Date: Sat 28-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

building-committee-library-ADA

Full Text:

Building Committee To Look Into Library Code Violation

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Public Building & Site Committee voted Tuesday night to look into the

issue of why the library was allowed to open its doors despite an alleged

building-code violation.

The board was acting on a request from Wendy Beres, the chairman of the

Persons With Disabilities Committee. She remains angry that the building's

handicapped parking area does not meet state code due to its steep slope --

and that the library remains open.

"The authorities in this town have never admitted that the building is open

despite having a state building-code violation," Mrs Beres said. "The library

is holding functions as if it was a legal building."

Town Engineer Ron Bolmer "shot" the elevation of the parking spaces last month

and found the degree of slope grade to be 1:12. An addendum in the state

building code allows a maximum rise of only 1:48. Both the library's

architect, Bruce Tuttihill, and engineer, Dudley Ashwood, have acknowledged

the oversight and have agreed to pay to have the spaces leveled, First

Selectman Herb Rosenthal said this week. The cost of the job is estimated at

$8,000.

"If the architect is going to make good on this, what's the difference," Mr

Rosenthal said in response to Mrs Beres comments. "It's not the ideal

solution, but it will comply with the law."

Tom Paternoster, the town's new building official, only recently became

familiar with the situation. He replaced Al Brinley, who granted the library a

temporary certificate of occupancy in January.

Public Building & Site Committee Chairman Frank Krasnickas was hospitalized on

Tuesday for chest pains and was unable to attend the meeting.