Library Building Committee

2/20/24 Update

Through the fall and winter, we have been getting deep into the details of our building design making both small and large changes always keeping in mind our goal; to provide a library that meets our resident’s needs while being mindful of the budget.  We have now completed the Design Development phase.  Our architects are preparing Construction Documents which will be sent out for contractor bids in April.  We’re very excited about the final design.   You can find the latest power point presentation link at the bottom of this page.
In the meantime, we are meeting with town boards and department heads to review the current plan.  The Board of Health has permitted our septic system, and the Conservation Commission has approved the Order of Conditions for our construction work.  The Police Chief, Fire Chief, Highway Superintendent and Town Administrator have all given feedback that has helped us refine our plan.  
The new Library’s well will be a public water supply, permitted by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. We are in the process of hiring a well driller and working with our well engineer from Fuss & O’Neil to complete the required testing and permitting. Thanks to our Highway Superintendent for helping with this process.  
 

 

9/29/23 Update

A second public forum was held on September 26, 2023.  We have added the power-point presentation to the documents at the bottom of this page.  We will include the link to the YouTube recording of the event when it becomes available.  Our next step is to go out for further cost estimates which we hope to have by mid-November.

 

8/4/23 Update

A second schematic design has been created and we have received new cost estimates.  A summary of this can be accessed here.  The new design drawings and site plan as of June 28, 2023 can be seen in detail (23 pages) here and a summary of the design schematic (5 pages)  can be seen here.  

 

5/9/23 Update

A schematic design has been created and sent out for initial pricing.  You can access the document here.  Our next meeting is scheduled for May 23rd where we should have initial pricing information.

3/25/23 Update.

In-person Community Forum on potential library design, Tuesday April 11th, 7PM, at the Shutesbury Elementary School.  We are ready to share the developing schematic design in a public forum where you can give input into the developing plans for the new Shutesbury Library.   Click here for slideshow presentation.

3/5/23 Update.  

The Library Building Committee (LBC) is pleased to announce that Oudens Ello Architects (OEA) has been selected as the designer for the new Shutesbury Library. OEA has extensive experience with sustainable design, having designed libraries with Net Zero Energy systems.

The design process has begun with preliminary conversations about siting on Lot O-32 that is sensitive to the wetlands and maximizing roof space for solar panels. The next LBC meeting is March 21st at 7 pm.

We are planning a community forum in the spring to present preliminary design ideas to the community and gather input and ideas from the community.

We anticipate breaking ground in March of 2024 and opening our new library in the spring of 2025.

11/15 Update. In the past two months the committee has kept to its alternate Tuesday schedule.  

In November the Selectboard signed a contract with Construction Monitoring Services (CMS) to be our Owner’s Project Manager (OPM).  We now have a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) advertised for our Designer.  Qualifications are due on November 22nd.  We will review all submitted qualifications first in subcommittee meetings (Dec 1 and Dec 5) and then in full committee on December 6th.  We will interview up to four candidates the following week.  Our goal is to have a Designer under contract by the first of the year.  

Environmental testing, under the guidance of the Department of Environmental Protection and Fuss and O’Neill, the Licensed Site Professional hired by the Town, continues. The Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) process is also continuing. In response to comments from the peer reviewer hired by the Conservation Commission, Fuss and O’Neill completed additional wetland delineation investigations and is preparing a report.  

We are planning to hold a Community Forum for residents to meet our OPM and Designer and get a full update on our progress in February.   

9/26/22 update:  The committee is committed to keeping the town informed of our activities and progress.  We plan to meet every other Tuesday at 7PM on Zoom.  We post our agenda and the zoom link on the town website.

We will continue to update this page, write periodic email blasts, post on NextDoor Shutesbury, and hold public listening sessions. 

Our first task is to hire an Owner's Project Manager (OPM). The RFQ has been posted.  We have a timeline that should have this task completed by November 1.

 

Library Director's Monthly Grant Reports

Public Forum April 11, 2023 presentation slides

Cost estimate (7/28/2023) and Comparison Costs (7/29/2023)

Redesign of Building as of June 2023

Public Forum September 26, 2023 presentation slides

OTO Geotech Report November 2023

Civil and Landscape Pricing Set 12/2023

Updated Building Plans 2/2024