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
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
LFNAC Minutes – January 17, 2009
The Library Facilities Needs Assessment Committee met at the Hatfield Public Library at 9:06 a.m.
Present: Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams
Absent: Martin Antonetti, Milton Howard
We reviewed the matrix again and made some adjustments. The final rankings remained the same: the top two sites are a new building near Dickinson and an addition/renovation to Dickinson; a new building near Smith Academy is in the middle; the two bottom choices are renovation of the Center School and addition/renovation of a portion of Town Hall.
Stephen Hale is coming to Hatfield on Monday, January 19 to view more closely the buildings that could possibly be renovated for a new library. He will be accompanied by an engineer. Harold will get keys to the Center School so that Stephen and the engineer can go inside.
Rosemary Waltos of the Mass Board of Library Commissioners (Ann Larson’s replacement) visited the Hatfield Library. She used words such as “deplorable” and “unacceptable working conditions”. According to Rosemary, there will possibly be a round of construction grants in January 2010. If so, libraries have until summer 2010 to submit their final plan. Rosemary sees no reason for LFNAC to go to Town Meeting before the construction grant round is announced.
The Committee debated the pros and cons of presenting the final plan at Town Meeting in May 2009. We should have completed site selection by early February. Exactly why are we going to Town Meeting in 2009? What are we asking the town? What will the warrant say? Many members want to report our results and get a feel for the sentiment for a new library. If it is not favorable, that gives us a year to market the idea.
Wording of the warrant is very important. The warrant will ask the town to accept the LFNAC report, give the committee permission to proceed with the project, and to apply for grants. We are not requesting funding at this point, although since the library will be open to all town residents, we expect the town to pay a portion of the building costs. We also expect to get approximately 50% (maybe a little more) of the building costs from the state and to raise a lot of money privately.
MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: To ask for a “placeholder” for a warrant at Town Meeting.
MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: LFNAC requests the Library Trustees to begin the fundraising process. LFNAC will help with presentations.
We need to plan educational programs, forums, meetings, promotional materials, etc.
We will mount the categories of the matrix and the resulting graph on the LFNAC blog. [Harold supplied the materials and Dodie imported the graphic into the blog, but it was too small to read. Harold will see if he can make the graphics larger.]
Sheila has distributed spiral bound copies of the Building Program to Selectboard members and will also give a copy to Louise Slysz.
LFNAC would like to meet with the Historical Commission to discuss the new library vis a vis the museum space. HC meets at the end of January.
Harold will go to the next meeting of the Center School group to learn what’s happening that may have an impact on LFNAC’s plans.
Our next meeting is Monday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library. Stephen Hale will attend this meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:59 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dodie Gaudet, Secretary
Present: Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams
Absent: Martin Antonetti, Milton Howard
We reviewed the matrix again and made some adjustments. The final rankings remained the same: the top two sites are a new building near Dickinson and an addition/renovation to Dickinson; a new building near Smith Academy is in the middle; the two bottom choices are renovation of the Center School and addition/renovation of a portion of Town Hall.
Stephen Hale is coming to Hatfield on Monday, January 19 to view more closely the buildings that could possibly be renovated for a new library. He will be accompanied by an engineer. Harold will get keys to the Center School so that Stephen and the engineer can go inside.
Rosemary Waltos of the Mass Board of Library Commissioners (Ann Larson’s replacement) visited the Hatfield Library. She used words such as “deplorable” and “unacceptable working conditions”. According to Rosemary, there will possibly be a round of construction grants in January 2010. If so, libraries have until summer 2010 to submit their final plan. Rosemary sees no reason for LFNAC to go to Town Meeting before the construction grant round is announced.
The Committee debated the pros and cons of presenting the final plan at Town Meeting in May 2009. We should have completed site selection by early February. Exactly why are we going to Town Meeting in 2009? What are we asking the town? What will the warrant say? Many members want to report our results and get a feel for the sentiment for a new library. If it is not favorable, that gives us a year to market the idea.
Wording of the warrant is very important. The warrant will ask the town to accept the LFNAC report, give the committee permission to proceed with the project, and to apply for grants. We are not requesting funding at this point, although since the library will be open to all town residents, we expect the town to pay a portion of the building costs. We also expect to get approximately 50% (maybe a little more) of the building costs from the state and to raise a lot of money privately.
MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: To ask for a “placeholder” for a warrant at Town Meeting.
MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: LFNAC requests the Library Trustees to begin the fundraising process. LFNAC will help with presentations.
We need to plan educational programs, forums, meetings, promotional materials, etc.
