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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 1 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 making more significant