1987-01-20 "'1I N UTES
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
January 20 , 1987
Members Present : Elizabeth Baldyga, Rosalie Punkunus , Peter Rosso ,
Paul Czepiga, Paula Alkas , Joseph Pohlmann ,
Judith Lindgren
Members Absent : Mary Carey , David Borthwick
Others Present : Blanche Delaney , Cathy Nelson, Eugene Devlin;
David King of Kaestle Boos Associates Inc.
The meeting was called to order at 7 : 30 p.m. by Chairman Baldyga.
It was VOTED to approve the Minutes of January 6 , 1987 .
Mrs . Baldyga suggested before signing a letter to the Bank of Boston
Connecticut regarding the Trusts of Henry and Kathryn Peck , she would
like to check with legislators to be sure no new legislation would be
forthcoming regarding terminating trust funds .
Mrs . Nelson reported everything went well at the Board of Finance
meeting when the proposed library budget was presented.
Mrs . Baldyga introduced David King , a partner in the architectural
firm of Kaestle Boos Associates , Inc. of New Britain. Mr. King is a
project architect having recently completed libraries for the towns
of Newington and Cromwell . He has started to analyze how our library
would look on the site.
When asked what he presented to the Public Building Commission, he
said he showed slides of their recent work including a study model
to illustrate what they are thinking about and to demonstrate what
is being proposed.
Mr. Pohlmann asked if the Newington project would run concurrently
with our project . Mr. King said the Newington library is now under
construction and it represents at the most two days work per week at
this point. He noted he is the chief designer within the office .
Mr. Pohlmann asked if he could foresee certain advantages for Berlin
in that Mr. King has worked with the Newington and Cromwell libraries .
Mr. King pointed out we will be a beneficiary of that knowledge and
experience. Adding, however, that he doesn' t mean to imply that because
someone did something, we have to do the same thing.
Atty. Czepiga asked what study models are . Mr. King replied it is a
cardboard model to aid in visualizing a project . In addition to the
model they presented slides of the completed Cromwell Library. Hehas
visited other libraries in the area as have the Board members . Mr.
Pohlmann said at this point we know what we want and we have to convey
it to Mr. King.
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
Page two
January 20 , 1987
Mr. Rosso asked if Mr. King has put anything on paper what he feels
should be on this site . He asked if Mr. King was aware of the time-
table to break ground in the spring. Mr. King said it is feasible .
Mrs . Delaney questioned if the Public Building Commission supplied
Mr. King with a Statement of Need. Mr. King indicated in the affirmative .
Mrs .Nelson pointed out the Statement of Need was developed quickly in
preparation of the State grant . The Library Board has decided more
storage room is needed and that we should include a computer room.
Mr. King asked how many computers we are anticipating and if we had
decided on one room or several small rooms with windows for supervision .
Mr. Pohlmann recalled that Farmington Library had small rooms for
studying which were very popular. Mr. King suggested maybe two or
three rooms with windows , strictly a room to work in .
Mrs . Nelson pointed out parking is another concern . Mr. King commented
a strip of double parking along the roadway and the building would
fit in. Mrs . Delaney noted that parking is a serious problem with
common use by the public coming to the Town Hall and the library.
Atty. Czepiga stated he feels parking should be as close to the entrance
as possible and there should be a clear path for the police to travel
so people should not be allowed to back out into traffic.
Mrs . Delaney asked if Mr. King has discussed moving the library to
permit below grade storage . Mr. King said he understands we want a
one story building for public access with access below for storage.
This would mean installation of an elevator so you can wheel a cart
of books onto . Mr. Pohlmann thought perhaps we should go over the
other plans we had drawn previously. Mr. Rosso said maybe it ' s better
if we don' t look at them just yet . Mr. King agreed saying it would he
just as easy for the Board to look at his plans and decide what you
like and don ' t like . He said he should have something for us by the
latter part of next week . Mrs . Baldyga said our next meeting is
scheduled for January 27th. Mr. King said he will have something on
that date .
Mr. Rosso asked how long it would take for mechanical drawings . Mr. King
said once they can proceed with working drawings - a ninety day operation.
Atty. Czepiga asked about furnishing the library. Mr. King said his
firm worked extensively with Cromwell on the furnishings . Newington was
contracted out . It is done both ways . Built-ins can also be done
either way - it is flexible .
Mrs . Baldyga pointed out the exterior of the library is to be the same
as the Town Hall except for the untreated wood. Kaestle Boos were the
architects for the Town Hall project . Mr. King said there is capability
with this building to deal with the aesthetic issue .
Mr. Rosso suggested perhaps Mr. King should ask the Board members
whatever may be helpful to him in preparing the plans . Mr. King asked
if it is desirable that much of the library be supervised. The Board
agreed as much as possible. He pointed out that to he abletolook down
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
Page three
January 20 , 1987
each aisle is not very practical . The library in Wolcott is done
in the round but he didn' t feel it would he something we wouldbe
happy with . Atty. Czepiga suggested keeping areas open but define
them as much as possible. Mr. King said we have 18 ,000 s . f. planned
now and you may creep into the 20 ,000 s . f. area with program which
would increase the budget. He roughly figures the cost of construction
at $2 ,200 ,000 plus $250 ,000 for site work plus equipment plus the
furnishings . He asked if we had considered a security system. Mrs .
Nelson said at this time the library is not losing enough books to
justify the installation of a security system. Mr. King said the
present construction cost is figured at $110/s . f. Newington was
figured at $95/s . f. but one- third was renovation. Board members
expressed surprise at the estimated cost as we had previously under-
stood it would be under $2 . 500 .000 . Mr. King said then we need to
look into our program area.. He noted it will never cost less than
it does now.
Mrs . Delaney asked if the exterior of the library is the same as the
Town Hall , would that bring up the cost . Mr. King said perhaps
there is some basis for that comment .
Members pointed out we have planned a basic program for a library ;
nothing fancy. 18 ,000 s . f. meets the state library requirements
and except for the storage , that is what we originally planned.
Mr. King offered the following timetable : three months drawing time ;
one month bidding time ; two weeks for the low bidder to be approved -
we are looking at June ; 12-16 months to completion , it would be
enclosed by winter.
Mr. Pohlmann asked if the building would be expandable. Mr. King said
it would be to the degree of the site. If we are planning with the
State recommendations , we are including twenty years worth of expansion.
Mr. Devlin asked that a flat roof not be considered. Mr. King said he
understood. There being no further questions , Mr. King left the meeting.
During discussion, it was suggested we look into the fee for hiring
a consultant . Mr. Devlin will contact someone in Newington for information
as they hired Noland LUshington to assist them.
Mr. Devlin reported on the Services for the Blind. Most libraries have
facilities for those people not needing Braille . If we are looking at
,a nay v and innovative program, there isn' t anything better than Planning
B ar .ier' Fr$e Libraries. Mrs. Baldyga will check with the local Lions
club to see if they would be willing to assist in this project.
Tehee be-ing no further business , the meeting adjourned at 8 : 50 P.M.
cam ;,
`m Respectfully submitted ,
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CC CD
Cr) udith M. L ndg/en
Secretary