Library Takes First Step Toward Renovating Basement

The Library Board approved a plan to move forward with a basement renovation project that will expand available meeting space at the .

The architect for the project will now make detailed and exact drawings of the proposed renovation. After the architect completes the drawing, the plans will be put out for bid. The bid will specificy that the board does not wish to spend more than $200,000 on the project, Library Director Kimberly Paone said. If interested contractors bid too high, the board has the option to reject them and either go out to bid for a second time or not move forward with the renovation, Matawan Mayor Paul Buccellato explained at the board's Feb. 8 meeting.

Currently, only a third of the existing space in the basement is available for use, while the rest of it is unfinished and being used for storage.

"There are two other rooms approximately this size beyond that wall," said Paone at the board's meeting Feb. 8. "The beginning of our discussion of this plan was to make more room for meeting space and make available area for our patrons."

Paone also noted that from the start, she wanted to incorportate a small staff room, a bathroom and proper storage space in the basement, which would free space on the main floor for an additional office.

"It is a lot of work," Paone said. "When I met with the architect recently before she began the process of the cost estimate, I told her that we want it to look nice but we're not looking to create the Taj Mahal down here. The key is to look finished, not fancy."

The project has been on the table for about three years and was previously postponed because of its cost and the instability of the economy. In order to do the construction, the library's electric panels, alarm system and plumbing will all have to be updated.

Some members of the board were still concerned with the cost, however Jerry D'Auria, the member who handles the finances of the board, assured them that they would have enough money.

The library currently has about $319,000 in their reserve fund. The reserve fund is there for library improvements and is not in the same account used to pay the bills, D'Auria explained.

It was also pointed out during the meeting that much of the electrical work will have to be done in the future, regardless of the basement renovations.

"You're going to have to do the electric eventually, sooner or later, so you might as well get started on it. I've been here two months and you've been kicking around this project for three years. You are going to have to do it eventually, for reasons of safety and other things," said Irwin Katz, a member of the board.

Although the board decided to move forward, the renovation project is still only in its very early stages and will likely not be completed this year, D'Auria explained.