New Library Takes Shape

In the two months since I last posted, progress on the new library has been excellent. Since we broke ground in early April, TLT Construction has graded and filled the site and completed work on the foundation. The drainage system and underground utilities were installed. Late in June we had our first delivery of steel and the pictures on this blog and the Library’s web site show the outline of the building taking shape. At this stage the changes on site are quite dramatic. The date for pouring the first and second floor concrete slabs is now August. The utilities will be connected into High Street in August as well.
We continue to meet with the Permanent Building Committee each month and weekly job site meetings are held with the architects and contractor. Construction is on schedule and on budget.
Comments from Town residents have been very positive. The staff and I share your excitement as construction moves forward.

Building Project Update

With construction now underway for the new main library, weekly schedules have been revised to add more hours at the Islington Branch Library. Summer programs will continue at both libraries with some children’s programs at Westwood’s Temple Beth David. For a schedule of hours, project photos, and other updates go to the Library’s website at www.westwoodlibrary.org

TLT Construction has graded and filled the site, installed the footing formwork, and poured concrete for the footings. It is expected that the slabs will be poured on or about July 1. Please remember, the former parking lot area is now a work site controlled by the contractor. For your safety, driving or walking onto the site is strictly prohibited.

If it’s not convenient for you to pick up your library materials at the Main Library, you can arrange to have them sent to the Branch Library or any other Minuteman Library. The pick-up location option can be selected when you place an on-line request or when you call the Library. A large materials return bin is now located at the rear entrance of the Branch.

Library Construction Begins

Work has begun on the new main library! TLT Construction has taken over the site, fencing off the perimeter of the work area and installing a work trailer for the managerial staff. Steve Viegas is TLT’s project manager and Dennis Pacitti is Design Technique’s Clerk-of-the-Works representing the Town. Weekly project meetings will begin on April 14. The expected completion date for the project is the summer of 2012.

On April 7, the Library Trustees hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the Main Library. Representative Paul McMurtry and Massachusetts Library Commissioner George Comeau were among the speakers. Library Trustee Chair Jane Wiggin welcomed the seventy guests and Selectman Chair Nancy Hyde spoke about the importance of a public library to the Town. To see a streaming video of the ceremony go to the Westwood Community Access Television site at http://westcat.tv/ and look under “Town Events.”

The Library’s new schedule went into effect on April 4. The details can be found on our web site at www.westwoodlibrary.org

Bid Process and Bond Rate

Two items of interest as the new library project gets closer to the actual start of construction:

The bid process for the new library has come to a close and the Permanent Building Committee voted to enter negotiations with the low-bidder TLT Construction of Wakefield, MA. The Library’s project manager firm, Design Technique, made the recommendation in favor of TLT. TLT is currently the contractor for the new public library in Walpole.

The Town’s Financial team led by Treasurer Jim Gavin and Finance Director Pam Dukeman were able to secure a highly favorable rate on the twenty year bond for the library project. The compound bond rate is 3.78%, which is much lower than the 5% figure originally used to estimate the cost to Town residents. The Library Trustees and I applaud the Town’s success in getting such a low rate.

Public Bid Process Begins

We are mid-way through the public bid process for the new library. All pre-qualified sub-contractors submitted their bids on February 8. We received 88 bids that day for trades such as plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, etc. It took the team (project managers, architects and town officials) almost three hours to open, read and record the preliminary results. At this point, it appears that we have at least met figures developed by the project cost estimators for these trades. The general contractor bids are due on February 18 and the resulting numbers will allow us to take the project budget from an estimate to an actual working total. One last note, all firms who submitted bids were pre-qualified by the team listed above and no firm that did not successfully complete this process was allow to participate.

Bid Opening Dates & Colburn School

Plans and specifications for the library project have been made available to qualified contractors. The following project dates have been set: January 6 – Contractor walk through and site visit; February 4 – bids due from sub-contractors; February 18 – bids due from general contractors.

Geddes Building Movers has completed the re-location of the Colburn School to a rear portion of the site. There are now approximately 25 parking spaces available for public use. We ask all library users to show caution when entering the parking lot and to carefully observe the new traffic pattern. This parking arrangement will be in effect until full construction commences in the spring. At that time there will be no public parking until the project is completed in 2012.

New Library - Colburn School Update

Since my last post, planning for the new library has moved from early schematic designs to 75% completion of the final design. The architects, project manager, Permanent Building and Library Building Committees have all contributed to this effort.

Our timeline to complete plans and prepare bid documents remains on schedule. We expect to receive bids in late January 2011. Independent consultants have reviewed project costs as the plans have been developed. The last estimate was completed in late October and show the project is on budget.

Work to clear the expanded library site began in August by the Department of Public Works. Bids to move the Colburn School were advertised and Geddes Building Movers of New Hampshire were awarded the contract. They expect to begin work on November 15 and to complete the Colburn move in December. During this time parking next to the Main Library will be reduced by half to insure a safe and secure work site. More information on library parking is available at www.westwoodlibrary.org