AVON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY RENOVATIONS & ADDITION PROJECT
BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 2, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:40PM by Barbara Leonard in the History Room at the Avon Public Library. Members present: Chairperson Diane Hornaday, Secretary David Goldsholl, Tad Kuziak, Scott Boos, Janet Stokesbury, Diane Carney, and Barbara Leonard. Absent: None. Also in attendance were Library Director Virginia Vocelli, Assistant to the Town Manager Blythe Robinson and Architects Peter Wells and Bruce Tuthill.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING - MARCH 19, 2008
Philip Schenck, Jr. pointed out the correct dates of the opening of the Library and the population at the time. David Goldsholl motioned to accept the minutes with these changes, Barbara Leonard seconded, and all agreed.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE
None.
IV. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Library Director Virginia Vocelli spoke very positively of her visit to the Town of Simsbury's new Library renovation project. The Town moved the Library offsite during the renovation and used the moving company AMODIO. Peter said that this company specializes in library moves which are more difficult than regular office moves. Blythe has retained them to do the move for the Town of Avon's Town Hall renovation project and asked them for pricing information for the Library's move. Both Blythe and Diane Hornaday emphasized the need to have comparative costs of remaining or moving when presenting to the Town Council in June or July. Ms. Hornaday wants to show the committee's thoroughness in researching the possibilities beforehand in presenting the best proposal to the Council.
Tad Kuziak inquired about the "cost to carry" the Library and could this "operating budget savings" be used to offset the cost incurred if the Library goes offsite against the capital costs of the project. Blythe explained that the Town Manager's budgeting process doesn't work that way. Tad suggested inviting Phil to explain the budget process to the committee. Diane Hornaday suggested we wait until after the current budget process is concluded.
Janet Stokesbury questioned the timing of the referendum. Blythe will discuss the best course of action with the bond counsel Attorney. She said the Council and Board of Finance will decide the date based on a variety of factors. David Goldsholl suggested as the best method of discerning how the Town truly feels about the project would be to vote at a time when the voter turnout would be at its peak. Diane Hornaday added that you go to referendum for the whole amount and only borrow what you need. She also said the Town traditionally never runs projects with national elections, as they want the focus to be as a "just for our town" type of referendum.
V. REVIEW LIBRARY PROJECT DESIGN
Peter Wells presented changes to his former plan number four. His new plan will be able to keep the original facade of the building by adding on to the sides of the building along Sunnybrook Road and the rear, extending the front door a few feet, adding a basement and new elevator and bringing the first floor's square footage to approximately 24,000 square feet. The second floor isn't quite ready for presentation yet. The plan will bring light to the interior of the building through glass walls and a skylight space which could be used later to display artwork and provide passive solar heating (green). The new plan, of the building with more parking spaces, brings the lot's impervious coverage area to approximately 43% which would be in non-compliance with Zoning's regulation of 35%. Discussion ensued as to how
to adjust either the zoning's regulation or the well-received plan. Blythe investigated the issue and found the zoning regulations would have to be changed to allow us to go for a variance. Peter added that this regulation had recently changed due to a church's request for additional parking. Diane Hornaday knows that the Council would not be receptive to changing regulations.
With regard to the requirement of not more than 35% of the site covered by impervious surfaces, Scott Boos spoke of a job he's quoting in East Lyme that offers a parking lot covered in an eco-friendly material that is permeable. He volunteered to get information on the material and present it to Peter and Blythe in the next week. Bruce Tuthill suggested re-designing the parking lot as a fallback. Virginia can re-visit the State Library's guidelines for library seating and parking accommodations to see if the number can be reduced. Blythe suggested that the Building Committee may want to attend the April 14th Town Council meeting to make sure they are agreeable to a Planning & Zoning amendment.
Peter's plan best fits the grant's guidelines yet presents zoning issues. His main push is the get the footprint first and then the interior spacing could be determined later. Ms. Hornaday reiterated the committee's approval of the essential design. She also reminded the committee that changes after design are major costs.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
Blythe had a hand-out on the state grant guidelines for the group. Virginia will attend a grant workshop on April 16th which will also give her a chance to see our competition. The grant application will be handled by Virginia, Peter, Blythe and the Town. The next meeting will be held April 16th, at 6:30PM in the History Room at the Avon Library.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Diane Hornaday and Diane Carney motioned for adjournment, Barbara Leonard seconded, all agreed and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM.
Recorded by
Susan Gatcomb, Staff Person
David Goldsholl, Secretary
| 
