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THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010 2 EZ-TAXI NOW SE RVING AC TO N NOW SE RVING AC TON Featuring Actons Newest And Most Spacious Fleet All Vehicles Govt. Inspected 4 Times Per Year Millions Of Accident Free Miles Airport Transprotation Available For Safe Reliable Service Call: 519-853-1261 905-873-9900905-877-9900 TH E NE W Council wants real numbers Budget overage jeopardizes library features By Frances Niblock Until they see the real numbers Town coun- cillors wont make any financial decisions about the over-budget Acton library replacement pro- ject. At the last council meet- ing Acton Councillor John Hurst, a member of the library project commit- tee, acknowledged there had been concerns about going ahead without hard and fast numbers. Hurst suggested that staff report back with ac- tual tender prices, with an accurate budget package, and not deal with a library committee request for $365,000 to save some upgrades, possibly in jeopardy because of un- expected site preparation and tree saving costs that pushed the $3.5-million budget to over $4-mil- lion. Two thirds of the cost is federal/provincial stimulus funding and the Town is responsible for one third. Arch i tec t S tephen Blood, who said its a pity some things look more expensive than they are, explained how site work and retaining walls required by Credit Valley Conservation unexpect- edly increased the cost. Cost saving measures could include cheaper ex- terior finishes, removal of a plaza and reading deck, cutting plans for a major entrance on River Street and removal of what is called a clerestorey windows at the roof that let in light. All talk of money end- ed very abruptly when Councillor Bryan Lewis who said he was troubled by the new costs figures, asked how did we get to the point in the financing that were $84 a-square- foot out. Lewis saw something on Councillor Hursts face that made him ask, are you troubled by my question? When Hurst said, Yes, I mind, Lewis closed his agenda and stopped his financial questions. Acton Councillor Clark Somerville agreed that they needed to see all of the costs, but he also said hes want to maintain the historic front entrance to the library off River Street. Library Board member and Georgetown Coun- cillor Moya Johnson said the budget issue was not a case of the plans being too extravagant, but due to unforeseen site costs. She said it is premature to begin hacking away at the plans before they know the true costs and that the public wants a main entrance off Riv- er Street and it must be fully accessible. Mayor Rick Bonnette complemented the archi- tects for the modern, fresh looking build- ing. He suggested that the first cuts, if needed, should be to the outside to maintain the function of the library and things could be added later on and paid with through fundraising. Councillor Hurst asked why they would feel an obligation to offset un- foreseen budget increases by reducing the quality, functionality or sustain- ability of the building. He said they trust staff to provide them with ac- curate cost analysis of all capital projects and asked why that should change now. We dont nickel and dime those projects to save money, so why should it be different here at the library? Why would we do it to the Acton li- brary Hurst asked, adding that they hired qualified people for the project as questioned why they tie their hands before the shovel is in the ground. Hurst said the treasurer is comfortable fund- ing the almost $400,000 budget overage from the special infrastructure levy reserves, if required, and they might have to scale back on another future capital project to make up the money. Weve been gifted with over $2-million to fund this project, so we would still only be in- vesting 50 per cent of the cost Hurst said, add- ing he hopes the tenders come back lower than ex- pected. In the next few weeks itemized tenders will be prepared for the trades that have pre-qualified to bid. Site work should begin in mid to late March, and the new li- brary will be operational in December or January 2011, The old library would be demolished in spring 2011. We dont nickel and dime those projects to save money, so why should it be different here at the library? Why would we do it to the Acton library? - Hurst