Town Works Toward HVAC Improvements For The Library

The town board approved during Tuesday's meeting an additional $7,000 for gas service and piping installation design work for the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) System at the John C. Hart Memorial Library.

Based on two competitive proposals, the town had selected O'Dea, Lynch, Abbattista Consulting Engineers, P.C. to do the design project. The increase in cost reflects the additional work the company would be required to do. The town decided to go forward with a new gas boiler after finding out that ConEd is putting gas lines along East Main Street in Shrub Oak.

Initially, when the engineering firm was authorized to work, the town did not know of the gas line. They also needed confirmation about what they might be buying. 

Town Supervisor Susan Siegel said timing worked out perfectly. She said the town wanted a gas boiler, but because there was no gas line, they had no choice.

"Gas is an environmentally preferred way to go," Siegel said.

According to a May 19, 2010 Condition Assessment Report prepared by consulting engineers at O'Dea, Lynch, Abbattista, the fees associated with the recommendations are estimated at $7,000.

The town board also approved a bond resolution, which authorizes the town to borrow up to $600,000 for HVAC improvements at the library. Siegel said she does not anticipate using that all of that money.

"We want to cover ourselves, to be conservative," she said.

Once the engineering company determines the specifications on the project, the town could go out for bid. 

Based on preliminary work the project is estimated at $550,000. Some of the money will come from the library surplus, as well as state aid the library staff would apply for. Siegel said the town would speak to the library board members to determine the appropriate funds that need to be taken out of their surplus. The library staff wouldn't find out until February of next year what state aid they might be receiving.

Supervisor Siegel said the library is on a tight schedule for a new boiler. They would like to have the work done by November 1 when traditionally the heating season begins. The boilers at the library have not been functionally working and Siegel said there was a critical need for a solution.

The library has been using space heaters and could benefit from the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning improvements, she said. Space heaters release moisture, which could damage the books.