Hubbardston trustees prioritize replacing exterior lift, authorize contractor outreach
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Summary
Trustees agreed to prioritize replacing the library's obsolete exterior lift and to pursue contractor quotes and an RFP; they also asked staff to confirm what existing CPC funding covers for historic window work.
The Hubbardston Board of Library Trustees agreed to prioritize replacing the library's exterior lift and authorized trustees and staff to pursue contractor contacts and a formal request-for-proposal (RFP) process to scope work.
Trustees said the lift is obsolete and no longer meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements; they asked staff to focus the town capital request on a replacement rather than an architectural study. Maria (trustee) and other trustees were given a clear directive to gather contractor contacts and return with specification and pricing information for a phased renovation approach.
The discussion centered on three related capital items that trustees have previously placed on town capital planning lists: an architectural/engineering assessment (described in prior materials as addressing structural capacity, code compliance, ADA accessibility, MEP systems and feasibility of first-floor remodel), replacement or repair of deteriorated front-row windows, and replacement of the exterior lift. Trustees said they want to avoid duplicating funds already allocated through earlier Community Preservation Committee (CPC) or capital requests and asked staff to confirm which items are covered by earlier awards.
Trustees outlined next steps: assemble previous quotes and grant documents, seek at least three contractor quotes where required by procurement thresholds, draft an RFP describing the intended scope (for example removal of a non-structural partition or specific lift replacement work), and coordinate with the town administrator and town clerk on procurement and historical-review requirements. Trustees assigned a subcommittee to arrange site visits with contractors who worked on recent town projects and to prepare a formal specifications package for public solicitation.
Trustees also discussed the town's ADA assessment process and noted that the library trustees were not engaged when the draft ADA report was circulated. Trustees asked staff to submit corrections to the draft ADA report and requested that the town administrator or building consultant attend a future trustees meeting to discuss roles, outstanding corrections, and practical next steps for areas the report omitted, including the upper floor and the lift.
Trustees emphasized that if a wall is determined to be structural during further review, the engineering/architect proposal should identify structural options (for example engineered beams) and any Massachusetts Historical Commission consultation that would be required before demolition. Tom (trustee) and others will gather contractor contact information and arrange site visits so the subcommittee can develop an RFP for formal bids.
No formal vote was taken on bonding or contract awards at the meeting; the board's action was to authorize information-gathering and to prioritize a lift replacement in upcoming town capital requests.
