Date: Fri 20-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-schedule

Full Text:

Despite Setbacks Library Will Be Done On Time, Trustee Reports

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Library trustee Bill Lavery promised the people of Newtown Monday night that

the $4.1 million addition to the Cyrenius Booth Library would be done on time

and at or below budget.

Mr Lavery, responding to town officials' concerns that the project is lagging,

told the Board of Selectmen that despite the problems, the project is still

within its 14-month construction schedule.

Architect Bruce Tuthill of King and Tuthill Architects in Avon concurred,

saying the 22,000-square-foot structure is 68 percent complete and that though

it has hit its share of bumps, will be completed by June. Though two months

late, the architect said the projected completion date still falls within the

contract.

"Things have slipped, but we're still within the contract scope," Mr Tuthill

said. "The hard part is over. The building is up."

The architect said that despite the unforeseen problems, the project is

$278,745 under budget and $215,000 still remains in the contingency fund.

But as Legislative Council member Joe Mahoney pointed out, their positive

reports were in conflict to Frank Krasnickas' December 2 letter to the

architect, which suggested the possibility of terminating general contractor

James Galvin of Building Technologies Inc (BTI) and retaining a construction

manager.

"The Public Building & Site Commission is extremely concerned with the lack of

progress with the new addition," the letter stated.

It went on to say that commission members have questioned why the contractor

does not have sufficient planning or manpower on the job to enclose the

addition with the onset of winter.

Safety is also an issue, according to Mr Krasnickas' letter. Electrical cords

have been spotted submerged in water on the slabs, debris is still on all of

the floors, workmen framing and sheathing the roof rarely use safety

harnesses, and construction crews are working on floors covered with water and

ice.

Mr Krasnickas said that letter still stands, pointing out that materials, such

as sheet rock have been damaged.

Also, the addition was to have been enclosed December 1, but that has been

delayed.

"Things are going slow as far as we're concerned," Mr Krasnickas said. "The

contractor blames the hold up on the asbestos abatement, but that has nothing

to do with the outside addition."

The architect predicted the roof would be enclosed by the end of this week,

but the project's clerk-of-the-works Ed Callo said that would take some form

of divine intervention.

"I realize this is the Christmas season and miracles do happen, but I don't

see the roof being enclosed by the end of the week," he said.

In the meantime, interior contractors must wait to begin work inside, further

delaying the project.

The library project didn't get off to a good start. Construction was delayed

until March, 1996, which forced BTI to bring in "poor" sub-contractors who had

to be removed and a superintendent who quit. From there, asbestos was found

within the existing building, forcing it to be closed for abatement work.

The asbestos removal is about 90 percent complete, according to Mike Buckley

of PETCO.

Paving and landscaping were also delayed when fill was not brought in on time.

"It's not good management by the construction company. That's what it sounds

like to me," said Mr Mooney.

Upon questioning, Mr Tuthill said hiring a construction manager this far into

the project would not be practical.

Mr Mooney also took exception to the fact that if the library board wants

something done or changed it goes to the Public Building Committee (appointed

by selectmen), which usually acts without authorization from the Board of

Selectmen.

"The ultimate responsibility will end up right at this (selectmen's) table and

we're not giving any input to this," Mr Mooney said.

But as Mr Lavery pointed out, the library board has unique statutory power

over the library and has vowed to keep a close eye on the project.

"We have tight control because we are not going one cent beyond the

expenditures allowed by the town. The job will not go over budget," Mr Lavery

said. "There have been problems but we're within the time frame and we're

pushing."

The selectmen requested that Mr Krasnickas come to their next meeting for an

updated report on the project.

"We just want the job to get on track and get done in time," First Selectman

Bob Cascella said.