We will mount the categories of the matrix and the resulting graph on the LFNAC blog. [Harold supplied the materials and Dodie imported the graphic into the blog, but it was too small to read. Harold will see if he can make the graphics larger.]
Sheila has distributed spiral bound copies of the Building Program to Selectboard members and will also give a copy to Louise Slysz.
LFNAC would like to meet with the Historical Commission to discuss the new library vis a vis the museum space. HC meets at the end of January.
Harold will go to the next meeting of the Center School group to learn what’s happening that may have an impact on LFNAC’s plans.
Our next meeting is Monday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library. Stephen Hale will attend this meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:59 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dodie Gaudet, Secretary
Monday, January 19, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
LFNAC Minutes – December 20, 2008
The Library Facilities Needs Assessment Committee met at the Hatfield Public Library at 9:08 a.m.
Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Milton Howard, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams
Also: Rick Martin, Secretary of both the Historical Society and Historical Commission
The first order of business was how best to incorporate the Historical Society Collection into a new library.
Rick thanked LFNAC for the work it has been doing. The Historical Society is interested in taking over the entire Dickinson Building if the Library vacates it. If the project turns out to be an add/reno, the Historical Soc. wants to be part of the new facility. HS ideally wants to double the space it has and is willing to pursue grants to help fund its portion of the construction; HS has money for matching grants. HS will not voluntarily accept less space than it currently has.
Issues that were discussed: Library will be doing lots of fundraising. Are members of the Hist. Soc willing to participate? If Library takes over the entire building, what happens to the HS? If the Library vacates Dickinson, and the HS takes over, this is a “change of use” and must be upgraded to meet ADA requirements. If Library vacates, can HS afford to maintain entire building? LFNAC does not want to be responsible for having another vacant town building. Rick insisted that HS will find a way to maintain Dickinson. Said that ideally HS wants the original part of the building (i.e. the two front rooms and the attic) and hopes the museum would be open more hours. There are people willing to volunteer if they have a specific project. There are some people in town that expect the Library and Museum to co-exist. HS will support LFNAC’s recommendation and work with it.
Town sentiment seems to vary widely as to the best location for the Library. Some think the Library should stay in the original portion of Dickinson plus a new addition and that the Museum should be located in the new addition. Others like the idea of moving the Library to the Center School. Other ideas have also been expressed to different committee members.
The Historical Society is scheduled to meet in February. LFNAC needs more specific information from all of the officers before its next meeting on January 5. Rick will telephone other officers and perhaps have a conference call.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To accept the minutes of the previous meeting on December 6.
There was some discussion about the two Catholic churches merging, leaving a vacant building near the center of town. The decision as to which church will be used will be made by the Bishop likely after LFNAC has completed its work. Committee members decided the vacant church is not a viable option due to timing.
Stephen Hale arrived. At 10:15.
The first task is site selection since any plans will be based on the site. There are 5 possible sites:
1. Add/reno to Dickinson
2. Reno to Center School
3. Add/reno to Town Hall (not enough space for a separate new building)
4. New building near Smith Academy
5. New building near Dickinson
Stephen passed out a Site Analysis Matrix that he had compiled based on information he had gathered so far. The Matrix lists several criteria, rates each one and then assigned points for each to the 5 possible sites. This will give us an objective way to compare the sites. The sooner we can eliminate some sites, the more money we’ll have to put into the design of a preferred site. We reviewed the Matrix and made some adjustments. We will finalize the Matrix, except for engineering aspects, at our next meeting.
Stephen had also prepared a spreadsheet of an earlier version of our Building Program and made some suggestions. The spreadsheet is a good way to help visualize the spaces in relation to each other.
Sheila has not yet had the Building Program copied because she is still having some formatting problems. Harold and Martin will make another attempt to resolve the formatting and then the Program will be copied and distributed. The problems are not major, but are annoying (extra row in a table, extra space that refuses to be eliminated).
Next meeting: Monday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 11:36 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dodie Gaudet, Secretary
Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Milton Howard, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams
Also: Rick Martin, Secretary of both the Historical Society and Historical Commission
The first order of business was how best to incorporate the Historical Society Collection into a new library.
Rick thanked LFNAC for the work it has been doing. The Historical Society is interested in taking over the entire Dickinson Building if the Library vacates it. If the project turns out to be an add/reno, the Historical Soc. wants to be part of the new facility. HS ideally wants to double the space it has and is willing to pursue grants to help fund its portion of the construction; HS has money for matching grants. HS will not voluntarily accept less space than it currently has.
