Minutes
Library Construction Committee
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Town Hall
Present: Kathy Bartels, Kelly Collins, Pam Czekanski, Drayton Fair, Brent Gates, Joel Lindsay, Aimee Lombardo, Richard Marks, Roland Ochsenbein, John Rodenhiser, Chris Rogers.
Absent: Mickie Simpson, Bill Strapko
Also present: Margot Brody, Ann Hurd, Cia Ochsenbein
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
Pam moved to accept the minutes of January 10, January 24, and January 31, 2008 as written (second: Roland; unanimous in favor).
Richard reported about his meeting with DEP on Tuesday, February 5. He attended with Jodi Ross, Chris McClure, and Chief Alfano. DEP was positive about the concept of a shared well, to be located in the woods behind the public safety building and with a 100’ radius. DEP must still do a site inspection and tests, and Chris McClure will complete the required applications (a 3-4 month process). Jodi will coordinated with the Public Safety Building Committee regarding shared costs.
Richard distributed a proposed schedule and budget (attached in hard copy). He noted the following:
· Schematic design has gone on substantially longer than anticipated
· Once we’ve approved the schematics, design development must move quickly
· We’re currently running about 5% over budget.
· Construction phase is set to begin August 19, 2008.
Drayton showed the architects’ latest drawings. He noted that the floor plan hasn’t changed much. Minor changes include a larger vestibule outside the program room, and a reconfiguration of Reference including moving carrels and PCs.
The architects suggest reversing the layout of the second floor, which locates the Children’s Room on the east side. Other changes to this floor include a second toilet and more storage, including storage within the story/craft area. The architects noted that the service desk on this floor needs to be relocated for better control of the area. The YA area is still too large at 1K SF and 5800 volumes. Drayton and Kelly will compare numbers on this. Consensus: the committee favors the children’s room on the east side.
The architects have reduced the building’s height by 1-2’ and are still trying to save enough room for a mechanical mezzanine with a 7’ ceiling. The addition is now about 40’ high, or about 11’ higher than the original building. The new exterior shows Tudor motifs taken from the original building. Drayton noted that the dormers don’t line up on the outside, but are aligned with the inside layout.
Richard noted that our budget will not allow for cultured stone, and in any case there are still questions about this material’s ability to withstand freeze/thaw cycles. We have to cut SF to stay within budget, but stone would require drastic cutting. Brick may be a possibility. The architects need to research brick for color and appearance.
The architects suggest that the entry be a simple loggia with columns and beams.
Roland was concerned that the entrance still doesn’t “announce itself.” He noted that the current scheme is an improvement over all-glass, but the structure still feels like a side (not main) entrance. Suggestions from the committee include a larger portico, extension of the canopy beyond the building, a pavilion-like element, or a porte-cochere.
Cia Ochsenbein asked why the tablet looks so high, and suggested that it might look disproportionately so on the east side. Kathy responded that it depends on materials used.
Back to the budget, Richard distributed a Schematic Design Estimate dated 2/7/08 (attached in hard copy). He proposed showing the furniture line at $300K, rather than $400K. When fundraising nears its goal, the amount can be increased. To control costs, Richard recommended reducing the building by as much as 1K SF, suggesting that a portion of the east wing be removed and the remainder compressed.
The group discussed ways to mitigate the height, including alternate locations for the mechanicals. The committee directed the architects to work on getting the mechanicals off the roof and into a basement space. The architects will find out if such a basement would be considered a third story, which puts the building in a different category. The architects noted that they are designing to a building code that has yet to be adopted in Massachusetts.
Richard asked the committee to vote to approve the reconfigured second floor. On a motion from Roland (second: Chris), the committee voted unanimously in favor.
Annoucement: Abutter Ann Hurd (746 Main St.)’s new septic design will be the subject of a hearing on Tuesday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. Richard noted that this project will have no impact on the library plan.
Next meeting dates: Feb. 21, March 6, and March 20 (all Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m., at Town Hall).
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Collins
| 
