AVON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS PROJECT
BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
DECEMBER 17, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Diane Hornaday called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM in the Avon Room, Town Hall Building I. Members present: Chairperson Diane Hornaday, Secretary David Goldsholl, Scott Boos, Diane Carney, Tad Kuziak, Barbara Leonard, and Janet Stokesbury. Members absent: none. Also in attendance were Assistant Town Manager Blythe Robinson and Library Director Virginia Vocelli.
II. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS – NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Tad Kuziak motioned, Diane Carney seconded, and all agreed to accept the November 5, 2008 minutes as written. None opposed or abstained.
III. COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE
None.
IV. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
David Goldsholl expressed his concerns over the Town Council’s management of the debt service in relation to the Library project going forward. He feels we should know the direction by March 2009, that public opinion is based on the budget deficit. He has a call into the Town’s Director of Finance Peggy Colligan to track our debt service vs. credit. Tad Kuziak added that the unknown: the micro economy – recent revaluation and refinance of the high school project and the macro economy – the broader global economy, will steer public opinion in the next six months with regard to the Library project. Ms. Robinson said the State would not roll back any of Avon’s grant money in the current fiscal year, but there may be cuts for FY 09/10. The committee countered with a recent Hartford
Courant article that said the Town would lose some of the funding. Blythe said the staff will monitor the property tax returns in February as a gauge. Ms. Hornaday will keep in contact with our state representative Tim LeGeyt. She mentioned the President-elect’s recent statement that States will receive monies for “shovel ready” projects. She feels we are still far away from that with the Library project. The “bottom line” is no one has any money and we have to be prepared for that. Ms. Robinson added that the vault and school re-roof are the only projects shovel ready, that the Library would be ready a good six months after referendum.
V. DISCUSS PROJECT NEXT STEPS
Ms. Hornaday spoke of the resident’s continued interest in the project, mentioning the Lion’s Club. She feels the members still need to keep the project out front, that it’s still moving forward just later. Library Director Virginia Vocelli suggested the VFW, Rotary, and the 12-13 book groups in town. She spoke of expanding the website and that Architect Peter Wells is working on a PDF of the floor plans for it. News of the grant award sparked some articles in the Hartford Courant and Post. Ms. Leonard will mention it in the next newsletter that reaches about 800 residents. Ms. Robinson will include this in the next Town newsletter. Ms. Hornaday said we’d have to get new numbers by June, that we’d need to get the project in place before “the big inflation”
sets in. Janet Stokesbury suggested a March meeting before the April vacation. Ms. Hornaday said to plan on the third Wednesday in March when people would have a clearer picture of their financial health. She’d like the various members to keep in touch to report on their various meetings and interests they’re following.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
Barbara Leonard and Virginia Vocelli spoke of their recent LEED's meeting at the State Capitol. Ms. Leonard suggested a visit to the Darien Library that received a LEED’s gold standard.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Diane Hornaday wished everyone a happy holiday. Barbara Leonard motioned, David Goldsholl seconded, and all voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 PM.
Recorded by:
Susan G. Gatcomb, Staff Person
David Goldsholl, Secretary
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