By Laura Lane
Architects and engineers from the H2M Group had visited the library in January to review the existing conditions and list what they believed needed to be accomplished.
"We are only at the preliminary stage for the project," said Tanzi, adding he was attending the meeting to inform the community of the company's findings, as well as to seek residents' feedback.
Tanzi said the roof is old and in poor shape, with standing water and moss growing on the northern side of it. The windows, made of single-pane glass, aren't energy-efficient. He recommend that they be replaced with insulated glass.
He also suggested replacing the boiler entirely. "The gas-fired boiler will require future maintenance," said Tanzi. "We can take the old one out and put a new one in, but that would get the same heat that the building gets now. An alternative would be to abandon the heating system and use a hybrid system, putting heating and air through the same duct work, this way enabling the library to turn off areas not being used."
The library currently pays about $35,000 a year to the Long Island Power Authority. Tanzi said these costs would decrease if the roof and windows were replaced and more efficient light fixtures were added.
He also discussed the possibility of reconfiguring the space at the library. "We could put the children's space closer to the heart of the library, near the circulation desk," said Tanzi, "and create a space for the young adult department. The library is a school building now, with the rooms classroom width. For example, the corridor is nine feet wide and 175 feet long, which wastes space."
About 25 people attended the meeting. During the public discussion, some said they wondered why existing library funds couldn't be used for the renovations, decreasing the amount needed from the community in taxes.
"I don't think the cost should be one bond to taxpayers," said Christine Mack, president of the North Merrick Community Association. "I'd like to see the library come up with some of the money. Every time [the library's reserve funds] have been questioned by the community, I never hear an adequate response."
Mack did say in a telephone interview that she was encouraged by Vice President Mark Davis's promise that the board would look into using some of the funds.
She also supported a discussion to change the configuration of the community room, located near the library's administrative offices. "The community room everyone shares, and it's hard to get that room for anything," said Mack. "If we could get more space, it would help."
Dr. Matthew Kuschner, a North Merrick Board of Education trustee, questioned Tanzi's idea to use one contractor to complete the work on the library. "I think you'd have better success doing the renovations as one project, but not with one contractor," said Kuschner. "Break it up into four prime contracts." Kuschner believed that using different contractors would be more cost-effective.
"There's a lot of work that needs to be done to pare down this number," said library Trustee Bill Pezzulo. "And there's other considerations too, like if the roof needs to be replaced, the library will have to be closed. We'll have to provide services in a temporary unit like a mobile unit. The library can pay for this out of existing funds."
Although residents questioned the proposal, there appeared to be some support for the preliminary plans. "I think it's a wonderful idea to make the library into a workable building; it has so much space not being used," said Nadine Decolator. "We need space for the teenagers. And I believe we should go green and ask for the money that's needed, but also provide as many alternative sources as possible, like grants. The bond is very high right now."
Architect: Library needs work
North Merrick Library renovation recommendations by H2M include:
€Remove and replace the roof, including flashing.
€Remove and replace existing windows.
€Renovate existing bathroom facilities.
€Provide air-conditioning throughout library.
€Remove and replace heating plant.
€New lighting and ceilings.
€Provide recommendations for alternative layout of library.
€Review alternatives for solar power and additional insulation throughout building.
Comments about this story? Llane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
