Hello. Hello everybody. >> Good evening. >> All right. Who do we have here? Honey's joining. Yep. Oh crap.
>> Who was that? >> I don't hear anything. >> Dale. >> Hi Dale. >> Hi. >> Okay, I'm here now. Let's see. There's a chance that Jeff won't be here. He told me he was going
to be away. Um, but I I don't know exactly when. >> And what about Molly? >> I don't know about Molly. >> I think Molly thought that she might not be able to make it.
>> Okay. [Music] >> But we have a we have a quorum. >> Okay. >> And let's get started. >> And Penny is six. Yeah. Oh, here's Jeff. Okay. >> Okay, great.
>> Okay. >> Okay. So, 7:01 is when our meeting is officially called to order. Um, I do not see any public for public comment. My my, those
were the days, weren't they? Okay. Um, review and approve minutes of October 23rd. 23rd. Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes of October 23rd? >> I'll make that motion to approve the minutes of uh October 23rd.
>> That's Dale. >> Yes, Dale. >> I will second them. Elaine, any uh changes, comments? Um, I made the change that you requested, Elaine, um, of adding
Molly as being absent. >> Okay. >> And I fixed the wonky formatting that, um, Stephen pointed out to me. >> Okay. Other than that, great minutes. Thank you for taking them.
>> So much fun. And I am assuming that you are the one who is uh sending them on to um >> you posted >> you to be posted. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um
so all those in favor roll call vote. >> Antonellis I. >> Damas I. Foster I. >> I. >> Jake. Okay. Show me.
and Paleo. I All right, let's go on to construction update because I know that Neil has to be um leaving us somewhat timely. So, take it away, Neil, and let's talk about
construction update. >> Roger, why don't you bring us up to speed on field activities and then I'll jump in on the budget if that works. >> That's fine. Um, I think most of you have been, well, probably all of you have been over to the site in the last week, so you're pretty familiar with
what's going on there. Um, this week they've been working on light fixtures. Um, they were there today to finish the last bit of the carpet, tie in where the uh, glass wall to the the study is going. Um, they delivered the materials.
They still have a little more to to modify. They'll be back tomorrow to hopefully finish up installing the the glass doors on the office, the teens room, and the um staff work area. Um their intent is to work Saturday for the
site and to finish up and have that ready to be paved sometime next week. Uh they still may have you know miscellaneous things like signage to come back but as far as getting the site ready for paving that should be done by the end of the day Saturday. Um we had
good news on the the well the water sample that taken yesterday pass. So that takes that uh out of the equation for getting finished. Um leeching field is almost done. They're just topping off
with the top soil today. Um, continuing with the landscaping. Um, a few more trees to do. Um, still waiting on a on a date for hydro seating and and lad. Hopefully that comes soon.
Um, and then I think the remaining work will be punch list. Um, and uh getting the sign offs. We still are don't have a date I guess yet or later in the month for uh the light poles
but uh all in all things are incrementally moving forward. Um I think as earlier in this week they were figuring that they would have be ready for a TCO by the end of next week.
>> And what does that mean TCO? That means you could start moving things in and getting ready. >> Temporary certificate of occupancy. >> Yes. >> Oh, I see. >> Um,
>> Roger, did you get a resolution on that item you called me about? >> Yes, we did. on the uh the area of pvious uh stone along the driveway for reserve parking. We did get a resolution to be u a
grindings and and concrete mix. >> Okay. >> In lie of uh >> stone. >> Stone. Yeah. Which this will be a little more maintainable surface.
Oh, >> any questions? >> I have a question just a point of ignorance. Uh what is involved in um the issuance of the certificate of occupancy?
>> They need the designers to sign off that the work is complete. Uh get inspections um from the building inspector and the electrical inspector. Um, >> essent essentially Penny, it's making
sure that all of the critical life safety features that would protect the public in the event of an emergency within the building are up operational and there's adequate uh points of egress. So, if they ever had to leave
the building, they would have someplace safe to go and an easy lit and uh accessible way to get there. >> Thank you. So, the lighting issue, there was an issue with lighting in the um
let's see, it's the study or the the um quiet >> it's the quiet adult reading >> adult area and um the the recessed linear light fixtures that go into the suspended seal. ings and the material
arrived and when they went to install some of it fits and some of it wasn't quite made to the right dimension. It's a um it's kind of a U-shaped one of them and one corner was made correctly and the
other corner is a half inch too long remade. Um and that's the one that they really had to push hard to get a delivery on. So, um, again, the backup plan on that was temporary lighting fixtures where
needed. Um, and I don't know the the answer to that yet. Maybe we'll know tomorrow as to what the schedule on that is. >> So, if we have temporary lighting fixtures, I was noticing that there are a lot of the ceiling panels that are not
in place. Um, can we get a TCO with the ceiling panels not in place? >> Well, they'd be installed and they were actually there today and they'll be back to to finish up the ceiling panels. >> Okay. >> So, that's again once you have the above
ceiling inspection and I believe that's in place with the electrical inspector that uh they can finish the ceilings. >> Okay. And do we know when the electrical inspector is coming out? >> I don't.
