Adams Library Renovations Ahead of Schedule
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Free Library renovations are 57 percent done and work is ahead of schedule.
Library Director Deborah Bruneau told the board of trustees on Thursday that the renovation is ahead of the scheduled completion date of Jan. 5.
Bruneau said Allegrone Construction has been very receptive to her requests and the well-being of the library employees.
"They have been very cooperative. ... They are a good group of people to work with," Bruneau said. "I am very impressed by them."
She said the library roof is also complete.
However, Bruneau said the library project site supervisor has been called to work on the Stockbridge Library, which Allegrone is also renovating.
"We are just so hopeful things keep running as smooth as they have been, and I hope this new site supervisor is just as good," she said.
Trustee David Strzepek said he was probably called away because the project is bigger than the one in Adams.
The 1862 Stockbridge Library is undergoing a $3 million renovation and expansion over the next year.
"The guy is probably talented enough where he has to go down to a bigger project like that," Strzepek said. "They probably have a deadline over there and he has to jump right into it."
Bruneau also reported that the library may have to close another four or five days to facilitate construction. It has closed three days in total for painting, finish work, and plumbing work.
Bruneau said some asbestos was found in the library's lower levels and the library will have to close for the removal process.
"We are very fortunate it's not the actual pipe insulation; it is the tape that has asbestos on it," she said. "There is no asbestos on the main level. That's the good news."
She said the library will also have to close for the installation of the automatic doors because the electricity has to be shut off. She foresees also closing for more pipe work and jackhammering.
Bruneau said the contractor is going to suggest that the Park Street sidewalk renovation should be stretched along the library and up Melrose Street.
"They decided, because of all the work we are doing, they should also do the sidewalk in front of the library and now our architect is insisting we get an estimate for doing the sidewalk on Melrose Street," she said.
The trustees shared concern about the front doors, which the contractor no longer feels is necessary to refurbish.
"The architects said they don't have to be refreshed now so I was thinking ... they should replace the glass in those doors at the very least," Bruneau said.
The trustees asked Bruneau to find out if there will a deduction in the price because the doors will no longer be refurbished.
Bruneau also reported that a Level 3 sex offender who frequents the library may have harassed an elderly patron.
She said the individual was seen waiting for the elderly patron to leave the building. He shook her hand and introduced himself and proceeded to talk about the weather.
"The patron said they parted ways and he did nothing wrong, but she felt very uncomfortable with him," Bruneau said.
Bruneau said she asked the police what action to take and they suggested maybe banning him if he is intimidating patrons.
Bruneau and the trustees agreed there is not enough information to ban him but Bruneau said she will keep an eye on him.
"I think it is premature," Chairman James Loughman said. "I would request that you keep an eye on him, and if any patron approaches then do something."
The Friends of the Adams Free Library purchased Ancestry.com for the eight computers in the library.
Patrons can use the genealogy site to look up their family history.
Tags: adams library, capital projects, renovation,
