Hampshire County Public Library asks commission for help after ceiling collapse; bid totals $196,000
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Summary
A library trustee told commissioners the library needs replacement of roughly 6,100 sq ft of interior drop ceiling after a partial collapse. The lowest formal bid is about $196,000; trustees asked the county to consider covering roughly half and to pursue grant and fundraising options first.
Rick Moreland, a member of the Hampshire County Public Library board, told the County Commission on Nov. 18 that a portion of the library’s interior drop ceiling collapsed about eight weeks earlier and left a hazardous area taped off near the circulation desk. The board sought assistance replacing approximately 6,100 square feet of ceiling and presented two bids. Moreland said Garbers Construction — a local contractor with a decades-long presence in the county — submitted the higher bid but was recommended because of experience and crew reliability. He said Garbers’ bid was about $11,000 higher than the other contractor and that the total project estimate was $196,000.
Moreland said the collapse left some ductwork hanging and that the area has been closed to patrons. He said the tiles were tested for asbestos and the results were negative. He told commissioners the library does not have the resources to fund the full project and asked the commission to consider covering at least half of the cost or otherwise help arrange funding; the contractor proposed progress draws rather than a single up-front payment. Trustees said they could likely cover the first draw of about $33,000 but would need additional fundraising to proceed.
Commissioners asked about options to reduce cost, including whether the existing track system for ceiling tiles could be reused and whether different tile sizes would lower the price. Moreland said contractors recommended switching to larger 2-by-4 acoustical panels and that the existing track system is as old as the ceiling, but he could not confirm whether reuse was feasible without contractor input. Commissioners also urged the board to exhaust grant opportunities and to work with the county grant writer to identify funding. Commissioner Mance and others suggested USDA and state energy-efficiency grants as possible avenues; the county agreed to refer the matter to its grant writer and to coordinate with the town of Romney and other local partners.
The commission did not approve direct funding at the Nov. 18 meeting. Commissioners said they were willing to work with trustees, explore grants and fundraising, and review any revised estimates or alternative bids before making a financial commitment.