I think it wanted one of the things was to make sure that and they they have charged them the emergency lighting fixtures are operational. >> Okay. Fire alarm has been tested in the BDA system. So we know that that functions
and calls out Okay. And the paving is not something that we need for the TCO. >> No, they'll have to have um the binder course in place. They'll have to have paved walkways to the um principal
points of egress and entry into the building. And if there are any uh changes in elevation between um the the binder pavement and the sidewalks, they would have to put in a little shim course of asphalt so that somebody in a
wheelchair could um gain access um in that temporary condition. And then of course they peel that shim out and pave to the um wheelchair ramp, the accessibility ramp under the final
condition. >> And we only have that one accessibility ramp. Is that correct? >> There are two, one near the the entrance and one further down towards the north end of the building. >> Towards the north end of the building.
Is there a a I guess I would say a temperature threshold after which they can't pave? >> No, not really. >> Um what the the you can't place asphalt
on frozen ground. >> So the fact that we have binder in place already is advantageous to us. Cold weather affects the ability to compact the asphalt once it's placed. Um, so you have to have the roller
literally almost directly behind the paving box when you pave in cold weather. >> Mhm. Um, but other than that, no, that there's there's you can get mix in Massachusetts right up until Christmas time and then
after that you just have to pay a premium to open the plant, but you can get mix anytime. >> Okay. Most of the most of the triacles that deliver the asphalt come with heated bodies. So they um they're able to
deliver and and transmit the materials in cold weather. >> Thank you. >> And again, we'd have allied testing on site to monitor the temperature of the asphalt.
Um, >> okay. Jeeoff, do you have any comments? >> No. Thanks for moving along. >> How was the uh training this week? >> I thought they did an adequate job. Did they? They're um
They're going to get us They're going to do more filming. um than than what they just did while we were training, but I think they did fine. Maryanne's got a lot of planning to do with the control panels. >> And then we'll have more trainings
scheduled the next couple of weeks. >> Yeah. We're not having training on Wednesday, correct? The lighting control systems that's pushed off. >> Yes. still waiting for some of the final components to make it to the job site.
>> Right. >> So, if those temporary lights, if we have to use temporary lights in those uh places that the Ushaped lights, um will we not be able to to do the
total amount of training or can we work around that? No, they already told us if until the permanent lights are in, they can't they can't run the um lighting control system.
>> So, how do you light the building? I >> think manually. >> Okay. Like, Roger, like uh he was doing today when I was there, going back in the back and light. No, they should have most devices have light switches.
>> Okay. >> Otherwise, you would be at the circuit panel. >> Yep. >> And then they've have a plan in place for um sight lighting out in the island where
they uh light poles that we have yet to yet to get. They would provide a generator out there, a light tower. Do we have any update on those light poles coming? >> I don't think the date has changed. >> It has changed or >> It hasn't changed. Nothing's gotten
better. >> So, it was November 28th as I recall. >> That was when they were going to ship. >> That was when they were going to ship. >> Yeah. >> From Did we ever find out from where? >> California.
>> Okay. >> Figure a week. a week to 10 days in transit minimum, especially this time of the year. >> And do we know like a week to get them up or >> Oh, it should be a No, there's I think
there's only four lights. They probably set them all in a day. >> Okay. >> Once they're here, they'll have they I would imagine they'll have all the wires pulled. So, they literally have to stand the light poles on the base, fish the wires down into the um uh the base of
the light pole, and then tie them all together and turn them on. It should it literally should be a day. So, if it should be a day and it's going to be a week to 10 days to get everything
here, are we talking December 15th for everything to be completed? Don't all say yes at once. I was asking I'll th I'll throw it out there. I would say that yes, we're looking at somewhere in mid December to be finished.
>> Okay. >> And I'm probably the least connected to the project. So, take that with a grain of salt, please. >> Roger, what do you say? >> It's the biggest smile I've seen on Jeff's face in a long time. >> I I want to point out that um November
28th is the Friday after Thanksgiving, >> right? And um and that really seems sort of like a suspicious day to me to have something scheduled for shipping. But you know, I'm a skeptic, so everybody knows that.
>> You could say there'd be less traffic on the road. >> Oh, yeah. >> I didn't used to be a skeptic. >> No, I'd say we, you know, we make one step at a time every couple of steps every day. >> Right. Right.
>> What's your opinion, Jeff? I always like to hear that. >> I believe Neil. How's that? >> Okay. Where do we stand on activating the um solar power? Is that I haven't
heard anything about that for a while. >> Aren't they waiting on the meter? >> Well, the meter comes once all the paperwork is submitted. >> Where are we? And >> uh they have confirmed that all the panels do operate and from that point from a
>> good and who submits the paperwork? >> It's it's originating with the electrical subcontractor. >> So is that something we nudge Dominic on to uh get them going?
>> We did that on Monday. >> Yeah, I know. >> Yeah. >> And we'll do that again on Monday. Okay. Well, we'll ask for, you know, an update on Monday. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I think it's both the contractor and then the um solar designer sounded like
has to get involved, too. >> Okay. Okay. Any other questions on the actual construction? It's looking great. >> Mhm. [Music]
>> Pretty happy with it. Am I correct in thinking we can't move any sort of furniture in until after we get the um what is it the COO t >> temporary certificate of occupancy.
>> It's not it's not it has not been uncommon for clients that we've worked with to request permission of the building official to move furniture in early. Mhm. >> We they understand that furniture is not always easy to control in terms of when
it's coming and when it's shipping. And we've been very successful in working with local building officials to allow contents into a building prior to a TCO. Um there is some risk associated with
that in terms of you know somebody puts a stands on a piece of furniture and scratches it or whatever else. You know it's not always advisable but when it is necessary normally we can make that happen.