Issues that were discussed: Library will be doing lots of fundraising. Are members of the Hist. Soc willing to participate? If Library takes over the entire building, what happens to the HS? If the Library vacates Dickinson, and the HS takes over, this is a “change of use” and must be upgraded to meet ADA requirements. If Library vacates, can HS afford to maintain entire building? LFNAC does not want to be responsible for having another vacant town building. Rick insisted that HS will find a way to maintain Dickinson. Said that ideally HS wants the original part of the building (i.e. the two front rooms and the attic) and hopes the museum would be open more hours. There are people willing to volunteer if they have a specific project. There are some people in town that expect the Library and Museum to co-exist. HS will support LFNAC’s recommendation and work with it.
Town sentiment seems to vary widely as to the best location for the Library. Some think the Library should stay in the original portion of Dickinson plus a new addition and that the Museum should be located in the new addition. Others like the idea of moving the Library to the Center School. Other ideas have also been expressed to different committee members.
The Historical Society is scheduled to meet in February. LFNAC needs more specific information from all of the officers before its next meeting on January 5. Rick will telephone other officers and perhaps have a conference call.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To accept the minutes of the previous meeting on December 6.
There was some discussion about the two Catholic churches merging, leaving a vacant building near the center of town. The decision as to which church will be used will be made by the Bishop likely after LFNAC has completed its work. Committee members decided the vacant church is not a viable option due to timing.
Stephen Hale arrived. At 10:15.
The first task is site selection since any plans will be based on the site. There are 5 possible sites:
1. Add/reno to Dickinson
2. Reno to Center School
3. Add/reno to Town Hall (not enough space for a separate new building)
4. New building near Smith Academy
5. New building near Dickinson
Stephen passed out a Site Analysis Matrix that he had compiled based on information he had gathered so far. The Matrix lists several criteria, rates each one and then assigned points for each to the 5 possible sites. This will give us an objective way to compare the sites. The sooner we can eliminate some sites, the more money we’ll have to put into the design of a preferred site. We reviewed the Matrix and made some adjustments. We will finalize the Matrix, except for engineering aspects, at our next meeting.
Stephen had also prepared a spreadsheet of an earlier version of our Building Program and made some suggestions. The spreadsheet is a good way to help visualize the spaces in relation to each other.
Sheila has not yet had the Building Program copied because she is still having some formatting problems. Harold and Martin will make another attempt to resolve the formatting and then the Program will be copied and distributed. The problems are not major, but are annoying (extra row in a table, extra space that refuses to be eliminated).
Next meeting: Monday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 11:36 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dodie Gaudet, Secretary
Saturday, December 27, 2008
LFNAC Minutes – December 6, 2008
The Library Facilities Needs Assessment Committee met at the Hatfield Public Library at 10:06 a.m.
Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Milton Howard, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To accept the minutes of the previous meeting on November 8.
Harold reported on his trip to visit the Brewster and Dennis public libraries.
We need surveys of all of the properties that Stephen Hale will look at for a possible new library. There already are some that we can use.
Town Hall and surrounding area– needs updating
Smith Academy area
Dickinson Building and surrounding area
Center School - available
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To hire Harold Eaton to conduct needed surveys.
We need to make a payment to Stephen Hale, but first need an invoice from him.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To pay Stephen Hale on receipt of an invoice.
There was discussion on the Historical Society materials in the attic. We do not want to needlessly cause problems for the Historical Society. It’s important that we maintain communications with officers and get their input. Martin suggested a “Statement of Principles” on how we intend to incorporate the historical museum (or not). There is a lot of support in town for the Historical Society and it would be unwise to leave them stranded. There would be some advantages to having the historical collection as part of the library, but it is important that library services are not hampered or disrupted by its presence.
The Historical Commission is meeting Tuesday, December 9. Lynn and Martin will raise the topic and invite the Historical Commission and Historical Society to meet with LFNAC at 9:00 on Saturday, December 20.
We received written acceptance from the MBLC for our Building Program. The consultant suggested adding a second, small conference room that could also be used as a study room.
Sheila reported on a conference she attended earlier in the week. Title: Going Green. She learned that it is not more expensive to build a green building. Technology is cheaper than it was just a few years ago. All of the presenters said it is worth the cost to become LEED certified. Doing so also sets a standard in the community.
Sheila researched prices for copying and binding the Building Program.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To spend approximately $100 for 20 copies of the Building Program to be copied and bound with a spiral binding.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To pay Sheila for the extra hours she has worked on this project through October 31.
Next meeting: Saturday, December 20. We will meet with the Historical Commission and Historical Society officers at 9:00 and with Stephen Hale at 10:00.
Meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dodie Gaudet, Secretary
Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Milton Howard, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To accept the minutes of the previous meeting on November 8.
