LFNAC Minutes – January 5, 2009

The Library Facilities Needs Assessment Committee met at the Hatfield Public Library at 6:37 p.m.

Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Harold Green, Milton Howard, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams
Absent: Susan Gaughan
Also attending: Stephen Hale, Architect; Tim Heatwole, Landscape Architect; Rick Martin, Secretary of both the Historical Society and Historical Commission; Corey Bardwell, Historical Society Treasurer; Huddie Bardwell, Historical Society Vice-President

Rick reported on conversations with Historical Society officers and Board of Directors.
HS is committed to taking care of the historical collection in the Dickinson building. HS does not want to move. HS does not want less space than it currently has. If the Library vacates the building, HS will work with other town departments to expand to the first floor. If LFNAC chooses an addition/renovation of Dickinson, HS will work with LFNAC. Once LFNAC has made a decision about the Library, HS will work within those plans. The ideal situation for HS is more space and to have display space. Other officers reiterated that they are waiting for LFNAC to present a plan and that they will respond to that.

Rick, Corey and Huddie left the meeting.

Stephen Hale handed out a schedule of proposed meetings and topics through May. The Committee made some changes due to state holidays.

Stephen passed out a matrix for site selection which had been revised based on LFNAC’s comments at the December 20 meeting. With this new and adjusted information, the top two sites are a new building near Dickinson and an addition/renovation to Dickinson. The two bottom choices are renovation of the Center School (serious issues with handicapped accessibility) and addition/renovation of a portion of Town Hall. A new building near Smith Academy is in the middle.

We viewed slides of the sites, several views of each, including some preliminary ideas for a new, improved Library. There was a lot of discussion of the various possibilities.

Our next meeting is Saturday, January 17, 9:00 a.m. at Hatfield Public Library. At that meeting, we will refine the matrix and also begin planning information sessions for residents.

The following meeting will be Monday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library. Stephen Hale will attend this meeting.

Sheila distributed spiral bound copies of the Building Program.

The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,

Dodie Gaudet, Secretary