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 Granby’s population is 10,500 square feet.  The current library building has 2,500 square feet.  It was built through a Carnegie Grant in 1917 for a population of fewer than 1000 people, with a projected capacity of 5,000 volumes.  The Library building has remained fundamentally the same since 1917.  Today, ninety-three years later, Granby’s population is over 6000, and the same building with the same square footage serves as its Public Library, with a collection of approximately 27,000 volumes.  This insufficient space has had a definite impact on Library services.

The State of Massachusetts has agreed to support Granby in building a new Library with a grant of almost $1 million if Granby were able to include the Library in the secondary school building complex.  That particular plan has recently been rejected by the committee looking at the problems of the School buildings.

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 Granby’s larger capital problems.

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

February 2010 Trustee Meeting Minutes
Posted on Jul 13 2010
Board of Trustees >>

Granby Free Public Library Trustee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date:  February 1, 2010

Present:           Virginia Snopek, Carol Battersby, Leah Condon, Nancy Evren, Amy Kimball, Gwen Morrissey, Bridget Roy, Renee Still, Jennifer Crosby

Absent:            Dianne Barry

Visitors:          Granby Historical Commission members: Nancy Brooks, Jon Brook, Greg Leonard, and Mark Monaco; Friends of the Granby Public Library President Marty Jewett

The meeting began at 6:38 pm.  Minutes from our previous meeting of January 4, 2010 were read. Gwen made a motion to accept them with corrections; seconded by Amy.  All in favor.

The meeting began with an introduction by Nancy Brooks of the Historical Commission members.  Virginia followed by giving an overview of the library siding history to the Commission.  Up for discussion was an initial quote to side the remaining painted portions of the library.  This quote (see attachment) was handed out to Board and Commission members.  Virginia noted that it is significantly cheaper to aluminum side than to paint.  A quote of $20,344 was given to Town Administrator Chris Martin to strip and repaint the problem areas.  Discussion followed with the Commission citing their by-laws dictate and what the word “cover” on the initial quote implied.  Virginia asked what the next step in the process would be if the Commission gave us permission to go ahead.  Their by-laws state that items cannot just be covered up.  Some need to be replaced, i.e., crown molding.  New lead laws going into effect in April 2010 may also impact how the building is treated.  Gregg Leonard explained to the Board the difference between the various types of materials used and how many buildings are updated.  It was asked whether or not members of the Commission and the Board should meet again with the initial bidder.  It was agreed that we would meet again during the day with the bidder so that all parties can discuss in depth what can be done. 

With the departure of the Historical Commission, the Board moved on to the next agenda item.  Virginia informed us that she was appointed to the Ad Hoc Capital Committee which has been tasked to reassess the town’s needs.  A January 2003 report produced by Caolo & Bieniek Associates Inc. for the now defunct Municipal Facilities Ad Hoc Committee reported the various deficiencies and required upgrades of various town buildings.  A two page portion of this report addressed the library (see attachment).  If we were to act on this list now, it would cost us $750,000 to address the deficiencies and complete the upgrades.  It would not include expanded space.  If we were to construct a new library that would meet our present and future needs, it would cost us +/- $3 million.

Renee updated the Board on the School Building Committee’s progress.  They are presently reviewing the cost estimates for the high school options.  Renee ran down the options with the Board.  There should be charts available explaining the tax rate implications at this Wednesday’s informational meeting at East Meadow School.

The budget subcommittee met to review the 2011 budget.  Virginia reminded the Board that this past summer, Jenn received her Master’s degree in Library Science.  With that said, Virginia asked the Board if Jenn’s pay grade should reflect this accomplishment.  Bridget made a motion that we increase Jenn’s pay grade by 2 steps.  Gwen seconded this motion.  Discussion followed and the Board voted in favor of this motion.  Prior to tonight’s meeting, Virginia contacted the Personnel Board regarding how to go about making a step increase adjustment.  They informed her that Jenn must give specifics in her job description demonstrating how the M.I.L.S. justifies the step increase.  Jenn will submit this to Virginia who will then present it to the Personnel Board.

The budget subcommittee was tasked to produce two budgets, one at 0% increase and another at -5%.  The subcommittee slashed already under-allotted line items to include the telephone bill, stamps and maintenance, but the budget was still over the 0%.  Understanding the difficulties we are all under at this time, Amy made a motion that we cut the Children’s Librarian hours by 7 hours.  This would eliminate the Monday and Thursday prep time hours.  Bridget and Carol seconded this.  The motion passed.  Janice will be invited to the next budget subcommittee meeting so that the budget cut can be discussed.

Library Director’s Report:  Jenn reported to the Board that she is presently playing phone tag with the National Grid’s pricing department representative Tom Smith regarding having flood lights installed to illuminate the sidewalk to the parking lot.  He has yet to call her back.  Jenn will also be mailing out letters to the Center Street residents asking them to refrain from parking in the library’s parking lot – even during off-hours – or risked being towed.  A sign in the parking lot clearly states that parking is for library patrons only and all others will be towed.  There has been some issues with vehicles left in the parking lot in the past.

Warrants in the amount of $2,307.62 and $1,128.20 were unanimously approved. 

The next meeting will be held March 15^th, 2010 at 6:30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy C. B. Evren, Secretary

Attachments:    Agenda

                        Phil Beaulieu and Sons Siding Quote

                        e-mail from Jenn to Virginia regarding the building’s exterior

                        January 2003 report listing library required upgrades and deficiencies

Last changed: Jul 12 2010 at 8:54 PM