Building Committee rethinks library project as HVAC estimate hits $2.7 million

WAYLAND — February 27, 2024 — Wayland building panel signals library project can't cover everything voters approved in 2022. The Permanent Municipal Building Committee got its first briefing Tuesday on the $2.485 million library renovation, where an HVAC replacement priced before the pandemic now carries a roughly $2.7 million order-of-magnitude total against $1.45 million in direct trade costs. Facilities Director Ben Keller said about $116,000 has been spent with Lerou Corp. on design; a previously studied lobby addition exceeding $4 million has been dropped. Member Brian Berkowitz pushed for a different delivery approach, warning the town would otherwise "take a direct cost and double it," while member Eric Schmid said the focus should be "things that preserve the building." Trustees Aida Guinness and Judy Dion said the sewer tie-in and exterior repointing can wait. Separately, Keller said he will retire Oct. 1, and the Loker Field project closed about $112,000 under budget.