(Editor's note: The following letter was set to Town Meeting Members. The tour has since been made available to ALL Shrewsbury residents.)
To the Editor:—
Dear Town Meeting Member,
The Board of Selectmen has voted to call a Special Town Meeting this fall to ask Town Meeting Members to consider the Shrewsbury Public Library Building Project. We invite you to take the “Behind the Scenes” Tour of the Library so that you can make an informed decision about this important capital project.
Tours will be held during September and October every:
- Monday at 7pm,
- Wednesday at 1pm,
- Saturday at 10am, or
- by appointment.
For more information about the project or to watch the August 31st presentation to the Board of Selectmen by the Library Trustees go to www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/library.
If you have any questions please call Library Trustee Chair Laurie Hogan at 508-754-2344.
——
The Committee of Shrewsbury Library Supporters
37 comments:
I hope all of my fellow town meeting members make time for this eye-opening tour. It is only an hour long and it will reveal to you the unacceptable conditions of our library. Much of the damage experienced by the library is due to the shoddy construction of its addition built a couple of decades ago. The adage you get what you pay for applies in this case and hopefully we will not make the same mistake twice.
The library is truly a jewel in this community and should be treated as such. At the special town meeting this November, town meeting members will be asked to consider the library's building project. In order to cast an informed vote, all TMMs must take this tour.
A special thanks to all the knowledgeable library volunteers conducting these tours.
Hi Mark
Normally your letters to the editor have to have a name on them to be published. Do you have any names to go with the "Committee of Shrewsbury Library Supporters"? It might help your readers to know who is on this committee and how we can learn more about it.
Thanks.
I am a Town Meeting Member in Precinct 8 and I have not yet received the above letter, via Email or by U.S. Mail. Does anyone know when/how the letter was sent out?
I have taken the behind-the-scenes tour and fully support the library project. This work is long overdue.
Thank you.
Was there a clerk of the works on this project and if so why would they allow poor workmanship? Why was the town foolosih enough to accept a building/addition that was constucted improperly? Could this happen again? If so why should I be in favor of another project.
The letter was sent by Laurie Hogan. Should you wish to learn more, I suggest you contact her at the phone number provided in the letter.
Please take the library tour and have some fun. As a preview, here's some questions and the answers you'll hear.
1. How big will the new library be? Almost double the existing size. We need to be ready for the huge library crowds of 2025. No sense waiting until the last minute.
2. Where will people park as the lot is so small. They will park behind the church. This way they can say a little prayer before trying to cross the Indianapolis 500.
3. Why do we need a new 150 seat room- even the Worcester Public Library doesn't have anything that big. If you build it, they will come.
4. How many extra staff will we have to hire? Even though the size is almost double, we're telling everyone that we only need to add one part time person. (wink) Let's just build it and talk about that stuff later.
5. How much extra operating cost will there be? We know the town is struggling to make ends meet, so our prediction is a total of 17% more for heating, electric, cleaning, etc. This numbers defies all reason for a building almost twice as big as the old building, but we'll say anything. We need your vote.
6. Aren't libraries becoming obsolete with the internet and e-books? Of course they are, that's why we're increasing our toy collection in the children's room! We're adding DVDs and Play Station game cartridges for our patrons. We're also putting in more computers so teens can check e-mail. Books are so... old fashioned!
7. OMG, there is so much water damage, what happened? As you can see it's been going on for many years. If we fixed the problems, who would want to build Taj Ma-Library? Instead we keep saying the leaks are unfixable due to 'design problems'. (another wink and a smile)
8. How much is the cost? We want $12 million of taxpayer money for the demolition/replacement. or for $4 to 6 million, we can do all the repairs and replace the boiler. We'll have a nice building for decades, but we want don't want repairs and a new boiler, we want a new, big building, damn it. Am holding breath until the town says yes... town? TOWN? TOWN!?!?!!
To the 9:27 post - You are mean spirited. You imply that the library supporters are lying about the project to sway voters. That is untrue and just another ploy from the "we vote NO on everything" crowd to muddy the waters with misinformation. Shame on you.