>> There is no furniture other than the um >> shelving >> the shelving coming >> and I think we're set with having the shelving go in. That's not an issue for the building inspector. And you you don't have too much loose furniture. >> I have um a number of office chairs in
my garage. >> No, we all have stuff in our houses, but >> I have things in other places, too, but the ones in my garage I feel like are um at risk. >> So, I'd love to see them in a safer
spot. Well, if if we get the temporary certificate of occupancy next Friday, Penny, >> then items can go in. I wouldn't put anything in the in the library now. >> Um there's still a lot of equipment in there,
>> a lot of people walking around. Yeah. But >> but I think if but you know but by the end of the week more will be out of there and then I could see putting them in there then next weekend. >> Officially the town's insurance doesn't
kick in either until there is a TCO in place. >> What do we know about the shelving? The shelving is shipping is currently scheduled to ship um November 21st.
Um it'll arrive very early the following week and they will start installing it. They um have not said whether or not they will work on Friday after Thanksgiving. Um, so I I imagine that
installation will spill over into the next week into the first week of December. >> So are you based on that, are you uh willing to try to come up with a tenative date to do the book the book uh transfer? >> We can talk about that. That's going to
be another topic. Let's finish construction. Yes. Um, okay. So, on that construction note, let's stay on um the topic of
construction. I sent you the um >> budget updates that Neil provided to us. Um I hope you all had a chance to look over them. Um does anyone have any questions or
Neil, would you like to give us a summary? I just generally speaking um from my from my budget update last month um we spent an additional roughly $615,000
last month October invoices um that included the u uh 560,000 to construction dynamics 14 almost 15,000 to Odin Zello 18,000
for the window um um >> treatments, the exterior window treatments, the bird deterrent, um 15,000 to CMS, 261 to Husatonic basin sampling and testing, believe they were the water um
quality firm, and then $2,700 to uh Otto for um I believe well related service. >> No, no, that was Raidon. >> I'm sorry. Radon testing apologies. don't have radon. >> Um so total expenditures to date are
just under um uh just under 7.1 million of roughly 8.9. Um we have not accounted for any expenditures for furniture, technology or other outside services. Everyone else has been updated with payments to date
and we're still sitting on 400,000 plus of unspent contingency in the project. So, generally speaking, as we were last month, we're in very good shape. Um, overall percentage based on costs
incurred is just under 79%. So, I'll be happy to take any questions that people may have related to the budget. >> I have a question. I think I've asked this before and forgotten the answer. So, >> it always seems like
work happens, it gets build, it gets paid. There's a lag time. Um, >> and so the I think the work completion is much higher than the percentage paid because of that lag. But how long will it take before we finally pay off
everything? >> So, I would expect from a from a financial closeout standpoint, you're probably looking at plus or minus 6 months after the contractor finishes
their work. That should account for um uh furniture items that lag behind or um shelving work, any resolution of any punch list items that may come up in the first month or two of occupancy.
Um you know, those those typically would be what I would expect. Um the contractor will likely be requesting a retainage draw. um at some point you know I would say within 30 to 60 days of getting
occupancy there's usually a pretty significant reduction in the retainage at that point in time it may reduce from 5% to 2 and a.5% or less depending on the status of things like landscaping
things like um uh any outstanding or operational issues that have not yet been resolved olved uh will be evaluated at that point in time as well. >> I think one of the major outstanding
things that we'll be retaining for I've been talking to Neil about this is the landscaping the uh um the seating and the sad because of it being going down so late. it is
potentially um going to be a problem in actually taking uh at this late date and so we're going to have to retain monies for that in case uh we have to have them come back and redo all of that.
>> The the per the period of of the the growing season, if you will, has essentially all but ended in Massachusetts right now. So, you're going to you you'll wind up with a uh lawn that's been fully hydroed. Um
they'll use the emulsifier and the tacking agent in the um hydro seed to sort of bind up the site and hold everything in place. I I would not expect any growth to speak of between
now and springtime. whatever is left in place uh with the seed over the course of the winter, they will have to come back, re pro probably rerake it. Um they'll power rake it again and reed it
and your growth season will start, you know, come April 1 or April 15th next spring. And um hopefully you'll have a good stand of grass in place by July when the heat of the summer sets in. Any other questions?
>> We still have a couple major change orders we still have to res revol resolve. >> Mhm. We're still Are we still working on the change order for the shear walls? >> That's one of those ones we have to resolve.
>> What What is the issue with that? I think we're still waiting on the contractor to respond to Odin Alice's response back to the contractor. >> That's correct. >> And once they make that response, then
we're going to have to reread all the messages back and forth and try to come up with a decision. Okay. And is there any indication as to why it's taking so long >> to get a response? >> I think they're busy trying to get the
building done. >> Well, I Don is not in there getting the building done. Isn't it up to him? >> Um, I think he's waiting for his sons to respond before he can respond. >> Mhm.
>> Okay. Okay, >> I'm not too concerned that they're dragging it out. We're still holding the money. >> Order order of magnitude. I just I just very quickly looked through the list. It looks like order of magnitude $60,000
>> somewhere in that range for all the the sum total of all outstanding um PCOS that have been submitted to date. Again, that's sort of back of napkin >> quick look.
