LFNAC Minutes – January 31, 2009

Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Milton Howard, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams. Also present: George Ashley, President of the Historical Commission

Committee members described to George conversations we had had with Historical Society officers. According to George, the Historical Society has money in their treasury, but given the monthly maintenance cost of the Dickinson building, that money would soon be depleted. If the library vacates the building, the Historical Commission will argue to keep the building as a museum. Ideally, the two reading rooms would be display area and the attic would be work area. LFNAC members reminded George that if Dickinson becomes a museum, it is a change of use and would likely be subject to ADA compliance.

According to George, the Museum is owned by the town; the collections are under supervision of the town. It is up to the Historical Commission on behalf of the town to say where the museum is located. Members of the Historical Society do all of the actual work involved with the museum and collection.

LFNAC should meet with the Selectboard to keep them informed of where we are in our discussions with the Historical Society and Historical Commission and progress in general. We want the Selectboard to know that we’ve narrowed our options for a library site. Harold will try to get on the Selecboard agenda within the first 2 weeks of February. There’s no need for Stephen Hale to be present, although Harold will let him know about the meeting. Stephen may be able to answer some questions. [Note: LFNAC is on the agenda for February 17 at about 7:40.].

MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: To pay attorney Joe Cook for the work he did in reviewing the contract with Stephen Hale.

There are some potential problems with the Smith Academy Site (e.g. space, water issues). Rather than keep it in the mix of options and having Stephen spend time (i.e. grant money) designing a building for the site, the Committee decided to eliminate it now.

MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: Eliminate the Smith Academy site from consideration as a place for the new Hatfield Public Library.

Harold will create a Yahoo Group so that all LFNAC members can have access to the latest spreadsheets (site analysis matrix, preliminary cost figures, etc.) as they are revised.

We plan on visiting other town groups during April to let as many residents as possible know what LFNAC has been doing. We identified the Library Friends, Hatfield Book Club, Council on Aging (lunch?), Lions Club, Hatfield Business Association, Hatfield Education Foundation, and PTO. Perhaps also town committees, although it is likely that most of those members are also involved in the above organizations. We also need to look at what else is happening before setting a schedule, e.g. holidays, school vacation.

LFNAC members should continue to visit other libraries as opportunities arise. Two questions to ask staff: What is the best thing about your library building? What is the worst thing?

Our next meeting is Thursday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hatfield Library; the following meeting will be Thursday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. Stephen Hale will attend these meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 10:19 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dodie Gaudet, Secretary

LFNAC Minutes – January 26, 2009

The Library Facilities Needs Assessment Committee met at the Hatfield Public Library at 6:30 p.m.

Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams. Also present: Stephen Hale
Absent: Milton Howard

We reviewed the spreadsheet that Stephen had compiled based on an earlier version of our Building Program and updated the information to conform to our official Program.

We reviewed a new spreadsheet compiled by Stephen which contained rough cost estimates of the 5 possible sites for a new Library. Renovation to the Center School is the most costly option in terms of dollar amounts; addition/renovation to Town Hall is the next most costly.

We also discussed another category called “Town Impact (on other buildings in town)”. We added all of these figures to the Site Analysis Matrix that we’ve been working on during the last few meetings.

Renovation of the Center School and addition/renovation to Town Hall scored the lowest. MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: Eliminate these two options from consideration.

Harold reported on the meeting of the Center School group. He relayed to them our concerns with using the Center School for a new Library. That committee posed the question: What about moving all town offices to the Center School and using the entire Town Hall for the Library? LFNAC rejected that proposal since it is dependent on too many things happening before we can begin to make serious plans.

LFNAC viewed several preliminary sketches of the remaining 3 sites and discussed the pros and cons of each. We’re hoping to decide on the one best site soon.

We still need to plan for forums and information sessions.

Our next meeting is Saturday, January 31 at 9:00 a.m. at the Library.

The following meeting will be Thursday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. Stephen Hale will attend this meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dodie Gaudet, Secretary