The 9:27 poster isn't just mean spirited, it's just plain WRONG!! Don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant, right?! Obvious this individual would rather spread mistruths than to read (yeah, you could do that at the library) the volumes of documents readily available that explain why and how this project was deemed necessary and appropriate.
P.S..the current large meeting room at the library seats 150...the meeting room at the Senior Center 200...a NONISSUE
Everyone agrees that the library needs some work. The library is used by Shrewsbury residents of all ages. Town meeting should pass this decision onto the voters and let the voters decide via a prop 2 1/2 debt exclusion.
What a creative fiction writer is that ranter. Furious George one of the first blog writers is alive and well and still writing or should we say ranting.
FYI, every number in the posting came from the library web site. You may not like the facts, but they are the facts.
The library proposal should be defeated by town meeting members. Instead, town meeting members should direct the library to prepare a repair plan.
You can get your numbers from whatever reputable source you want. Numbers skewed out of context with misleading text are meaningless. They are nothing better than lies. That rant is meaningless, without merit and an insult to all those folks working their tails off on this project.
To the poster on Sept. 22 at 9:27pm -
Thank you for taking the tour and formulating your own opinion. That is exactly what I wish everyone would do -- take the tour, ask questions, and then decide for yourself what is best for our town.
Your comments focus exclusively on negative aspects of the proposed project and do so in a cynical, unpleasant fashion. Also, you completely ignore existing concerns about handicap access. A rational, balanced discussion would be more productive and would benefit our town.
Most of your 8 points tell only one side of the story, so here is my attempt to provide a meaningful counterpoint. (Divided into two posts.)
1. Library use continues to go up dramatically and the size of the current building (25,500 sq. ft.) was undersized for our 1980 population when the addition was built almost 30 years ago. The proposed plan, which would replace the poorly designed 1979 addition, would result in a library of about 46,000 sq. ft. and is designed to meet the needs of our community for a long time. Advances in technology have not eliminated the need or desire for library services.
2. Parking is inadequate – no question about it. However, you neglected to mention some of the plans to improve it. There are plans to increase the number of parking spots by 35% simply by reconfiguring the lot and utilizing space that currently is not usable. Also, there are plans to develop alternative parking for patrons and staff that would not involve crossing any streets. (For more information on parking, see question #6 of the Building Project FAQs on the town’s website.)
3. As for why we need a 150 seat capacity room at the library, here is some additional information. Currently, there is only one room (capacity of 125) at the library that is suitable for larger gatherings and for all library programs. The room is used constantly and is in great demand. The proposed room, while a bit larger than the current room, would be dividable into two smaller spaces, allowing much more flexibility (similar to the 200 seat capacity room at the Senior Center, which divides into 120 and 80 seats).
4. You imply that a larger building must require far more staff than the projected one part-time person, which is what our library director has stated. Her projection is based upon an actual analysis – not a mere guess for the sake of getting voter support. The proposed building is designed to eliminate many of the inefficiencies that exist in the current building with respect to staff utilization. The use of technology and space for users to check out materials and to do many services on their own helps reduce the need for more staff, too. (For more details, see question # 12 of the Building FAQs.)
5. The projected operating costs for the proposed building are difficult to estimate because there are so many factors that we can’t know in advance. What we do know is that the current building systems are extremely wasteful and inefficient. It’s an all-electric heating and air conditioning system that is failing, undersized, expensive to repair, and parts often are unavailable. (For more details about operating cost projections, see question #18 of the Building FAQs.)
[COUNTERPOINT RESPONSE CONTINUED ON ANOTHER POST]
To the poster on Sept. 22 at 9:27PM -
***** PART TWO OF COUNTERPOINT RESPONSE ******
6. You ask, “Aren’t libraries becoming obsolete with the internet and e-books?” Since 7 out of 10 residents are ACTIVE library users in our town, I am guessing that many people do not see the library as obsolete. While many of us have computers at home, there are some who do not. Technology is a good complement to other library materials. It is one more means of having access to information. Many of the computer users at the library are adults and they aren’t just checking email. In some cases, they are accessing materials that aren’t available any other way and in other cases the online resources are a supplement to the reference materials and books. Libraries aren’t just about books, although the circulation numbers relating to books continue to grow dramatically at our library and at all libraries (as seen by published statistics from various sources). (Question #13 of the Building FAQs provides more on this topic.)
