Minutes
Library Construction Committee
April 2, 2009 7 p.m. Town Hall
Present from the committee: Kelly Collins, Pam Czekanski, Panny Gerken, Joel Lindsay, Roland Ochsenbein, John Rodenhiser, Bill Strapko. Absent: Mickie Simpson, Chris Rogers.
Present from DPI: Bob White
Present from LL+B: Drayton Fair, Brendan Riley
Also present: Ann Hurd, Burt Shnitzler, Bob Zak
A quorum being present, Roland called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Minutes from March 5, 2009 and March 26, 2009 were approved as written (motion: Bill; second: Panny; unanimous in favor).
Invoices in the amount of $301,098.09 were approved for payment (motion: Pam; second: Panny; unanimous in favor).
Bob White distributed Change Order #3, which is a credit in the amount of $24,000 for waterproofing modifications as well as a charge of $1,852.00 for modifications to Door X100 (screen/storm door on old library entrance), for a total of $22,148.00. Bob recommended that the committee approve the Order. On a motion from Pam (second, John; unanimous in favor), the committee approved the change order.
Bob reviewed progress at the site as noted in DPI’s monthly report. The report includes a new construction schedule. The GC’s goal is a weathertight building by mid-June. Today, a major coordination meeting was held at the site. Bob said that it went well, with some questions and minor issues, but nothing major.
Bob also reported that on April 1, he and our site supervisor Eddie O’Connor had a joint meeting with the Public Safety Building’s OPM and GC. They discussed coordination of sewer and water to the well and back. A manhole that our project owns has been relocated, and the PSB’s construction managers will lay out the structure, which Eddie will then coordinate. Those at this meeting also discussed scheduling of laying out the water line to the wellhead, and laying conduit when the ground is open for sewer lines. Bob summarized by saying that coordination between the two projects is in good shape.
Bob narrated a budget update, completed just a few hours before the meeting and including tonight’s change order and invoices.
Bob distributed a wish list of items that have been taken out of the project for lack of funds, but which may be added back as construction progresses. The committee discussed the list item by item. Bob advised that the list should be prioritized.
One item on the list was the subject of extensive discussion: $120,000 for chandelier-type light fixtures. Drayton explained that when he showed light fixtures to the committee last July, among them was a 4-armed brass fixture. Two days before the bid date he discovered that these fixtures cost $14,000 each. The OPM, Architect, and Electrical Engineer decided to substitute another light fixture at $800/ea. Simultaneously, they sketched a custom fixture that will cost about $3500/ea. The design includes ten of these fixtures. The Architects presented renderings of all three fixtures. Drayton explained that the custom fixture exists only as a line drawing; they can work with the manufacturer on finish and glass color.
Pam questioned the timing of the discovery of the price of the fixtures the committee saw last July, and asked if there are any more such surprises on the wish list. Kelly noted that the sign and flagpole were surprises to her. Drayton affirmed that there are no others. Pam asked if Drayton has worked with this custom fabricator before; he has not, but the Electrical Engineer, whom he trusts, recommends them. He added that samples can be made, and that it’s possible to alter the design from 4 arms to 2. The group discussed the scale of the fixtures, since there is a size difference between the $800 fixture (it’s smaller) and the other two. Kelly wondered how these pendant lamps will look in the old building, hanging alongside the kerosene lamps (too many things hanging from the
ceiling?). The group gave Drayton these instructions: find out time to fabricate and any surcharges on a rush order, and produce drawings of the interiors showing these fixtures in their proper scale. In reply to Bob’s concern about timing of a decision about fixtures, the group decided to meet again in two weeks (4/16 at 7 p.m.) to see what the Architect has produced.
Bob reviewed plans to move utility poles on the site. (The poles are the subject of a letter from abutters Ann Hurd and John Rodenhiser to the Board of Selectmen, attached to minutes of the March 5, 2009 meeting.) Bob showed the poles at their current and proposed locations. Ann and John prefer that their utilities come from the street, not from a pole in the library lot. Bob discussed this with his contacts at National Grid and learned that it would cost $10-15,000 to run utilities for 746 Main (Hurd/Rodenhiser residence) from Main St. and for 752 Main St. (Keep residence) from Manor Road. In answer to a question from Ann about a possible credit, Bob replied that there will be no cost savings to the project for keeping the current plan (moving the poles over, or modifying the existing
arrangement), but there would be a charge for the work involved in the abutters’ proposal. Ann and John stated that moving the lines and poles closer to their house doesn’t solve the problem of a flawed installation. After some discussion, Joel commented that it isn’t the town’s or project’s job to cover this expense. Panny agreed. Ann asked if there were any alternatives, such as running power to her house from a different, nearer pole. Burt suggested that the abutters, National Grid, and Verizon (which owns the poles) should have a joint meeting. The Committee directed the OPM to arrange a meeting to include National Grid, Verizon, the affected abutters, and appropriate town officials to explore options.
Roland noted that the RFP for artwork will go to the Trustee meeting on Monday, April 6. Kelly said that the latest draft requires trustee involvement at key points such as final selection and signing agreements with artists. The trustees should discuss the degree to which they want to be involved in the process.
Pam said that she’s trying to put together a meeting next week to align naming opportunities with donors. Roland added that we should think about donor signage (when and what; Kelly to obtain examples) and a dedication plaque. Of the latter, Drayton said that the Architect typically designs it, but the committee supplies information and checks spelling.
Next meeting dates are 4/16 and 5/7, both at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Collins
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