Library Repair Project Update

December / January Update

Work on the WPL Repair Project continues to progress across multiple trades, with several key milestones reached in late December and a number of coordination items moving toward resolution.

Interior Metal Framing is largely complete, including soffits in Meeting Room and new framing on the third floor for plumbing. Importantly, this work does not impact historic wood trim, consistent project requirements. Hollow metal door frames have been installed, allowing associated rough framing and drywall work to begin after final inspections.

Chimneys have been reconstructed in accordance with the contract documents and inspected. Final cleaning of brick and stone caps will occur when weather permits.

Replacement of the 1980 addition roof and the 1908 slate roof will begin when the weather allows.

The new water service has been successfully installed and tested. Chlorination tests passed, West Main Street trenching has been backfilled and patched, and water service has been brought into the Boiler Room.

Removal of insulation on existing chilled water piping revealed widespread corrosion and pitting. The design team is coordinating with a testing agency to further assess the condition of the piping, including ultrasonic testing, and will provide the building committee with a recommended scope of work and associated costs for consideration.

Overall, the project continues to advance, with several complex coordination issues identified early and actively managed to minimize schedule and cost impacts.

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October / November Update

Library Repair Project – Progress Update

Great momentum continued across several areas of the Library Repair Project!

Exterior Work:
The reconstruction of the chimneys is complete and looks terrific. The team deconstructed and installed an air cavity and weeps as required by code and the chimney caps were cleaned and reinstalled.

The new water service was successfully routed through the stone foundation and into the boiler room, an important milestone.  The process took longer than expected due to several conditions in the building differing from what was shown in the original 1906 plans.  As for Main Street, the plates could not be removed nor the road backfilled and repaired until the connections were inspected, the pressure test passed, and the new pipes were properly chlorinated. 

With winter making an early debut, the roof replacement for both the 1980 and 1908 sections of the library will likely wait until spring. 

Interior Construction:
Inside, the metal framing work is progressing well. Wall partitions and soffits throughout the building are almost fully completed, and wood blocking is underway. Once the new door frames arrive, crews will push forward on finishing these spaces, including the new teen space, bathrooms and safety upgrades on the main floor and the expanded program space and relocated offices in the Children’s Room. All public spaces, including restrooms and exits, are being overhauled to ensure they meet modern code requirements and accessibility standards. 

The installation of the new HVAC system and plumbing for modern fire suppression is also on schedule.

Furniture and Finishes:
While construction continues, library staff are working with project architects to select furniture and finishes that will complement an improved, refreshed, and somewhat smaller library. The goal is to maximize collection space and create a welcoming environment for the community to enjoy for years to come. 

We are still on track to move back to 55 West Main Street in Fall 2026. 

 

 

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September / October Update

When will you move back? When will the project be done?

The project is expected to be completed by September 2026. While that may seem far off, there’s an incredible amount of work underway behind the scenes to ensure everything is done right.

Progress and highlights from September/October include:

• Masonry restoration: Repointing of the 1908 portion of the building is nearly completed.
• Chimney work: The existing chimneys have been demolished and will be rebuilt to current code standards.
• Window and skylight restoration: All historic windows and skylights have been carefully removed and sent offsite for restoration. Plexiglass and plywood are currently secured over the openings to protect the building during this phase.
• Site preparation: A tree at the corner of the property, near the entrance to the church parking lot, has been removed to allow work on the building’s new waterlines.

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August / September Update

Why are the lights on all the time?

This is the number one question we hear! The 24-hour lighting inside the building is an OSHA requirement for safety. These lights are considered emergency lighting so that Police and Fire can safely respond if needed. Because it’s an active construction site with unknown hazards, constant lighting is required.

Progress and highlights from August / September

A lot has been happening behind the fence as the project moves forward:

• Temporary power has been established.
• Ceilings have been dropped and all old ductwork removed.
• The brickwork on the 1908 building has been ground out and repointed (Chimneys are next on the list).
• Windows in the 1908 part of the building will be removed and sent offsite for restoration. (They’re currently surrounded by protective plastic barriers because the glazing contains asbestos, which must be abated first.)
• Plumbing upgrades are planned, requiring new connections to the water and sewer mains on Main Street. This work will unfortunately mean the removal of one or more trees and some temporary disruption to traffic while pipes are dug and set.