>> Okay. >> So, I guess >> the point my point of bringing it up is just we still have more than sufficient contingency to cover those expenses even if they were approved at the values they've been submitted at. >> Okay.
>> So, just a a voice of reassurance for the committee. They're not in peril by any stretch. And it's normal that we see an influx of change order requests the closer we get to the finish line. Everybody's got to
get their last claims in place. So, nothing out of the ordinary in my opinion. >> Okay. Can we uh talk about the entry sign at this time?
along by the road. >> What? >> Which one? By the road. >> By the road. Yes. >> Elaine, if it's okay with you, I'm going to respectfully drop off if anybody has any questions. >> I think at this point you all know how to get a hold of me, either through
Maryanne or Elaine or directly by email. Just feel free to reach out at any time. Um, it was great to see you all tonight. >> Thank you. >> Look forward to speaking again next month after we have our TCO in place. have a good Thanksgiving. >> You as well. Thank you very much.
>> Thanks, Neil. >> So, uh, for those of you who have not, uh, kept up with it, our entry sign by the the road, it has been raised considerably so that it can actually be seen, um, once there's snow on the
ground, etc. Um, the problem with it is that there are bolts in the back that are holding the letters in place. And when they were when it was first put in,
they were bolts that were easy enough for me to um take off and to be able to remove letters at will, which was not a very good idea. So they came and
um re redid the bolts and shaved the um the hanging ends of the bolts. So it's not as easy, but it still is a rather
unsightly looking back to the sign. Uh we asked for a different look for the back of the sign because it's just like bolts and nuts hanging out of the back of the
sign. Um so they came back with an estimate of $5,000 to put a back on the sign.
And I think Maryanne and Jeff and I felt that that was um an outrageous amount to have to spend for something that's just the back of the sign.
>> How much did the sign cost? [Music] >> The sign was just part of CDI's contract. Yeah. >> Um I don't sure it's on it'll be on a requisition. >> Um >> yeah, I don't remember >> requisitioned yet or not. Um
>> in itself may not have been itemized, >> right? Well, yeah, it would be it'll be on the list when it is requisitioned. It'll be on the list of ineligible expenses. Um so, um but like something like $10,000.
>> Yeah. So, >> according to Neil's um uh spreadsheet of ineligibles, it was 4,000. >> Oh, okay. >> With a sign. >> Yes.
>> And then 5,000 to put a plate on the back. >> Mhm. >> Yes. Because they're using a company that's in is it Maine? Yeah. >> Maine. and they want them to be able to drive down here to weld a steel plate
onto the back of the sign and to drive back. And so it's a lot of drive time that we are paying for they we would be paying for two people. >> Do we know any welders?
We do, >> but um we wanted to bring that to the committee and say that you know potentially we will put um shrubs shrubbery in the back of the sign
um for now and look at what our alternatives are after the project is finished because it just seems outrageous to spend that amount of money for this, but we wanted your approval.
>> Or do we have to vote? >> I don't know that we have to vote, but we just have to know if somebody has major objections to leaving it as is and coming up with something at a later
date. Stephen, you have your hand up. Uh yes, thank you. Um I took a look at the sign a couple days ago from the back >> and uh I don't feel that it's worth spending any money on the back of that sign. Um I
don't think it's that unattractive, if you will. And I think it's one of those things that right now you look at it and you go, "Oh my god." But in a few weeks, um, you're not even going to think about it or see it. I think putting some bushes that are
behind it that maybe get a little taller and kind of create kind of a niche for it, uh, would be a real benefit. Um, and that's what I would do. And I don't think currently it's a real visual
problem because it's not something you're going to really look at uh after this is all completed. >> And it's not a safety hazard. >> No, the the u the bolts, if you will, whatever it was before, they've been cut off uh pretty much flush. I mean, you'd
have to want to somehow try to uh accidentally in quotes uh hurt yourself. You know, it would be difficult to uh suffer any kind of injury uh if you hit the back of the sign. >> I don't think injury is the issue. I
think stealing of the letters is the issue. Removing the letters. >> You think they could still be removed? >> Well, I I don't think so. >> You don't think so? Now, because they put some silicone sealer on it, correct?
>> Not yet. >> No, they've just roughened up the bolts there. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> It's not a gentle thing to turn anymore. >> Yeah. >> Well, when they when they cut the the ends of the the bolts off, it's they made it much harder to get the nuts off.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Dale, you have your hand up. >> Yeah. I just want to say that there are all kinds of things that you can do uh to nuts and threads uh to make it uh difficult to get the nuts off. I mean there are you know it's it on the
mechanical aspect there's you know it's it's easy to fix that really. So, >> okay. >> Has everyone been on site and seen it? Because I could share a picture of the back. >> I don't know. >> Has everyone seen it?
>> Okay, please share a picture. >> Okay. Make sure I can do this. Uh, can you turn on sharing? >> Um, there you go. I just clicked allow.
Okay. See if it works. There we go. >> So, that's the back now. And and it's up higher. This is before it was raised up. >> Yep. >> Well, it doesn't look horrific.
>> No. And with bushes, it'll be much better. And I I think you're right that uh we'll never be really looking at the back of the sign. Unless you're driving out of the
driveway and you look over. >> I do think we should put bushes behind it. >> Yeah. >> I agree. >> What? >> I agree. >> Is it too late in the year to put them in? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah.
