Library Gets Added Space

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer-

The hoped-for additional space at Warsaw Community Public Library will soon be a reality.

The library has received enough money to pay for the extra 6,000 square feet the board voted to build if outside donations covered the cost. As of Monday, $158,000 had been received, and architect Joel Blum said $151,000 would be needed.

The board authorized Blum Monday to begin the paperwork needed for construction bids on the extra space. Candi Wolkins voted against the motion.

Blum said the money would pay for all walls, doors and ceilings and much of the mechanical work. The library has pledges of $27,000 and expects additional funding from corporations and fund-raisers to pay for furnishings.

Blum originally said $600,000 might be needed to build the additional square feet, but in July he said the area could be finished for as low as $300,000.

In another construction matter, representatives from Alt & Witzig said preliminary tests show gasoline components in soil samples taken from the building site. Any threat to human health is restricted, one of the representatives said, because of the depth of the contamination, but the board should still decide how to address the issue because of possible liability and environmental concerns.

Before the problem is addressed the source of contamination must be determined. The representative said it could be left over from a filling station previously on the library property, or it could be coming from neighboring properties.

Alt & Witzig will submit a proposal for handling the contamination once testing is complete.

Also during Monday's meeting, the board established new nonresident user rates. The annual individual fee was set at $45; the four-month fee for an individual is $16. The annual family fee will be $125, or $45 for four months.

The rate for students in preschool through grade 12 and senior citizens age 65 and older is $20 a year or $8 for four months.

The fee for the PLAC card, which allows borrowers to check out books at public libraries across the state, was set at $21. Partial year, family, student and senior rates are not available.

The rates are effective immediately.

In other business:

• The net 1997 tax rate will be .3797 per $100 of assessed valuation. The operating fund of .2430 is up slightly from the 1996 rate, which was approved at .2354. The additional .1367 is for the debt service fund, which will pay for the library renovation.

• Consultant Larry Long reported an overall reduction of $10,975 in utility relocation costs.

• The board presented a plaque to president Ron Raber in appreciation of his 10 years of service. Raber is stepping down from his position on the board at the end of the year. [[In-content Ad]]

The hoped-for additional space at Warsaw Community Public Library will soon be a reality.

The library has received enough money to pay for the extra 6,000 square feet the board voted to build if outside donations covered the cost. As of Monday, $158,000 had been received, and architect Joel Blum said $151,000 would be needed.

The board authorized Blum Monday to begin the paperwork needed for construction bids on the extra space. Candi Wolkins voted against the motion.

Blum said the money would pay for all walls, doors and ceilings and much of the mechanical work. The library has pledges of $27,000 and expects additional funding from corporations and fund-raisers to pay for furnishings.

Blum originally said $600,000 might be needed to build the additional square feet, but in July he said the area could be finished for as low as $300,000.

In another construction matter, representatives from Alt & Witzig said preliminary tests show gasoline components in soil samples taken from the building site. Any threat to human health is restricted, one of the representatives said, because of the depth of the contamination, but the board should still decide how to address the issue because of possible liability and environmental concerns.

Before the problem is addressed the source of contamination must be determined. The representative said it could be left over from a filling station previously on the library property, or it could be coming from neighboring properties.

Alt & Witzig will submit a proposal for handling the contamination once testing is complete.

Also during Monday's meeting, the board established new nonresident user rates. The annual individual fee was set at $45; the four-month fee for an individual is $16. The annual family fee will be $125, or $45 for four months.

The rate for students in preschool through grade 12 and senior citizens age 65 and older is $20 a year or $8 for four months.

The fee for the PLAC card, which allows borrowers to check out books at public libraries across the state, was set at $21. Partial year, family, student and senior rates are not available.

The rates are effective immediately.

In other business:

• The net 1997 tax rate will be .3797 per $100 of assessed valuation. The operating fund of .2430 is up slightly from the 1996 rate, which was approved at .2354. The additional .1367 is for the debt service fund, which will pay for the library renovation.

• Consultant Larry Long reported an overall reduction of $10,975 in utility relocation costs.

• The board presented a plaque to president Ron Raber in appreciation of his 10 years of service. Raber is stepping down from his position on the board at the end of the year. [[In-content Ad]]

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