Please take note that the areas immediately surrounding the library building are off-limits to everyone, due to safety precautions.  As we learned from the engineer and our wonderful own Fred Stelle, it will not be a surprise if a harsh winter causes more damage.  Please respect our efforts to keep all of us safe by staying away from the building where you see orange fencing.  Lights are to be installed inside the scaffolding protecting the Handicapped Access side door this coming Monday.

As you will see, the scaffolding company erected the scaffolding today in a matter of hours.  We are in the process of getting lights installed under the roofs of the walkways but this may take a day or so,   please be careful. 

The Library Board of Trustees is awaiting the full report of the engineer who inspected the roof last week.  Last night we saw some photographs of the roof (from the roof) taken by our contractor, Doug Renna.  The pictures show the source not only of the library leaks but the reason why bits of the building have fallen off.  We can expect more this winter as water gets in the cracks and freezes, causing the stone to separate.  This is why you will soon see a safety fence erected around the building so no one can be near the areas where there may be falling masonry.

    The Board is assessing its options in terms of the repair of the roof with the help of the engineer, Doug Renna, and Fred Stelle.

The company that will scaffold and put safety walks to each entrance will begin installation on Tuesday Nov. 28 rather than Monday, as previously posted.

Due to the condition of the masonry just under the roof eaves and the frighteningly large piece of masonry that fell several weeks ago, scaffolding will be put up at the Library. On Monday, Nov. 27, they will put a protective walkway at the side, handicapped accessible entrance. When they have completed that, they will put protective scaffolding leading up to the front door of the building.

Engineers checked the building thoroughly on Friday November 17th. They found that there are areas of the roof where water is leaking between the exterior wall and the eaves. When this water freezes, it can cause the stone to split and separate. The engineering firm estimates we can get through one more winter before the problem becomes acute.

Please use caution when entering the building. When the scaffolding is up, please walk underneath it so we can be assured of your safety. We have professionals checking the roof for the leaks. They will produce a report delineating the items that must be fixed next year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please phone me at 725-0049 x23.