meeting this afternoon

Rockport considers site survey, borings at Memorial Park for new library site

Lynda Clancy

Tue, 01/05/2016 - 12:45pm

ROCKPORT — The Rockport Select Board will consider Tuesday, Jan. 5, whether or not to approve a site survey of Memorial Park, in anticipation of construction there of a new town library. The survey would also include taking borings in the park, and at the existing library site.

This special meeting will be held at 4 p.m. in the Richardson Room at the Rockport Town Office.

The Select Board is convening solely to discuss library construction matters following the Dec. 16 meeting of the ad hoc Library Planning Committee, which agreed then to pursue producing a request for qualification invitation that would be circulated to architects.

The RFQ lays the ground for initial communication with architects interested in helping Rockport conceive a plan for a new library that would potentially occupy not only the existing site at 1 Limerock Street, but could extend its footprint across that street and onto the patch of green known as Memorial Park.

The Jan. 5 meeting will also include the:

Acceptance of Lynn Luzzi’s resignation;

Review and endorse certain documents for use by the Ad Hoc Library Planning Committee (Podgornjy needs assessment report and CES Engineering report);

Approval of funds for use by the Ad Hoc Library Planning Committee; and,

Discussion regarding specific guidance to be given the Ad Hoc Library Planning Committee.

At the Dec. 16 meeting of the Library Planning Committee, members Ann Filley, Lynn Luzzi, Jan Rosenbaum, Joe Sternowski, Heather Mackey, and Tracy Murphy, Select Board liaison, elected Jan Rosenbaum as chairman.

The committee discussed a wide range of topics, including that of architectural fees. They were informed that those fees can range from 10 percent to 15 percent of the estimated construction costs. A range for libraries runs about $250 per square foot, not including site preparation, according to meeting minutes.

The committee also discussed:

• Funding, private and public.

• The need to conduct all of the committee’s business in public. Emails concerning committee work is discouraged.

• The possibility of having one point-person for public communications.

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• Initial Rockport Library findings: Citizens want improved service, better parking

• Rockport library consultant wants to hear from citizens, presents initial findings April 29

• Rockport selectmen vote no to placing another library question on June ballot