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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-16-PBC-min-v2.pdf PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 16, 2000 Present: Jay Lucker, Bill Kennedy, Walter Pierce, Sara Chase, Philip Poinelli, Erna Greene, Stephen Hale, Betty Eddison, Cynthia Johnson, Peter Kelley Stephen said that he had asked Sergio Siani to come address the meeting about the chiller, but Sergio did not show up. The informal meeting with the HDC is still scheduled for March 30 at 7:30. Walter suggested that the PBC meet prior to that to rehearse. Phil's strategy is to answer all the points raised in the HDC letter first, then address all the objections to the proposal for the entrance in the north east corner of the building, and finally hit the HDC with the fact that changes to the building program affect the state funding for the project, but Phil feels it is important to show that the proposal for the north east entrance was taken seriously and not just given lip service, which the joint response drafted by Carol and Jay clearly illustrates, The draft of this response was distributed to members of the committee for further comment. Phil did mention that it is possible to reinstate the tower and have an elevator to the main floor and the entrance there, but this would affect the agreement with the Douglasses. Stephen Hale outlined four things he wished to address in the meeting: 1. Discussion of the chiller 2. Cast stone facing 3. Ramp on Clarke Street 4. Revisit the HDC points that Phil, Peter, and Stephen examined Stephen then began by showing scheme 5 of the ramp on Clarke Street which would be composed of concrete with a large stones that match the existing fieldstone on the building, but he opened it up by placing a railing (which is required by code) on a blue stone cap. The slope of the ramp is made possible by raising the elevation of the base to make the grade between the ramp and the sidewalk 4%. This means that there will be one step less up to the main entrance than there was in the 1906 design. There was some discussion of the design, which everyone agreed was the best so far. Phil suggested that the front view of the ramp should not be shown at the HDC presentation and that the drawings of the side view be colored to show the softening greenery along the ramp. Sara agreed with this wholeheartedly. Stephen offered to show the computer model, but Jay Lucker said he thought the fewer views shown, the better off they would be especially without the stark look of the computer drawing. Walter also agreed that the drawings should be colored and that a drawing showing elevations should accompany it. Phil offered his take on the matter which is that the Town will not let the HDC get away with objections to the ramp and Betty concurred, adding that "steps are already being taken". There was then some discussion as to whether or not the HDC should be shown the other ramp options and it was decided that only number five would be shown. Stephen next spoke about the roof. The scheme at the last meeting had evolved so that the roof was a medium gray shingle on the historic part and copper on the rest. (copper is three times as expensive as asphalt shingle and it take 25 years for a patina to form) Stephen passed out a sample copper shingle. Phil voiced his strong opinion that the roof on the 1906 portion should be dealt with differently from the rest of the building (Walter and Sara agreed with this) and asked if the committee wanted to entertain the idea of restoring the red slate on the original building and have red asphalt shingles on the rest. Peter agreed with this idea but Walter preferred the idea of a total break between old and new and suggested red slate for the old and gray asphalt for the new. Peter and Phil, who had examined the roof in an effort to find some of the original slate, report that the roof sheathing is in perfect condition. There was discussion of the actual color of red slate and Stephen agreed to bring in a sample at the next meeting. Stephen and Sara both recommended red slate because a dark roof is so gloomy and Sara said that red slate is the most expensive slate, but it is possible to buy cheaper, salvaged slate. Everyone felt that even though Joanne Gschwendtner said that gray shingle is best, it would be difficult for the HDC to challenge a roofing material that is historically correct. Walter also asked Sara about putting back the copper finials and there was some discussion about the true color of the end caps on the beams. Peter will arrange for a ladder so Sara can establish the original color. The next topic was the stone. Stephen passed out a sample of Minnesota buff limestone as an alternative to the cast stone discussed at the previous meeting. and showed pictures of it on the Astra Medical building as an example. Prior to looking at the limestone, he had looked primarily at granite but he has aesthetic objections to granite because it is a very cool looking stone; however, Walter pointed out that granite absorbs less water and therefore would not appear so ratty looking when it rained. Stephen said that dolomitic limestone which he favored, is less absorbent than other limestones and he favors limestone because it has many of the colors present in the existing field stone. He then showed a final drawing of the outside of the building, which everyone liked and considered a great improvement over the previous drawings. Stephen had put heavy bands of blue stone between design elements and quieted down the fenestration. Phil liked the dormer and Stephen says that the dormer gives more natural light to the stairs and the elevator. He also said the new design makes the Director's office larger and an L shape instead of a square. It was suggested that the quarry from which Stephen procured the limestone sample send a range of colors for everyone to see. The only objection that the HDC had to stone was to a pre-cast stone so using limestone would address that. All agreed that the existing coloration scheme on the outside should remain the same. Walter still wanted to compare granite to limestone so Stephen agreed to request samples. The committee will select one from the samples of limestone and granite and show that to the HDC. Since Sergio did not appear, the discussion of the chiller progressed without him, but Stephen said Sergio had suggested bringing in an acoustics engineer to talk to the HDC. Phil asked about decibel ratings in case the HDC objected, but Walter and Sara both responded that the HDC has nothing to say about the chiller. Peter objected to the chiller's location in a hole by the sidewalk and asked about having several chillers distributed in other locations, but Stephen responded that it was easier to keep one big chiller quiet than several smaller ones. Peter raised the question of having to get a crane to put the chiller in, but was told that a crane is not needed. He also thought that maintenance would be difficult and did not like the look of a chiller on Clarke Street even if it is below ground. It was suggested that Stephen locate a chiller currently installed below ground so that everyone could look at it, but Phil pointed out that it has to go there because there are no realistic alternatives. Stephen will ask Bill Cavanaugh for a sound study of the chiller for the formal meeting with the HDC and he will also have Sergio call Peter to discuss the chiller further. Stephen has selected wooden windows for the old building (Durathane Tichler) with a Roycroft bottle green paint, and aluminum for the new with the same color and detailing as the windows in the old. Phil mentioned that the HDC will ask specifics on the eaves, the soffits, and the gutters such as materials and profiles. There was some discussion about the stucco. Stephen proposed two coats of stucco on backer board and Phil suggested having an acrylic coat as a top coat. Sara will research the original color of the paint on the stucco and Walter and Sara agreed that the joints between the fieldstone should be deep grap with %Z mortar joint. The meeting finished up with Stephen promising to procure samples of red slate tile and various colors of limestone and granite. He will ask Cavanaugh and Tocci for a sound study of the chiller. He will get information on the sofit and will have Sergio Siani call Peter to discuss the chiller.