>> It's too late to find them. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But I I fully trust that Penny will know just exactly what to put there in the spring. >> Okay. >> Right, Penny? >> Um I will research it.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. So, is everyone um comfortable with that and not spending the $5,000? I'm I'm getting yeses. Okay. >> Okay. Great. We will not spend any more
money on that sign. All right. Um let's see where are we? We have discussed the uh construction uh the rollup generator.
Okay. So I sent everybody the quote >> um for the rollup generator um and um and so Bala which is the electrical engineer
um uh um Dominic asked Bala to say what what kind of generator to get you know and so this is the one that they and the size that they recommended
Um and then I got a quote um through something called source well which is a procurement thing. Um and um and so the generator is what it's about I don't have it right in front of me but
it's about $63,000 delivered. Um so um and this would be an ineligible cost. Um, so, so we and I haven't, um,
I haven't called companies to ask about renting generators. Um, you know, because I haven't had time. Um, but it seems like even if we got the rollup generator and we never used it,
we'd have that peace of mind um of knowing it was there if the power went out. Um, >> I'm sure you would use it at some point. >> Yeah. Okay. So, Dale has something. >> Yep. Dale, you're on mute.
>> Okay. Yes. Uh, yeah. I I guess, you know, I never thought that we would be buying a roll-up generator because and especially for $63,000. I I my feeling is, you know, a it, you know, what would we do with it when we're not using it?
B, it's probably not going to be that easy to get it, you know, especially in the middle of the winter time to get it up close to the building. And I'm thinking that if we need something, you know, if we're going to have a rollup generator there on a permanent basis, why aren't we not putting in a stationary unit?
>> We're not putting in a permanent unit because it needs a certain type of switch that needs a certain type of room that we >> don't >> decided we didn't have room for. >> That's to be a fireproof room
>> just for the switch. >> Yeah. >> Whoa. The switch couldn't be put in the book drop room that is fireproof. Oh god, no. Okay. Okay. Just asking. Just asking. >> Yeah. U for Well, first of all, there's
no room for it in there. And then there's um and it I don't know, but for some reason it can't go in the electrical room, >> but it's an electrical thing, >> right? >> I don't think there's a room in the electric room, >> right? So, it's not just a switch like a
light switch. >> No, no, no, no, no. >> I mean, I don't know. When you say switch, I don't know what a switch looks like. >> It's a transfer switch. >> Yeah. >> Big. >> Oh, big. Okay. Okay.
>> So, my question also, Miam, where is where will you put it? >> Well, that's that's a thing. So, we and you know, you and I talked and we agreed that we wouldn't make a decision tonight because we wanted all of the >> the change orders to be satisfied before
we >> made this decision. Um, but I think that um I think there are some things that we're going to need like we need to have a place to put a snowblower. So, we've
talked about putting in a small shed after everything is done and we see what everything looks like, putting in a small shed behind the parking area. And then the generator could go behind the small shed and maybe the small shed
would have a lean too. And then they can have pretty long cords like the cords can be 100 ft long um from that would connect to the building and the place where the generator connects to the building is on that south end of the building where all
that stuff is. Um >> you would only run the cords when you need to run the generator. >> Right. >> Okay. >> And then somebody would need to start the generator. um you know so somebody had said once a week but the generator company folks
said no that would be excessive and then um and when I thought about it being me starting the generator even once a month I wasn't really drawn to that idea but then I remember we're going to have a janitor um who really loves starting
generators um so so I don't really know if he does love starting generators, but um but he wouldn't mind. Um >> so um so anyway, but this is a thing that we can get everything done, see
what it all looks like. Um and then maybe it could go behind the transformer. Um and we can put, you know, like a gravel path that you and I make ourselves, Jeff. You know, just get a wheelbarrow. They're put in some more
ballards. Yeah. >> Yeah. More ballards. >> I think there are plenty of ballards. >> We have ballards. >> There are more ballards on this site than there are anywhere in the whole entire town of Sheets Ferry. So
>> I don't think there is another ballard in >> We should name the ballards. I don't know that there's enough names to name all of the ballards. So I have a general question about backup
um energy. Does Town Hall have a generator? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And where do they have their their switch? >> I don't know. But Penny, Town Hall is not exactly a model of
>> No. Okay. Okay. Well, that wasn't the critical point. >> It's it's in the front room, you know. It's it's behind the door in in in the uh the north end. >> Okay. And then the highway department just put in a generator, right? >> Yes.
>> And the elementary school have a generator. >> Yes. Yes. >> And the fire department does, too. >> Okay. Well, I'm just thinking, you know, I'm thinking about this from the point of that worst case scenario. I remember that storm. >> Sure.
2008 when many without power >> for seven days which in this town means no water and it's really important to have a place for people to go and so >> well we need it for heat too don't forget
>> right you need it and yeah so I don't know >> have to protect the building but I think you're right that we need to >> we need to go through the change orders and see if we have enough >> money left to be able to do this.
>> And it's not essential that we decide this at this point. It sounds like >> correct. >> Correct. >> An ineligible cost. >> Right. >> Correct. >> Okay. Well, and it sounds like there's still the question of uh what's the
feasibility of a say a rented generator where it's brought to site um you know and seeing what the cost of that are and uh whether you could anticipate when there's this 8day uh power outage being
able to get one. >> I think a lot of people would want those if that happened. Yeah, I think that's the the issue is to what would the availability be in that case, right? >> And how quickly could we get one?
