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Museum volunteer warns of bats, door gaps and basement moisture; council offers city maintenance assistance
Summary
A volunteer museum steward reported dead bats, daylight gaps around a north door, and basement moisture problems at the local museum. Council members and staff discussed sealing the door, roof/attic sealing, drainage and exterior rock/gravel work; volunteers and grant-writing support were offered to help fund repairs and finish basement work.
A museum volunteer updated the Fountain Green City Council on facility concerns at the local museum on Jan. 9, reporting dead bats found inside displays, daylight gaps around the north door, and persistent basement moisture that may require excavation and drainage work.
The volunteer said she discovered three dead bats and noticed daylight around all four sides of a locked north door. She asked if city maintenance could inspect and seal that door. Council and staff discussed that the remodel work had required different lock hardware and that contractors had re-sealed roofline and attic areas after construction; staff agreed to inspect the door and to ask the remodeling contractor whether it had been left unsealed. The volunteer also reported moss and water near the foundation where a rain gutter discharges directly onto rock at the building base, and recommended installing a water barrier and xeriscaping (rock and groundcover) a yard out from the foundation to reduce moisture intrusion.
Council members and staff offered volunteer and contractor support. Planning and councilors suggested applying for grants to address basement drying and exhibit preservation; a volunteer grant writer was identified. Staff additionally suggested sealing the door and re-routing downspouts to move water away from the foundation and anchoring old implements as displays. The volunteer said once the building is sealed and the temporary canvas cover removed, display cases and pictures will be hung and the museum will open more regularly.
Why this matters Unsealed openings and site drainage problems risk damage to historic artifacts and building finishes and create conditions attractive to roosting bats. The museum is stewarded by volunteers and relies on coordinated maintenance work and occasional grant funds to preserve collections.
What’s next Public works and facility staff were asked to inspect and seal the north door, evaluate downspout routing and drainage, and coordinate with the volunteer and remodel contractor. Volunteers will pursue grant-writing assistance to fund basement drying work and exhibit preparation.
