HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07-11-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Minutes of July 11 1995 Meeting with representatives of Cary Memorial
Library in the Library Oval Room, as approved January 24, 1996
The meeting was called to order by Chairman pro tem McCabe at 7 30 p m
with other committee members Bruckman, Edson, Johnson, School Committee
appointee Kennedy, and Library Trustees appointees Pierce (also Chairman
of the Library Building Committee, ) and Touart present Representing the
Library were Director Carol Mahoney, Reference Librarian Julie Triesl ,
Advisory Committee member Sara Chase and Secretary Carolyn Beckwith
Town Engineer Francis X Fields was also present
Pierce outlined the library's needs for more reference study areas ,
"wet" carrels and possibly some changes in the building's envelope and
entrances The library is the "cultural center" of the community, with
exhibits , readings and children' s programs Lacking are space for large
gatherings and parking for their vehicles In the forthcoming state
reimbursement program for library expansion and renovations , there will
be no funding for work needed due to deferred maintenance Director
Mahoney referred to evolving long-range plans to take the library into
the 21st century
Interview I Galliher Baier and Best Architects Norman Baier and
Kenneth Best as well as engineer Mark Luchini , P E of Chelmsford
represented the firm, noting recent projects in Avon and Weston They
called for better signs and noted the problems associated with keeping
the library open and keeping patrons informed during all phases of the
project and need to protect the building and its occupants and contents
protected during work
Town Engineer Fields asked about support people Engineer Luchini
commented that the space between the ceiling and roof would be good for
heating, ventilating and air conditioning work Libraries in Newton and
Weston now make ice at night for daytime cooling
The architects gave some thoughts about issues presented by the current
building, particularly approaches to it Fields asked about ADA
compliance and sprinkler requirements Architects spoke about
flexibility in program and building to accommodate changes in
technology Among other library projects of the firm Hollis NH and
Duxbury The Weston project began in 1989 When asked about
Lexington' s proposed schedule, the architects responded that four months
in our town would be adequate time for preparation of schematic plans
Interview II Amsler Woodhouse MacLean Architects Inc Partners Gail
Woodhouse and Thomas Amsler told about their 20-year firm of "studio
size" For the most part the firm has operated in academic settings ,
but has performed a variety of projects in the past eight years They
have worked on libraries in Tewksbury, Kingston and Wareham as well as
on renovating at Harvard University They showed pictures of old and
new buildings and how original architectural features were used in
renovation
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PBC Minutes 7/11/95 - Page 2
Their engineers are Abbood/Holloran Associates , who specialize in
renovations at places such as Harvard and MIT They work to make
systems serve the functions of the space they occupy and that controls
are simple Engineers must be responsive to architects
Amsler and Woodhouse saw challenge in areas of the library along Clarke
Street they described as currently underutilized They questioned the
historic significance of the library' s Massachusetts Avenue entrance,
sorely in need of better accessibility for physically challenged people
They would reconsider the stack area and think carefully about future
utilities needs The firm uses professional estimators In their
Tewksbury project the building cost was $150/square foot Noting their
concern that their clients understand all aspects of the project , they
expressed satisfaction with Lexington's 4-month schedule for preliminary
plans
At the 10 10 p m conclusion of the Amsler-Woodhouse presentation, the
committee agreed that each of the three next interviews should last
about one hour Meeting adjourned at 10 18 p m until Wednesday, July
12 , 1995 at 7 p m
Respectfully submitted,
Erna S Greene, Secretary
to the Permanent Building Committee F
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