>> Has anyone ever investigated who even rents those in our area? >> Yes. >> Where are there rented or there have been rented generators on the construction site? Um, so and if anybody would be interested in calling around to
construction equipment companies that run generator and getting prices on that kind of thing, that would be very helpful. >> Okay. >> I won't do it this week.
>> And you could use the specifications from this generator that I sent you, >> this gener. So, it sounds like we need some more information before >> Yes. >> deciding, >> right? >> Yes.
>> But I think I'd be very optimistic to think that we could get a generator shipped to Shootsberry in an emergency situation. I mean, you know, it's >> I agree, >> you know. So, I I don't think that's something that that's, you know, good planning.
So, >> um, you know, and the other thing that we also don't know is, you know, what is the capacity of the, uh, largest portable generator that the fire department has, and I meant to try to get some information on that to see if, you know, see what we need and see
what's a already available. >> Well, there you go. That's a good that that's a good thing, Dale. That So, you'll check into that? >> I will. >> Okay, great. Excellent. So we will revisit generators.
Anything else do to do with the construction and the generator and overall there? If not I want to move on to the next topic which is the um official opening
and the soft opening. I would like to know um the committee to create this gala event um met today for a second time and we are honing in on
the date of January 10th and I'd like you all to check your calendars to tell me if that is going to be a date when you are going to be available to come to our gala. opening.
Brad says yes. >> Yes. >> Stephen says yes. >> Honey says yes. >> Henny says yes. >> Can you say the date one more time? >> January 10th. >> At 10:00 a.m. will be the um
>> 10:00 a.m. will be speakers and the actual opening. um 2 in the afternoon will be for young children and that group and 5:00 p.m.
will be teens. So, we'll have I mean, everybody can come at any time, but we'll have specific events for children at 2 and teens at 5 or 6 PM to, you know, pizza
for the teens and, you know, um maybe a movie and um maybe some uh music and stuff for the kids uh at 2 and it'll be at 10:00 for speakers and general public
to come in and see. How does that look for everyone? >> I'm good. >> How about Dale? Are you okay? >> I'm really not sure. Uh but you know, I don't want to hold it up for everybody. Um I I I'll have to talk to uh
>> the boss. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Andrea and Heather, how does that look for you? >> Already had it in my calendar for that day. >> Great. >> I'll hold it.
>> Okay, Roger. I can't hear you. >> I said I will make sure I'm there. >> Okay. All right. So January 10th is the date and we will uh unless there are many
people in the friends of the library or uh trustees that can't make it. all of the trustees can make it that um and I've emailed the friends at the library and I have I haven't um I haven't heard
from any of them yet who weren't at the meeting today but >> Okay, >> but so but we'll they will reply. >> Andrea, what were you gonna say? >> Would you like us to like us to get a commissioner to speak for that date specifically? Great.
>> Yes. Yeah. Okay. So Andrea, here's a question we had. So on January 10th, I mean, I can't predict the future, but I think there's a chance that it'll at least be cold out in the morning. >> So,
and so do people have as many speeches as they do at groundbreings >> when it's cold. >> Yes. If you want to have everybody
outside and not enter the building yet, I would cap speeches at two to three minutes each and maybe not that much. >> Um, we did just have a grand opening on
Saturday in Swansea. It was raining, so they ended up having it inside and they did it. They were originally were going to do it right outside of the program room and then have the speeches in there, but they did it in the um renovated original part of the library and they cut the ribbon in there and
then everybody went over to the program room. Um so we've seen it done all different ways, but when it's cold out, people don't want to stand outside and listen to a speeches. >> Okay. And so could we Well, we can do
whatever we want, right? But but would it be strange >> um and of course this is shoot so that's just we're we strange but would it be strange if we said we're cutting the ribbon right at 10:00 a.m. and then
everybody's going inside and then we'll do the speeches. >> I think that would be great. That would be fine. >> All right. So we could do something like that. Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. you might lose. So, like what I noticed on Saturday is that a lot of people, this was a twostory building,
too. A lot of people wandered in the speeches, you know, it was but there almost 300 people there, I think. So, >> yeah, >> some of that I think was it was confusing because you went everybody gathered at one end for the ribbon cutting, then they decided to move it
and everybody went to the other end of the building and then everybody had to trek back. I think some people didn't even realize there were species, >> right? They just wanted to look at the building. >> Smaller geography here that >> we were actually thinking that we would
do the speeches in the meeting room, but since we have um the video display in the teens room and in the um the small meeting room that we could actually zoom it into those rooms also, so people
could be wandering but still hear the speeches. And you can try out your, you know, flexible meeting room kind of lobby space, too, >> right? >> True. >> True. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right.
>> If you really wanted to corral everybody and do the speeches first, another option would be speeches in the meeting room and the ribbon is strung across the hallway that goes from the lobby down into the the, you know, into the main library. So, you have the speeches and
everybody files out. You cut that and then let people loose. >> I think we're going to have to let people be in the entire library. >> Yeah, I think we're going to have more than, >> you know, we're going to have a lot of people. >> Yeah. And I thought that if we were doing this at a different time of the
year that we would have a big tent outside um or that it would just be kind of okay to be outside cuz I think a lot of people are going to come and that's why we're going to do it have the children later and have them have their
own ribbon to cut. Um because then you know then people then families with you know with kids can come and have their own thing and they won't and they don't have to worry about listening to speeches and or getting child care so they can come.
