A central topic of discussion was the contractor evaluation for CDI, the company responsible for the construction project. The evaluation form submitted showed a failing score of 71, below the passing threshold of 80, which raised concerns among board members. The evaluation process was scrutinized due to its structure, which did not allow for some questions to be adequately answered because the project was incomplete. Board members debated the potential repercussions of submitting a negative evaluation, fearing it could demotivate the contractor and strain their working relationship. One participant articulated that submitting a failing grade could cause CDI to “drag their feet even more,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive relationship to ensure project completion.

Despite the delays, many board members acknowledged CDI’s efforts and quality of work but noted the scheduling issues that plagued the project. With the original completion date shifted from July 26th to October 18th, the board discussed financial implications, including additional fees of $47,000 to be covered by project contingencies. The contingency budget stood at $600,000, with $400,000 allocated for construction-related contingencies. The board moved to approve up to $80,000 for design and construction management costs, allowing for potential further delays without needing additional funding requests.

In parallel, the board addressed the complexities surrounding the Municipal Vulnerability Program (MVP) grant, intended to fund solar panels and battery storage. Due to the increased cost of batteries, the decision was made to exclude them from the grant application, focusing solely on solar panels. The batteries, which would have offered only eight hours of storage at a cost of $300,000, were deemed impractical. The board agreed to proceed with the solar panel installation, already on site, and integrate a rollup generator into the project plans.

Another topic was the construction progress update, which included the near completion of metal roofing and the ongoing installation of cedar siding. Concerns were raised about the sequencing of tasks, particularly the landscaping schedule’s impact on plant health. The board expressed skepticism about the realistic timeline, given past adherence issues, and emphasized the importance of the growing season for landscaping.

The meeting also touched upon interior work, with drywall sanding nearing completion and preparations underway for priming and painting. The board planned site visits to assess design choices, such as paint colors, organizing visits during daylight hours due to inadequate lighting in the current building state.

The meeting concluded with discussions about community engagement, notably the “Turkey Trap” event organized by the Friends of the Library. Scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the event featured running and walking categories, with early registration indicating strong participation and sponsorship support.