The board’s deliberations on heating and cooling systems for the new library building emerged as a focal point of the meeting. Three systems were under consideration: a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump, an air and water all-electric heat pump system, and a geothermal system. The VRF system, noted for its efficiency and space-saving features, was already in use in other libraries by the architectural team. However, it requires additional electric boiler installations for hot water and perimeter heating, especially in areas with large windows. The all-electric system, though more flexible and capable of providing hot water, demands more space and is costlier. It offers options like radiant heating in specific rooms, which could enhance comfort in areas like the children’s story hour room. The geothermal system, the most expensive option due to the need for multiple wells costing around $30,000 each, promises low utility bills by leveraging the earth’s temperature for heating and cooling. All systems are designed to be electric, aligning with the project’s goal of creating a fossil fuel-free building, and would be compatible with potential solar energy installations. The final decision on which system to implement hinges on a grant review and the outcome of an upcoming town meeting, with the understanding that the choice will impact the building’s overall square footage.

The board also reviewed updates to the building’s design, which included a reduction in the overall size from 27,000 to 25,400 square feet. This was primarily achieved by eliminating one of the proposed meeting rooms, prompting adjustments to the building’s layout to improve circulation and functionality. The changes included enlarging a classroom and reorganizing storage areas to better serve the library’s needs. The newly proposed lobby design allows for a more open and accessible layout. Discussions also focused on the placement of the Friends of the Library area and ensuring visibility from the young adult service desk, along with the strategic arrangement of study rooms and periodicals.

Parking was another topic, with a landscape architect presenting a new site plan that accommodates ten-foot-wide spaces and increases the total number of parking spaces. The plan relocates the drop-off area closer to the library’s entrance while addressing school drop-off needs. It proposes a total of 131 parking spaces, exceeding the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) requirement of 80 spaces for the library. The plan also allows for future expansion to 169 spaces if needed. Fire access was a consideration, with a fire lane implemented between the MacArthur School and the library to allow emergency vehicle access from multiple points.

The board also addressed the balance between accommodating staff needs and adhering to the mandate to downsize the building. Certain features, such as shelving, were acknowledged as requiring significant revisions, which were not part of the current project scope. The plan presented is considered final, yet remains at a conceptual level, open to further adjustments during the schematic design development phase. Feedback from the MBLC raised questions about the layout, but no major changes are anticipated. A proposed modification includes a closed room that could serve as a quiet reading area, recognizing the uncertain future of periodicals.

Outreach efforts and the renovation of the town’s website were also discussed. The new website is set to launch on December 16. Previous successful fundraising campaigns, like a bricks campaign that raised $30,000, were mentioned as examples, although such efforts would not fully cover construction costs. The importance of collaboration with town officials to ensure correct representation and branding was emphasized.