We’ll continue to keep you posted as progress unfolds. Thank you for your patience and support as we restore and modernize our historic library building!

 

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July Update

The library’s building repair project is finally underway. In June, Seaver Construction, Inc., the contractor awarded the project, secured all necessary permits and began demolition inside the building. Ceilings in the 1980 addition were removed, along with lighting fixtures throughout the building, to prepare for upgraded electrical systems, new HVAC, and the installation of a fire suppression system. Carpeting has also been removed from all areas.

Outside, the construction site has been secured with fencing, and crews are preparing the exterior surfaces for restoration and regrouting of the original 1908 building. To protect landscaping, trees have been fenced off and memorial benches temporarily relocated. Unfortunately, the cherry tree near the Parkman Street entrance, a once beautiful sign of spring, had to be removed to accommodate a new transformer and an improved book drop.

One exciting discovery during demolition was a long-covered skylight in the Main Circulation area. The project team is exploring ways to incorporate it into the renovated space in a cost-effective manner.

Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses.

Contact us here if you have questions : https://www.westboroughlibrary.org/contact-us

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The vote on the Library Repair Project took place at the Annual Town Meeting on March
22, 2025 in the Westborough High School Auditorium.

See the official warrant here.

ARTICLE 9: Library Building Repair Construction, Temporary Library, and Relocation (Library Building Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds, the sum of Twelve Million Four Hundred Five Thousand One Hundred Seventy Three Dollars ($12,405,173) to fund design, construction, and project management costs for the purpose of repairs and building improvements of the Westborough Public Library, preparation and maintenance of a temporary library for use during construction and relocation to and from the temporary library, including al costs incidental or related thereto, and to meet this appropriation, to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow said sum under M.G.L Chapter 44, Section 7(1) as amended, or any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore, said sum to be expended under the direction of the Library Building Committee, which is authorized to enter into al agreements and execute any and al instruments and to take al related actions necessary or appropriate to effect the forgoing, and, further, to authorize the Board of Library Trustees to grant any utility and/or other easements on the Westborough Public Library property as may be appropriate to provide services to the Library, or take any other action thereon.

Article Information: This article provides funding for necessary repairs, required code upgrades, and infrastructure enhancements for the Westborough Public Library. It includes funding for construction, as wel as the relocation (to and from) and fit-out of a temporary library to be located on the first floor of the Community Center. To date, the investment in this project includes $360,459 for schematic design, approved at the March 2023 Town Meeting, and $1,178,632 for design development and construction bidding, approved at hte March 2024 Town Meeting. Design and bidding for the library work are complete, and hte project si ready ot move forward with construction, pending approval by Town Meeting. The motion for this article requires a two-thirds majority vote.

Project Details:

• Cost: Article 9 represents an ask for 12.4 million dollars to fund the final/construction phase of the Library Repair Project. This reflects a reduction of about 1.5 million dollars from our 2024 cost estimate. 
• Scope of the Project: The Library Repair Project will address major repairs and
  necessary upgrades to the library’s infrastructure, including:

• Replacement of the slate roof on the 1908 building and the roof on the 1980
  addition.
• Replacement of the failing HVAC system (installed between 1980 and 2012).
• Preservation and restoration of the 1908 windows.
• Installation of a fire suppression system.
• Upgrading to electrical systems to make code compliant.
• Ensuring ADA compliance, including adequate restrooms.
• Reallocation of space for teens and adults.
• Upgrading infrastructure in the meeting room and children’s programming space.

About the Team

The Library Repair Project is being led by a team of dedicated and experienced volunteer
community members. They have worked transparently to present Westborough taxpayers with
the most cost-efficient plan to replace aging and failing systems, address deferred maintenance,
and minimize impacts to patron services.