7. You imply that someone has said that the water problems with the building are unfixable. That is completely false. The problems are fixable. They will cost the town a significant amount of money and those major capital repairs will trigger compliance with handicap access laws (adding a great deal more to the cost). By taking that path, we would end up with a building that is less functional and even more undersized than it is currently. The 1979 addition was built on the cheap. The design problems were apparent even before it opened. There were legal battles over it. Over the years the trustees have tried to get the problems resolved, calling in contractors to obtain opinions and arranging for repairs when possible. The advice has been consistent – the flat roof design where the buildings connect, the poor drainage from the parking lot, the leaky skylights and ground water infiltration are factors that make fixing things complicated and expensive. Also, fixing the water problems does not solve any of the other problems – failed heating and cooling systems, handicap access, lack of sufficient space for users, etc. – to name just a few. The list of other issues is very long. (See question # 8 in the Building FAQs for a more comprehensive listing of building challenges by category.)
8. It seems to me that spending approximately $12 million to resolve all the library building issues for the long term makes good fiscal sense. Spending approximately $6 million to fix some of the most pressing problems and having a building that is less functional doesn’t make much sense to me. I favor long-term solutions and I’m not looking to spend more money then we have to on any project.
I am a fiscal conservative; some might even call me cheap – I prefer the term frugal. I love this town, have lived here for over 25 years, and have raised two children here. I believe that having a good, solid library is important for our community, and I have made a personal commitment in the form of a monetary pledge to the building campaign. I urge others to do the same and together we can provide a welcoming library in the center of town that serves ALL of the people in our community from infants to seniors for many generations to come.
"I am a fiscal conservative."
Thanks for the humor!
Rather than re-hash all the reasons why Taj Ma-Library is such a bad idea, let's talk about why the 'repairs only' plan is so much better.
1. The ADA upgrades are not required when the repairs are less than $500,000. We will do the job in phases and save the price of a new ADA elevator. This will lower the overall repair price considerably.
2. Repairs can be done without an override, especially if spread out. The Town should have done them done long ago!
3. If the town decides to not fund the library in the future due to budget problems, we won't be stuck with a huge, empty building.
4. The cost of heat, utilities and staffing will be much lower than with a building that is nearly twice as big.
5. We can still introduce technology including automated checkout and more computers.
6. If we send all the civic groups to the senior center or to the schools for their meetings, we can take over the big meeting room upstairs and we'll have more room for library things.
7. Also, if we get rid of the things no one uses or that shouldn't be in a library, we'll have more room. (think toys, game cartridges. old books and the many VHS tapes that are obsolete)
8. We can still ask for donations to help get the repairs done.
9. Without the library project, taxpayers will be more willing to vote for Sherwood!
to the poster on 5:42
sounds like we are just being cheap once again. haven't we learned anything from the past.
as to your points
1. I appreciate your affection for those who benefit from ADA.
3. we wont be stuck with a huge empty building .... ah hello since when was the librbary going to turn into a huge empty building.
6. send all the civic groups to schools and senior center... presuming they have time and space to accomadate?
8. we can get donations....sure as long as its not on my dime mentatlity.
The senior center is very selective about who they allow to use their building for meetings. It concerns me as we all "Pay" for this building, but god forbid they allow anyone in who isn't a senior. Seems pretty selfish to me.
Unless you're the Shrewsbury Boy Scouts or some other recognized Shrewsbury group, the library charges $50/hr to use their meeting room.
There are 5 separate meeting rooms at the Senior Center and there is no fee, however contributions are appreciated. Being a senior is not a requirement.
Senior Center,
Last Night 9/24/2009 - There was a yoga class, not just for seniors, and the police were using the center for a training session last night.
Just thought I'd like some true facts presented in regards to senior center use.
I will not comment on the validity of the project, as the Finance Committee has not yet voted. I will dispute untruths which fall into my expertise as a General Contractor though.
