Town of Stoddard, NH

Building Committee Minutes

7:00 PM January 7, 2010

Stoddard Town Hall

Members present: Penny Betz, Dick Briere, Lou GrandPré, Sandy Holland,

                                 Harry Power, Amy Rokoszak, Alan Rumrill, David Vaillancourt

Absent:                  P. J. Lamothe

Dick Briere called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

Chairman Dick Briere opened the meeting with comments on how we “backtracked” at our last meeting.  He stated that the Committee needs to decide – and get proposals – on what it is going to cost to renovate the Gould House into office space.  We have plans from the college and from an architect and a builder will be needed in both instances.  We need an architect to refine the information provided by KSC.  If we go with Mr. Monahon, we are looking at another $125K more to accomplish.  We need to do a lot of ripping out and rebuilding.  What do we want, an architect or a builder?  Are we going to tell Rod Parsons that we want to gut and rebuild?  Rod and Fred Mohr are currently working on refining their proposal for the work we indicated we wanted to consider.

Harry Power suggested that we give the public two proposals for the Gould House, one for the absolute basics, and another with amenities.  Amy Rokoszak asked if we are going to do it correctly, or should we have a five-year plan to accomplish the work in stages.  Harry Power iterated that there are basic things at the Gould House that must be addressed.  Amy Rokoszak stated we should tell the public all the things that are wrong with the Gould House and the Town Hall, present the entire picture regardless how it is paid for.  The Gould House has to be done in one piece.

Lou GrandPré stated that Dick Briere has been trying to get some consensus to make a decision.  Dick said that we have to do a pre-presentation to the public by mid-February.  We have +/- 800 registered voters in town, and there are nine of us.  Our job is to bring it to the voters.  While most of us are in favor of renovating the Gould House the voters will ultimately decide what will be done and when. 

Dick Briere said that this past Monday, water pipes had burst in the ladies’ room of Town Hall.  The boiler shut down long enough for the left (west) side of the building to freeze.  The furnace must be replaced in the coming year, and it would be wise to go with gas – eliminating the chimneys, tanks, storage shed, and it’s cleaner and cheaper.  The kitchen sink pipe doesn’t drain.  He authorized the plumber to cut the line, as it was the only way to resolve the issue.  The pipe goes uphill and ice was built up in it.  Heating, wiring, plumbing can be done incrementally, but for the moment we need to tell Rod to get us bids so we get a very close approximation what it will cost.  There was unanimous agreement that we should pursue with Rod.

Dick also reported that a few weeks previous, the door of the Gould House facing the parking lot had been left open.  When he discovered it, the furnace was churning away.  Also, lights have been left on in the basement and another time on the 2^nd floor.  He has changed the locks and feels it is now secure, but the appearance is that someone has been going into the building.

Returning to the subject of the public informational meeting, Harry Power noted that we will need handouts for attendees.  New construction will be presented as an option to renovating the Gould House.  All this Committee is going to do is provide the information, and the voters can vote in May on what they want to do.  This meeting will be advertised to obtain greater attendance and interest so that people go into Town Meeting knowing what to expect.  Dick Briere suggested we ask Casey Farrar, Sentinel reporter, to put something in the paper, and we can post notices at the stores and other town offices.  We should decide on a date and one alternate storm date.  Rod Parsons will be asked to come in to do a “dry run” of a presentation.

It was noted that the police station needs something, a trailer or an addition, more than what it has.  David Vaillancourt was asked to come up with a sketch/ idea for a 20’ x 12’ addition for the police station, something workable with the existing building and ADA compliant.  KSC did two proposals for the library that should be considered at some time.  Dick asked Lou if he would mind talking with the fire department to determine their priority needs.  The Fire Chief has said that some outside work and roof work need to be done, and had given Harry Power some numbers for the minimal amount of work discussed.  Harry Power noted that any new construction, additions, etc. after July 2010 must be ADA compliant.  An engineer or architect can certify compliance. 

Lou GrandPré said that we have hired Baybutt to do a job, we’ve put them on the spot, so let’s let them do what they were hired to do.  It was noted that Rod can meet with us on the 14^th or the 28^th. 

We need to check the school calendar as their budget hearing and annual school board meeting are coming up in the near future.  The next meetings are tentatively scheduled for January 14^th, 21^st and 28^th.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________

Sandy Holland