>> Um so um and that way we can have you know more people spread throughout the day and if people can't make it in the morning but they could come at six o'clock at night they can come hang out when the teens are there. that that will be the smallest gathering for sure. But
um but I already know a couple of teens who want to come because I said there was going to be brownies and ice cream there. So >> I love that your groundbreaking was sweltering and it will be cold for your >> Yes. Oh my god, that must have been the
hottest groundbreaking ever. It was. >> But we still had like 250 people there. There certainly were a lot of people there. So, um, okay. So, >> I have a quick question. So, I'm thinking back to the groundbreaking and,
um, CMS provided, uh, shiny shovels because they didn't want our rusty old chute sperry shovels. Uh, does CMS have shiny scissors to cut the ribbons? >> I'm sure we do.
>> Good. We'll put that. >> I will I will check on that. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, um >> Elaine, do you have any of that yellow ribbon? Do you remember that yellow ribbon that >> Yes, I do.
>> You do? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay, we're all set for ribbon. Okay, that would be a little symbolic. >> Yep. The yellow ribbon that we all had on our mailboxes. >> Yes. >> Support the vote. Oh my. seems like ages
ago. Okay. So, the soft opening is going to be whenever Maryanne come gets around to it. So, it'll be probably she's saying that she's going to have uh her
first program in the meeting room come Hell or High Water on December 3rd. So we will probably soft open maybe December 8th, maybe December 15th,
but that's kind of fluid. The other major question is the book brigade. The book brigade needs to be after the shelving is in
potentially. and we need approximately 250 people to line the street to pass the books. We were speaking about it today in our
um ceremony committee and we discussed just doing the children's books and passing the large children's picture books one at a time down the
road and then using um bags, tote bags to pass, you know, three or four children's books along the way and taking about an hour or so to do this.
Maybe it'll take 2 hours by the time we get everybody situated and all, but doing it um in that manner and not moving the entire collection that day, but really making it a celebration, a um
publicity opportunity. And um nobody will be in either of the libraries except for librarians and um whoever they put in charge of helping.
We talked about what day to do it and there are two days that are the only potentials and they are the Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving Day weekend. How does that sit for people?
>> So, you're talking the 2930 of >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Dale, >> I won't be there. But my truck can be there. I'm pretty
sure >> I'm going to be away. I'll be here. Did you get in touch with um I did. >> What did she say? >> Do I have to go into witness protection?
>> No, no, no, no. We're not going to do it the weekend that you can't make it. Right. >> Um, did you talk to the um police chief about Sunday? >> I I didn't, but I'll text him. >> Okay. Okay. I could probably make it
back for the afternoon. >> Okay. >> Of Saturday. See, I'll be away and I was expecting to come back Saturday night, but I can change my plans. >> Okay. But how do you feel, Dale and Stephen,
about not being here for it? >> Well, I would like to, but I don't think that my not being here should hold up the show. >> And I would I would sort of echo that.
Um, I mean, it wasn't I mean, it it doesn't mean a lot to me personally. I mean, I just like to help out. Okay. But but the the actual event doesn't mean a lot to you personally. >> Not really. >> Okay. >> I mean,
>> there will be there will be plenty of time for you to help out. >> There will be we we will move the books probably the Monday after. >> Well, there'll be a lot to move. >> Yeah. And a lot of other things, books
and all. >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. So, that's the tenative and we will uh let you know exactly which day whether it's Saturday or Sunday after Maryanne
finds out because we need a police detail for it and um we don't have a police force on Sundays. So therefore, we would have to hire them
or maybe they would volunteer to do a police detail for us. So we'll we're going to find that out. And like I said, it'll be like 2 hours in the afternoon, 2 to 4. Um basically
doing a lot of um hopefully newspaper and press and all for people to come. Um, I I see Molly's on as a Forbes library, but uh she didn't comment as to
whether she'd be here or not. >> Um, I am going to be around that weekend and Sarah will be home too. I have to drive her like Sunday afternoon later in the afternoon would be difficult because of
other commitments, but Saturday and Sunday earlier in the day would be fine for both of us to help. >> Okay. So maybe we'd move it to 11 o'clock. >> Okay. >> If it rains, is that an issue? >> Oh, yeah.
>> Well, the thing is, so if we did it Saturday, then we could have Sunday as a rain date. >> Okay. >> Um, if we do it Sunday and it rains, we have to cancel it. Um, if it, you know, if it's flurrying like it was, was that
today or yesterday? >> No, yesterday. >> Yes. That would be beautiful. >> That would be beautiful. >> You know, we have beautiful flurries. May that be all the snow we get all winter. >> No, >> I know some of you people like snow.
Oh, and we're getting snowshoes, so let's have snow. Um but um but anyway, we'll um >> Yep. >> Yep. We'll keep talking about it and I'll um I'll check in with the police
and see. Okay. >> You know, >> and I'll I'll keep everyone a breast of the timing. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um Penny, do you have an update for us from the friends?
