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Library trustees discuss irrigation, leaking pipe and town well timetable; no vote taken
Summary
Trustees reviewed multiple building-and-grounds issues including a leaky pipe behind the boiler room, failing VAV boxes, memorial brick installation and uncertainty about the town well and irrigation funding; no formal action was taken.
Trustees spent a substantial portion of the meeting on building and grounds matters, reporting a leaky pipe behind the boiler room, a failing backflow relief-valve seal, several nonfunctioning VAV boxes and recent memorial brick installation work.
Library staff reported that a plumber or the city water department will be consulted to fix a leaking pipe behind the boiler room and that the backflow prevention test indicated a seal problem. A contractor had scheduled semi-annual maintenance and discovered two of three malfunctioning VAV boxes; staff authorized repairs for the remaining boxes and will schedule the work before switching to air conditioning.
Staff said Gates Masonry and Construction installed memorial bricks on April 17 and the town's Department of Public Works completed front-yard work and seeding; trustees said sprinklers had been turned on to start new lawn growth. Earth and Water was reported to be scheduled to work on the library's waterfalls and to repair decayed boards, and Burgess Pest is performing monthly seasonal pest service.
Trustees discussed the town's long-planned well project and told the board that the town administrator said the well timeline likely will not begin until late summer or fall 2025 because the project scope still must be finalized and go out to bid. Several trustees expressed concern about whether to replace irrigation now or wait for the well, and the board discussed the possibility of limiting irrigation to the front lawn to reduce costs.
Trustees also raised a budget-allocation concern: historical sprinkler heads serving the historic townhouse site and adjacent library property appear to be included under broader building-maintenance accounts rather than split between the historical commission and the library. Trustees said they believe the library currently bears a larger share of irrigation water costs and asked staff to pursue clarification with DPW and the historical commission.
No formal motions or votes were recorded on irrigation, repair scheduling or budget reallocation during the meeting; trustees said they will continue to coordinate with DPW and the town administrator and will request quotes for sprinkler replacement and irrigation work as needed.