I believe I corrected the person above when they said there are no hazardous materials at Sherwood, so here we go again...
"1. The ADA upgrades are not required when the repairs are less than $500,000. We will do the job in phases and save the price of a new ADA elevator. This will lower the overall repair price considerably."
Massachusetts Building Code is not bound by the ADA, but has adopted the Architectural Barriers Board. ABB notes that when Additions and Alterations exceed 30% (in any three year period)of the fair market value of a building which is open to the public, the entire structure must be made accessible. The ABB however defers to ADA in Buildings which "...serve a public accomodation".
The American with Disabilities Act requires that the keepers of all such buildings have a plan in place such that a reasonable accomodation may be made to ensure equal access to all goods and services provided in that facility. This is why every hotel room needn't be accessible, but that a sufficient number be provided to ensure equal accomodations.
The problem with the library is that there are very many areas which are unnaccessible, and in those areas a unique srvice is provided. These areas include the teen room, the public meeting room, the periodicals room, bathrooms on various floors, the elevator itself (door not wide enough, inadequate approach clearences, buttons too high, etc.), and employee break and office areas are also not accessible.
I'm assuming that the $500,000 figure above was pulled out of someone's posterior, as I am not familiar with any such regulatory figure.
That is all beside the point though. I hope that the person posting above never finds themselves disabled. Better yet, let him or her be the one who volunteers to stand at the front of the library to tell people "Hey!...You!...Yah the kid in the wheelchair!...SCREW!"
My experience with trying to reserve a room at the Senior Center is that evenings are not available unless the Center is already open for another purpose. It is not generally open in the evening.
Schools do have plenty of meeting places but the organization reserving the room (in most instances) has to pay a fee for the services of a custodian to be on the premises for securing the building following the organization's meeting.
So, for in-town groups, the Library has been the most welcoming, easy to schedule and no-fee option, for both daytime AND evening requests. It is a fantastic community service that is widely used and will be needed in the future.
John Masiello, have you ever been in the library??
The Library is indeed accessible by wheelchair. There are handicap accessible restrooms. There is an elevator that can take wheelchairs to all three floors including the meeting room. The insinuation that a kid in a wheelchair has no access is untrue and disingenuous on your part.
That is not to say there are no issues. For some reason, the library put the C/W MARS monitors on high tables. You need to stand to use them. Also while the elevator is big enough for regular wheel chairs to turn around inside, the new, big wheelchairs can't. However, they do fit.
There are other issues as well, but handicapped people can and do enjoy our library.
That said, the statute is clear. If the town spends more than 30% of a buildings value on repairs(the library is worth about $900,000) over 3 years, then it must be brought up to code- end of the handicapped discussion.
However, there is plenty of discussion left about whether the town can afford a new library, a new middle school, increased payments on the Allen property and an upcoming renovation to the Police station. As a Finance Committee person, what are you doing to protect the people that can't afford all of that?
Also, there is plenty of discussion about ways to reduce the library construction cost, whether it be for repairs or reconstruction. As a general contractor, what are you doing about that?
It's time to ditch the wise guy remarks, and come up with ways to help the town's pocketbook.
The elevator can not handle the newer scooter type wheel chairs and those types of chairs where the person is semi reclining(rather long). The corner at the bottom is extremely hard to navigate with a small baby stroller so it must be impossible in one of those wheel chairs. Also one of the meeting room upstairs is not accessible. The former director could not even use the restrooms in the library of which she nurtured all those years. Also many of those workspaces are so cramped it is certainly not capable of accommodating a handicapped employee.
And what about those mold issues? Many insurance cos. will not even cover mold issues anymore for damage. And I am not even going to go into the health issues associated with certain kinds of mold and potential workers comp. or lawsuits.
A wheelchair cannot navigate the Childrens
room and a wheelchair cannot reach the Teen
Lounge on the mezzanine. I'm not sure
about the young adult room on the 1st
floor. It's a shame that we are fighting
about doing what's RIGHT to make the
library open and welcoming to ALL
residents of Shrewsbury.
I would be happy to walk through the library with you and a tape measure, and demonstrate the miriad of ways that the library is not acccessible.
