Retired architectural engineer Joe Mangan again presented his concept of a pre-engineered post-and-beam building to replace the existing book barn. Mangan said his idea would give the library 5,760 square feet, more than double the proposed annex and would be cheaper at about $1.2 million. Mangan answered criticisms of the barn-like structure he has shown in concept drawings, saying since it is pre-engineered, it doesn’t have to look like a barn. His two-story concept also has a flexible floor plan since post-and-beam buildings don’t have any weight-bearing walls.
Hanowitz expressed concern that such a large building would cost more to operate and maintain than the proposed annex. Mangan countered his concept has economies of scale. While it is a large building, it is modern and energy-efficient, he explained. Also, the heating, cooling and ventilation systems can service the existing library through a connecting corridor.
Trustee Barry Samuels said there is a need for both the Sanders proposal and barn replacement. “I like Joe’s building. I think we should have both, personally,” he said.
Architect David Stein offered his own proposal, which mainly involves the Sanders annex proposal, but pared down and simplified. Stein said the roof deck is an unnecessary expense as it will be underutilized. Instead, he said, a lawn in the rear can be used for meeting space.
Resident Ralph Goneau said the board has much more pressing business and the annex proposals can wait. “I’m much more concerned about the budget in September,” he said. “Now the public is so scared and confused, we could get the budget voted down. Let’s cool off.”
Former town Supervisor and Planning Board member Jeff Moran again made his case for going before the town boards and commissions, at least to get their advice. “Stuart said there’s no time to go to the boards, but I also heard it would take three years to raise the money,” Moran said.
Samuels said he is concerned about the cost involved in going to the Planning Board since it would require bringing an architect each time. But, Moran said the architect is not needed at every meeting and the Planning Board members are very amenable to reviewing preliminary designs and offering advice.
When the board asked for ideas on how it should proceed, Mangan suggested it decide on a few plans. ‘“Get down to a couple different ideas,” he said. “Right now, it’s too fragmented.” Ludwig suggested six to eight more working sessions over the next two months.
As the night grew later, many trustees said while the discussion is welcome, it should not be at meetings with an already full agenda. That prompted discussion of forming a facilities task force to review recent alternatives and whether to add meetings to allow for additional comment. The board didn’t decide the question of extra meetings, but did vote to empower the executive committee to decide on the scope and responsibilities of a new task force and to appoint its members. The executive committee will announced the task force’s scope and requirements before the July 10 meeting and will solicit volunteers.
However, not all were happy about the prospect of yet another panel.
“I’ve been on the annex task force for two years now. I don’t see the need for another task force. I don’t think there’s that many different ideas out there,” Hanowitz said.
Challenging fees
The board turned to its regular business, including the discussion of monthly expenditures, prompting Town Board member Ken Panza to challenge $4,463 in annex-related legal fees for the month of April.
“In one month, you’ve spent more in legal fees than on juvenile programs,” Panza said.
When pressed on the details of those expenses, Auchincloss said it falls under attorney-client privilege.
When the board moved onto preliminary discussion of the 2015 budget, Panza questioned why certain line items, such as professional fees, were up $5,000, or 50 percent from the current year.
“Can I ask you what your motivation is,” challenged Hanowitz, who said Panza’s comments were inappropriate.
Panza said he didn’t need any motivation and that he wasn’t necessary there as a Town Board member. He added the trustees should be asking these questions.
Auchincloss said Panza was right in that he didn’t need any motivation and moved the meeting along. Trustee Katryna Barber said the $25,000 in proposed increases includes a lot of items over which the board has little control.
