HVAC and Fire Suppression: Top Priorities for Jones Library Repairs

Jones Library Buildings and Facilities Committee Meeting Report, May 21, 2024

The meeting took place on Zoom and was recorded. The recording can be viewed here.

Here: Farah Ameen (President), Eugene Goffredo, George Hicks-Richards, Facilities Supervisor
Staff: Sharon Sharry, Library Director

Nine members of the public were present on Zoom, five of whom spoke during the public comment period.

The main item on the agenda was a discussion of the committee's charge to develop an alternative approach to meet the needs of the Jones Library should the demolition/expansion project come to an end. Such a plan has not been revisited since Western Builders assessed possible repairs in 2017 and Kuhn Riddle Architects (KRA) updated initial estimates and conducted an accessibility review in 2020. Since then, the Project administrators and developers have argued that a repair-only plan would be more costly to the city and result in a lower quality building than the proposed renovation and expansion (currently estimated at $55 million). of dollars). [Editors Note: This argument wrongly assumes the town would commit to addressing every need in the Jones Library ahead of other town buildings, and that there would be no contribution from fundraising, CPA funds, or grants.]

Library Facilities Supervisor George Hicks-Richards described the Western Builders/KRA options, but Library Director Sharon Sharry said, “those two different options don't work anymore.” Hicks-Richards agreed, saying “they’re not realistic.”

Although it seemed obvious that the committee was not enthusiastic about developing a repair plan, Sharry and Hicks-Richards agreed that fixing the HVAC system and suppressing the fires were the highest priorities. He said Western Builders' work aimed to retain a gas boiler, but it would be better to get rid of fossil fuels. “If we could make a capital request this year, I would push for funds for the fire system and HVAC design study,” Hicks-Richards said.

When asked by President Farah Ameen if there might be grants or other sources of funding for these repairs, Sharry said no since only she and Hicks-Richards would be working on the effort. [Editor’s Note: There are federal, state, and utility incentives that could be pursued to help offset the cost of electric HVAC systems.] Sharry and Hicks-Richards said library services would likely have to be moved elsewhere during repairs/upgrades to the HVAC system and atrium roof, although administrator Bob Pam (see below) stated in its public comment that it believed it might be possible to undertake many of the necessary repairs with minimal disruption to services.

Sharry said she would work with Hicks-Richards to draft a schedule of repair priorities to submit to City Manager Paul Bockelman, who would ultimately decide what repairs would be funded and when. Among the most pressing needs to be addressed, Hicks-Richards said the fire suppression system would be a relatively simple solution. Sharry suggested that since the City Council had not yet voted on the FY25 capital improvement plan, Bockelman could allocate funding for library repairs. Currently, more than $1.1 million is budgeted in the FY25 capital plan for debt service on the larger renovation/expansion project.

Public comments
Bob Pam, library trustee and treasurer, read a prepared statement (beginning at 3:20 in the recording) listing 11 suggestions for prioritizing elements of a less costly repair and renovation plan. His suggestions included the following:

1. Prioritize the HVAC system, atrium roof and fire suppression systems over a three-year period.

2. Replace the gas boiler with air source heat pumps, seeking savings through energy credits and rebates.
3. Reuse the current boiler room for other uses.
4. Use movable partitions in the Woodbury room to allow the room to be used for two activities at the same time, thereby mitigating space conflicts.
5. Remodel multiple rooms (e.g. media room, craft room, several rooms on the second floor and in the 1993 addition).
6. Install two single-stall bathrooms on the first floor, probably to the rear of the reference area.

Maria Kopicki called for fresh eyes and new ideas in this process. “With all due respect to the three members of this committee, I don't think it's a broad enough group of people and viewpoints to really think about this and come up with different alternatives on how which you would address that.” She further suggested that Eugene Geofreddo consider recusing himself. “It is important that the work done to produce a different plan is completely free from any real or perceived bias. If something is proposed that is clearly doomed to failure, it would benefit Mr. Goffredo's wife. [as an employee of the Library’s Capital Campaign].”

Arlie Gould said she would like to see a more modest approach — less demolition, more historic preservation.

Hetty Startup, a member of the Amherst Historical Commission, said, “I am very aware of the many unmet needs in this town. It seems foolish to move forward with an extensive process to facilitate new offerings when there are so many other needs to be met,” she said.

Facilities Report
George Hicks-Richards reported that the building's air conditioning system remains problematic and will require significant repairs. Leaks have occurred in the building following the recent heavy rain – mainly from the atrium roof. On a positive note, he also noted that the library acquired a new electric van with a range of 160 to 200 kilometers, which is enough for a week's use in the city on a single charge (a charging station has also been installed on site). Hicks-Richards said he thinks it may be the city's first all-electric utility vehicle.