Harold reported on his trip to visit the Brewster and Dennis public libraries.
We need surveys of all of the properties that Stephen Hale will look at for a possible new library. There already are some that we can use.
Town Hall and surrounding area– needs updating
Smith Academy area
Dickinson Building and surrounding area
Center School - available
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To hire Harold Eaton to conduct needed surveys.
We need to make a payment to Stephen Hale, but first need an invoice from him.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To pay Stephen Hale on receipt of an invoice.
There was discussion on the Historical Society materials in the attic. We do not want to needlessly cause problems for the Historical Society. It’s important that we maintain communications with officers and get their input. Martin suggested a “Statement of Principles” on how we intend to incorporate the historical museum (or not). There is a lot of support in town for the Historical Society and it would be unwise to leave them stranded. There would be some advantages to having the historical collection as part of the library, but it is important that library services are not hampered or disrupted by its presence.
The Historical Commission is meeting Tuesday, December 9. Lynn and Martin will raise the topic and invite the Historical Commission and Historical Society to meet with LFNAC at 9:00 on Saturday, December 20.
We received written acceptance from the MBLC for our Building Program. The consultant suggested adding a second, small conference room that could also be used as a study room.
Sheila reported on a conference she attended earlier in the week. Title: Going Green. She learned that it is not more expensive to build a green building. Technology is cheaper than it was just a few years ago. All of the presenters said it is worth the cost to become LEED certified. Doing so also sets a standard in the community.
Sheila researched prices for copying and binding the Building Program.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To spend approximately $100 for 20 copies of the Building Program to be copied and bound with a spiral binding.
MOVED, SECONDED and VOTED: To pay Sheila for the extra hours she has worked on this project through October 31.
Next meeting: Saturday, December 20. We will meet with the Historical Commission and Historical Society officers at 9:00 and with Stephen Hale at 10:00.
Meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dodie Gaudet, Secretary
Thursday, December 11, 2008
LFNAC UPDATE December 2008
We have a Building Program!
Written by Director Sheila McCormick with input from LFNAC members, the Building Program is a description of Hatfield including demographic information; a description of the current library, its assets and its deficiencies; and a description of the best library for Hatfield incorporating square footage for different service areas, types of furniture, shelving, and work space. The Building Program was approved by the Board of Trustees and by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Copies are available at Town Hall and the Library.
We have an Architect!
We have selected Stephen Hale of Hale Associates, Boston, Mass. to work with us on the feasibility study. He will look at our current building, the Center School, the space between Dickinson Memorial and the Elementary School, and space near Smith Academy. Together, we will assess the possibilities of all sites and hope to have a recommendation to bring to Town Meeting in May. Be assured that there will be plenty of opportunities for Hatfield residents to comment throughout the process.
LFNAC consists of eight members: Library Director Sheila McCormick; Harold Green, Chair; Historical Commission Liaison Lynn Omasta, Vice-Chair; Library Trustee Dodie Gaudet, Secretary; Martin Antonetti; Susan Gaughan; Milton Howard; and Mary Williams.
The work of this Committee is funded through a $40,000 grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $8,000 from the Friends of Hatfield Library, $4,000 from Hatfield Library Funds and $8,000 from the town of Hatfield, approved at the May 2007 Town meeting.
12/6/2008
Written by Director Sheila McCormick with input from LFNAC members, the Building Program is a description of Hatfield including demographic information; a description of the current library, its assets and its deficiencies; and a description of the best library for Hatfield incorporating square footage for different service areas, types of furniture, shelving, and work space. The Building Program was approved by the Board of Trustees and by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Copies are available at Town Hall and the Library.
We have an Architect!
We have selected Stephen Hale of Hale Associates, Boston, Mass. to work with us on the feasibility study. He will look at our current building, the Center School, the space between Dickinson Memorial and the Elementary School, and space near Smith Academy. Together, we will assess the possibilities of all sites and hope to have a recommendation to bring to Town Meeting in May. Be assured that there will be plenty of opportunities for Hatfield residents to comment throughout the process.
LFNAC consists of eight members: Library Director Sheila McCormick; Harold Green, Chair; Historical Commission Liaison Lynn Omasta, Vice-Chair; Library Trustee Dodie Gaudet, Secretary; Martin Antonetti; Susan Gaughan; Milton Howard; and Mary Williams.
The work of this Committee is funded through a $40,000 grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $8,000 from the Friends of Hatfield Library, $4,000 from Hatfield Library Funds and $8,000 from the town of Hatfield, approved at the May 2007 Town meeting.
12/6/2008
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