AVON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS PROJECT
BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 23, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 PM by Chairperson Diane Hornaday in the Community Room at the Avon Public Library. Members present: Chairperson Diane Hornaday, Secretary David Goldsholl, Janet Stokesbury, Tad Kuziak, Diane Carney and Barbara Leonard. Absent: Scott Boos. Also present were Library Director Virginia Vocelli and Assistant to the Town Manager Blythe Robinson.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS - JANUARY 9, 2008 & JANUARY 14, 2008
David Goldsholl suggested two changes be made to the January 9th minutes. He wanted to clarify that his discussion was with Tom Harrison, Chairperson of the Board of Finance relating to the debt models provided by Dennis Dix, the Town's Financial Advisor. His conclusion was that the Town has sufficient bond capacity for this project. He also pointed out a typo in section V. Diane Carney motioned to accept the January 9th minutes as amended, Tad Kuziak seconded, accepted unanimously by all. Dave motioned to accept the January 14th minutes as presented, Barbara Leonard seconded, all agreed except Diane Carney who abstained, as she was not present at this meeting.
III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM AUDIENCE
None
IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Diane Carney thanked everyone for their understanding with her family emergency that prevented her from attending the architect interviews. Diane Hornaday thanked everyone and felt the interviews were very fruitful. Library Director Virginia Vocelli will send as many staff as she can to visit other of the architect's designed libraries and arrange Librarian directed tours for the committee members in order to see how these ideas have worked and which have not. Barbara Leonard discussed research she had done with libraries designed by Tuthill and Wells: Bristol, West Hartford and Plainville. Overwhelmingly the opinions were positive; the firm was creative, responsive, well liked and highly recommended. David Goldsholl researched work done at Wethersfield, Southbury and Wallingford. He found very similar
remarks about the firm. He noted that the public was also very positive about the renovations.
The committee discussed funding for the project. Blythe explained that the Town bonded project's "bricks and mortar", that monies for items like books or computers (items lasting less than five years) generally were gotten through donations or fundraising. Tad Kuziak discussed the need to explain to donors exactly what items they were donating for. Chairperson Hornaday would like all committee members to attend the February Town Council meeting for the presentation of the architect and if appropriate at the meeting, to receive clarity from the Council as to what the referendum will cover. Peter Wells should also be in attendance. The grant application for the project must be sent to the State by September 1st with a preliminary decision made by the third week of November.
V. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION - LIBRARY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FIRM
The committee will make the architectural services firm's recommendation to the Town Council at their February 7th meeting. Blythe will write a memo to the Council with the information the committee will present. Diane Hornaday will introduce the committee and present the history of work done so far and oversee communication to ensure the clarity and understanding of the presentation. Blythe will be handling contract negotiations with Tuthill & Wells which she has sent to the Town Attorney for review. Blythe will have architect recommendation and contract information sent to the committee members for review by Friday. Chairperson Diane Hornaday told the committee that no liability associated with the project would be incurred by any building committee member. Janet Stokesbury motioned to select the
architectural firm of Tuthill & Wells for the Library's Renovation and Addition project, Barbara Leonard seconded, all unanimously agreed.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
The next building committee meeting will be held at the Library in the Community Room February 20, 2008, 6:30 PM.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Tad Kuziak motioned to adjourn, David Goldsholl seconded, all agreed, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM.
Recorded by:
Susan Gatcomb, Staff Person
David Goldsholl, Committee Secretary
| 