Um well, let's see. Um the turkey trout is Saturday the November 22nd. I think we have 100 close to 160 people signed up to run or walk. and we've raised over $10,000 in sponsorship money. So,
>> wow. >> Uh it's pretty phenomenal. >> And then, um >> yeah, and I know you're helping, Dale. I know lots lots of people are helping. So, >> takes about 40 volunteers to pull this off. So, it's a a big community event,
but it's lots of fun and a lot of work, but a lot of fun. >> 162 people are registered. >> Okay. 162. >> We're way we're way ahead of where we were well the first year for sure >> and last year. >> Last year as well. So,
>> you know, we we'll see. The weather on that day will um determine how many walk-ins come. But it I mean it's it's going really well and it's going to be a great day. And then um
I forget where we were when we met last time, but we started this little finishing touches campaign. Kind of like a bridal registry for the library. And we've raised I think like oh I don't have the numbers in front of me. I'm sorry. Sorry.
Something >> 19,000. >> How many? >> 19,000 something like that which is unbelievable. All the gardens around the buildings uh the building have been claimed and we have three granite benches and we have
aderondac chairs and we have some of the interior um furnishings um uh donated and it's just it it is uh uh always astonishing to me
>> how generous this town is. So, >> um, it's really wonderful. And I just want to say again, thanks to CMS and, uh, Construction Dynamics for supporting the Turkey Trot. That's really a great thing. Thank you.
So, oh, and then, uh, you know, it never ends. It never ends, but giving day is December 2nd, and you'll be getting a letter in the mail soon giving you yet another opportunity to support the library. And this um this campaign is a
little different because we're asking people to support support programming rather than helping us build the building this time. So, little twist. >> Anything else, Maryann? Did I miss anything? >> Um Florence Bank. So Florence Bank,
every year they well this year they're giving $150,000 to area nonprofits based on their customers vote. So it's the Florence Bank customers choice community grants. We have won a grant
from them every year since 2015. Um, the first year the friends of the library got a $900 check and a couple of volunteers went and I really thought they were going to come back with $50. Um, and so and then last year it was
over $4,000. The most you can get is $5,000 because they really want a lot of nonprofits to get money. But again, this tiny little nonprofit in this tiny little town that's competing with nonprofits in Springfield and
Northampton and you know any place that's in the sort of the Florence Bank area. I think it's the Pioneer Valley and and we get $4,000 or or more. So, but so if you are a Florence Bank
customer, vote for the friends of the Emmensphere Memorial Library. >> Remind us when the voting ends. >> Uh December 31st. >> And do we have a we have a date for the Friends of the Library to meet to
officially change the name of the library? >> We don't have a date yet. I'm waiting for >> um for them to reply to okay the executive board um because the executive board has to be available for that meeting
>> of course. >> Yes. But we'll let you all know. Um so and that so what we're hoping is that during that first week of December we'll have a temporary certificate of occupancy so that we can be in the
building but we won't be open. Um, but we will have some programs in the library that week because I already have them scheduled. Um, but that some evening that week will be a sneak peek for friends of the library and then that
will get the sort of the quorum needed at the meeting to um and then we can also broadcast it on Zoom. Um, and that will really help us get the quorum that we need. Um but um but I think that that could be a really fun thing. Um so
sometime during that week um >> great. Is there any other unanticipated business? >> Thank you. >> Andrea, that paperwork was good that I sent you. >> It was perfect. Thank you so much.
>> Excellent. Thank you. Okay. Good. >> Thank you all so much. This is a such a great time for this committee. I mean, it it everything's just moving so quickly and so slowly
at the same time. >> Do we need another meeting? >> Oh, yes, we'll have another meeting. Don't worry. >> Will it meet in the new library? >> We will be meeting in the new library the next time we meet. >> Yes. >> My question is really, do we need to
have a date tonight? Do we need to have a date tonight? Sure. Let's have a date tonight. Um, how about December 18th,
>> a Thursday night? >> Yes. >> Works for me. >> Good for me, too. I think that's okay. >> I'm good. >> I'm good. >> Molly, Andrea, you good?
>> Yeah. Sorry. I think I can come. >> Okay. Andrea, >> as long as it's on Zoom, I can make it. Yeah, >> sure. Heather. Okay. All right. We will be December 18th at 700 pm in the new library public
library 66 Leverit Road in case anybody doesn't know where it is. >> Great number. >> It is a good number. >> There's a sign out front. >> Yeah, >> there is a sign out front. And you know what? When your um like when your
headlights hit it, you can really see it. It's um you know I insisted that it wasn't illuminated in any way and then I was like oh it's so dark you know but it um but you can see it so that's kind of nice um it shines up. So
>> okay anything else? >> Thank you all. >> Do I hear a motion to adjurnn? >> I move we adjurnn. >> Who was that? >> That's Brad. >> Maryanne seconded it. Roll call vote. Antonellis I.
>> Elmas I. Austster I. Ool. I. >> Jakes. I. Moss. >> I. >> Racco. I >> I. Thank you all. The meeting is adjourned at 8:15 p.m. >> And I have a response. CMS does have
scissors. >> Excellent. >> Excellent. >> Fancy scissors. >> Fancy scissors. scissors. Yes. >> Excellent. Good. >> Good. Great. Great. Roger. >> Take care. Have a good turkey trot. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Thanks everybody. Thank
you. Good night. All right. Happy Thanksgiving. >> Excellent. All right. >> Okay. >> Okay. Elaine, you want to stay on just for one minute? >> Okay. I'll just I'll just say I intentionally didn't mention