Council accepts $49,266 asbestos‑abatement bid for Caribou Public Library ahead of connectivity‑hub renovation

The Caribou City Council on Jan. 27 accepted a $49,266 bid from County Abatement Inc., Caribou, to abate asbestos tile in the non‑historic interior portion of the Caribou Public Library. The work is a precondition for an interior renovation funded in part by an MCA connectivity hub grant to expand public Internet access, conference rooms and telemedicine spaces.

Library staff and the city finance presenter explained the bid and an addendum to clarify trim and lighting removals needed during abatement. Staff emphasized the scope excludes the historic Carnegie portion of the building; the abatement applies to the renovated section dating to the 1963–65 project, per staff remarks. Councilors voted unanimously to accept the sole bid.

Why it matters: The abatement clears the way for connectivity‑hub construction inside the library. The MCA grant will fund improvements intended to increase public Internet access, support telemedicine and add workstations and meeting rooms.

Contract and timeline Peter, who presented the library packet material, told the council the library received the MCA connectivity hub award and that the contractor bid was below the project budget. The finance director confirmed the bid is within the approved grant budget. Councilors approved the motion; staff will execute the contract and schedule abatement and subsequent construction with the library and grant administrator.

Ending: With the contract awarded, library staff can proceed to schedule abatement and then move ahead with interior renovation work under the connectivity hub grant; staff said they would coordinate to avoid impacts on historic fabric and to return any contract amendments to council if required.