Date: Fri 02-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-project-roofing

Full Text:

Roofing Problems Strain The Library Project Budget

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Last December, library trustee Bill Lavery promised the people of Newtown

that, despite all the problems, the library project would be done on time and

at or below budget.

But the speed of the $4.1 million job has been out of the town's hands, and

delays, especially with asbestos removal, have pushed the original June date

for the opening back to July.

Now, the town and the library trustees are facing the possibility of going

over budget. It seems the roofing company, already way past its deadline, is

having difficulty connecting the new roof to the existing roof. They blame it

on the thickness of the existing slate compared to the new shingles it has

installed.

Last week, Dave Gordon of Macri Roofing, Inc, suggested taking down the slate

shingles and putting up shingles to make the roof as it was originally

designed, at a cost of $8,500.

"What's up there is totally different from the drawing," he said.

Mr Gordon said this would improve aesthetics concerns. The roofer said the

extra work would take about a month.

The roofer said there are also problems with some of the gutter work and roof

valleys.

With little money left in the project's contingency fund, Mr Lavery is looking

for alternatives to the slate removal to cut down on the cost and is meeting

with First Selectman Bob Cascella next week to discuss the matter.

"Our pot of money is gone. We will not go back to the town for more money," Mr

Cascella said.

Frustrated, Mr Lavery has asked the roofer to provide him with costs,

alternative plans and a time schedule proposal this week. As he points out,

roofs are a sensitive issue in Newtown as almost every public building has had

some sort of trouble with its roof.

On a brighter note, Public Works Director Fred Hurley reports significant

progress on the roof since last Thursday's construction meeting at Fairfield

Hills.

Last Thursday, Mr Gordon agreed to increase the number of workers on-site, but

said he was having difficulty finding any non-union sheet metal workers. Union

men were easy to find, according to Mr Gordon, but he was hesitant about

mixing union and non-union workers. Mr Cascella said he would get him three

non-union sheet metal workers. On Friday, however, two union workers were on

the job.