Building Committee Minutes
7:00 PM August 27, 2009
Stoddard Town Hall
Members present: Penny Betz, Dick Briere, Lou Grandpre, Sandy Holland, P. J. Lamothe, Harry Power, Amy Rokoszak, Alan Rumrill, and David Vaillancourt
Absent: none
Attendees: Arnie Stymest, Dick Betz, Arlene DiCorcia
Dick Briere called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
The primary purpose of this meeting was to receive presentations from three architects on ideas for installation of a handicap accessible entrance to the Town Hall. The first presenter was Dan Scully, whose approach is to do a study and present the committee with three options. The option accepted by the committee would then be developed into construction drawings and specifications for going to bid with the contractor that would do the construction. His goal would be to return the Town Hall to its original state inasmuch as possible, to respect what we have. One suggestion Mr. Scully made was to consider re-grading the area between the two buildings. Amy Rokoszak told him our plans to install a furnace in the Gould House to serve both buildings, which he pronounced an excellent idea, and commented that the re-grade could be accomplished when installing the pipe. The promised schedule for development of the plans was well within the Committee’s expectations.
Malcolm Katz began his presentation at 8:45. His view was to improve the relationship of the Town Hall to the Gould House to create a cohesive “town center” and he presented his map for accomplishing that goal. He too remarked on what a “classic” Town Hall we have and how it should be historically restored and valued. He said that the window panes can be replaced with a different glass that is indistinguishable from what we have, but would reduce energy consumption considerably and allow us to get rid of the storm windows. He thinks the Town Hall and Gould House could be an “amazing complex” when all work is completed. Mr. Katz said he could work up a proposal for his work within a couple of days.
With a few minutes to spare before Hilary Harris was due to present, Dick Briere reported on his meeting with Engineer Ted Fellows, who looked under the Town Hall building to provide a second opinion on joist repair, ventilation, dampness, etc. He suggested that when we put in screened vents, we also have windows so that they can be closed off during the winter, thus conserving heat. His assessment of the roof was that there would be no problem removing the shingles and placing plywood before reroofing. He said the shed which shelters the oil tank should be removed as soon as possible to stop further deterioration to the building. He has worked with both Dan Scully and Malcolm Katz on a number of previous assignments.
Regarding the Gould House, Mr. Fellows commented that we are asking for problems if we don’t heat the Gould House for another winter. There is carpet on the basement floor of the Gould House which needs to be removed immediately as it is wet and keeping the house damp. He pronounced the building to be, “good, sound” and recommended keeping the current siding, just maintaining it and continuing to restore the building as necessary. It has been let go over the past few years. Mr. Fellows said it is apparent that the Gould House and the Town Hall are the Town Center and suggests that the town “stick with it and make it good”.
It was suggested that the Committee build a portfolio of all the opinions, plans, proposals, drawings, suggestions, etc. that we have received so that it is all in one package. Harry Power will bring the samples of clapboards that he has collected to our meeting on September 10th, as we will be meeting with the Jordan Institute for an energy audit/assessment on September 3rd, and that will likely be a two-hour meeting if not more. Several Committee members were assigned people to call for visits to get more information on heating/plumbing, painting and roofing.
Hilary Harris began her presentation at 8:30 and also addressed the grading between the two buildings and suggested the path/walkway be landscaped more appropriately. Her initial approach to providing handicap access would be on the left side of the building. She also felt the grading could be accomplished when the heating pipes are installed this fall. She thinks that the access is more of a grading/landscaping issue than a building issue. She provided a proposal for her work to accomplish conceptual plans but said that she would have to go to her employer for a number for the actual drawings and specifications. She can have that number when we meet next week.
The next meetings will be September 3rd, 10th and 24th.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Sandy Holland