Or, better yet, John, the anonymous commenter could actually attend one of the Library tours.
Do they serve food and apps at the tour, we had pizza, coffee and cookies at the Fire Station, and Historical Society on Saturday. I know the Society is private funding, but who paid for 20 pizzas at the Fire station?
Maybe charge $5 for the tour....less to raise in Taxes.
Maybe Masiello should go on the tour so he could see that the elevator goes up to the meeting room.
Folks, the issue is not about water damage and the issue is not about compliance to the latest handicap requirements.
The issue is about COST. The vocal minority on this blog want the town to tear down most of the existing library and replace it with one that's too big. The majority want to fix the leaks and comply with the handicap requirements in the most cost effecient manner.
Masiello offers no ways to improve cost. Instead he wants to show us how he can use a tape measure. WOW, that would surely impress us all.
I thought finance guys were supposed to know SOMETHING about finance.
Anonymous at 6:04, don't bite the commenters. Especially if they have the courage to put their names on and you don't. Trust me— it doesn't help your argument.
I would have gladly rejected the comment, but it shows everyone how angry and mean you are.
And besides, John's got a thick skin. Uh… right, John?
"I would have gladly rejected the comment, but it shows everyone how angry and mean you are."
Well... he started it. (grin)
Ya gotta admit, it sure spices up the blog.
This writer is cool with cynical sarcasm, but felt Mr. Masiello took it too far with the kid in the wheelchair remark.
You wear the stripes, Mark, so the fight is officially over.
The child in the wheelchair was my comment, I wanted to point out the handicap issue covers all demographics, and it is a shame they can't access all parts of the library. It is easy to confuse John and myself, now that I am getting facial hair.
It is about getting the biggest bang for the buck, not about cheap, cheap. Geez you make Shrewsbury sound like we are overrun with chickens.
The teen room is completely inaccessible as is the business office - both spaces used for meetings when the large room is being used. Is the poster saying it's OKAY for a child with a handicap, or heck, even the former library director, to not be able to access public parts of the building?! I hope you never suffer a debilitating disease or injury...oh wait, maybe I do a little bit!!
Hi Missy, please scroll back to the last paragraph in John's long post to see the remark.
Posters, do we care about the people who can't afford all the impending tax increases? Many are on fixed incomes or have lost their jobs.
Didn't we just replace the Fire Station? Sure we did.
Would it be nice to replace the library too? Sure it would. Would it be nice to replace Sherwood and the Police station? Sure it would. But where will it end?
A lot of us are saying "enough!"
Repairs... yes.
Doubling the size of the building... NO.
Those who disagree with the project aren't against handicapped people. geeesh! They ARE against spending more than the town can afford when there's more important projects ahead.
There's a weird idea bouncing around: "We can't fund the Library because there's other projects ahead."
But will proponents of such an idea actually SUPPORT those other future projects? I doubt SRT will be out there calling for money for Sherwood, or Beal, or the Police station, or the wastewater plant. Or anything.
In the end, such an argument is not an explanation for "NO."
It's just an excuse.
I ought to write Verizon and say, "why should I pay my bills this month when there are going be a bill next month, too? It's not fair."
Hey, SRT, I'm on a fixed income. I get paid what I get paid. And unlike Social Security recipients, I don't get a cost of living increase.
to the poster at 5:29 who states
>>Those who disagree with the project aren't against handicapped people. geeesh! They ARE against spending more than the town can afford when there's more important projects ahead.
ok. have at it. I'm not suggesting the Library of Sherwood are the absolute most important projects of all time but do tell what you forsee in your crystal ball of the important projects ahead. or is this just a stall tactic?
Mark,
Actually there are plenty of people with this "weird" idea about other projects that will vote yes on at least one project. I for one would love to see the town get a larger library and at least major improvements at Sherwood. But I am at best hesitant to vote yes for both doubling the library size and for building a brand new middle school. I know several of my family members feel the same way. It's too much at one time. So if I vote no for the library, I'm not just making excuses - it really does mean I choose to support whatever middle school project gets put forth instead.
Kathy
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