an e-mail to members who are not here.
Report on Sexual Harassment Workshop: The e-mail went out at the last minute, so most members did not get it. This training took place in November 9th, 2009. Attendees listened to a presentation and got a packet of information.
Update of School Building Committee: Renee reports that a subcommittee has been created to deal with communication this committee must be careful to give only factual information. The committee will try to put out information in newspapers and TV as it becomes available.
New Book drop: It has been installed. The sign that was donated by Florence Savings Bank is coming. The Friends have sent a thank you and when it comes in, the Trustees will also send one.
Dave Turcotte has not been able to remove the wood doors and screen doors from the shed. Jennifer will check to see if she has already done a work order, and if not, she will do one.
Library Director’s report:
The wireless internet capabilities are being publicized. Jennifer wrote up press release about this and included information about the new “play aways” (an audio book without a disc).
Jennifer has been submitting upcoming library programs and information to the C.O.A. for use in their monthly newsletter.
Virginia went to a Friends’ meeting and made a suggestion that they might want to buy a couple of laptops for use here- for people who do not have one.
Rosemary Waltos, building consultant for the MBLC sent a memo saying that we have gotten an extension until June 15, 2010 on our grant.
Jennifer spoke with Chris Martin and Dave Turcotte regarding the holiday candles that are put in the windows. There is nowhere to plug them in and the old wiring makes them a fire hazard. Jennifer will look into the battery powered lights and make up a work order to have the old ones removed.
National Grid has fixed the street light outside the library.
The Long Range Plan was mailed by December 1st.
The Warm the Heart Drive has begun. Gloves, hats and mittens are sought.
Fine Free Week runs from December 8th to the 15th. Bring in an item for the Warm the Heart Drive and the fine is lifted.
The Friends’ Holiday Basket Sale started Saturday, December 5th and runs through the 23rd.
A request has been made by Janice for a 3 wheeled cart to transport the books between floors. The Trustees have decided that for safety reasons, this is not a good idea. The books will have to be brought down as they were before.
Leah Condon has sold two more of the old books on e-Bay.
The project to clean out under the table upstairs is still a work in progress. Jennifer will check on it. Janice has cleaned out the space in storage as requested.
The next meeting will be January 4, 2010 at 6:30.
Warrants in the amount of $772.50, $313.59, and $842.01 were approved.
Motion to adjourn was made by Carol at 8:30. It was seconded by Leah, all were in favor.
Never Falter, Never Quit!
Dianne BarryLast changed: Jul 12 2010 at 8:51 PM
Back