Equipment goes to sleep for the night...

January 28, 2011

That's it for today! The equipment is lined up and parked to get some rest for the night. All day the power shovel has been loading up alternating dump trucks with dirt to take away. Now it's time to sleep...

More Foundation Digging, Forms for Footings, 1-28-11

January 28, 2011
The foundation hole is getting bigger every day! Digging is proceeding around the back of the building, and will eventually reach the edge of the parking lot where the bike rack used to be. That area closest to the edge of the parking lot is where the new community room will be located. The soil is very loose and sandy, once they get below the freeze line. Haven't seen any ledge or big boulders come out of the hole yet. The forms for the footings are covered with large plastic tarps overnight for protection.

Marguerite Concrete, Inc. Pours the Footings, Jan. 26, 2011

January 26, 2011
Another snow storm is on the way, and Enterprise continues to dig the foundation in back of the library. While their power shovel is working away, Marguerite Concrete, Inc. trucks are in front, pouring concrete through a tube into the footings forms, see above. The big dirt hole at the top of the photo will be the part of the basement where the Friends of the Library will set up tables to sort books for future book sales. This is only part of the foundation you see. The rest will wrap around the back of the library and end up close to the edge of the parking lot, which is where the new community room will be.

It's 2 Degrees Outside! Enterprise Digs the Foundation

January 24, 2011
It is a FRIGID 2 degrees outside, but Enterprise Builders continue to dig the foundation on the West side of the building by Sunnybrook Drive. Today they are starting form work for the footings. The construction workers are wearing many layers to keep warm. Fortunately, the sun is shining brightly, which may add a little warmth.

Another Snow Storm...January 21, 2011

Last night and into this morning we had another four inches of snow. See above: the power shovel sleeps...It reminds me of a deer sleeping with it's legs tucked up underneath it. The soil inspector arrived this morning to walk the site. Not much is going on this morning.

Digging the Foundation, January 20, 2011

This photo of the beginning of the foundation hole on the Southwest side of the building was taken on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Enterprise Builders started digging the foundation this week, but have had some severe winter weather to deal with. Last week we had about 18 inches of snow, and yesterday we had some snow which turned to sleet and freezing rain, making outside work treacherous. Today the sun is out and work resumed early this morning. Construction equipment has also been compacting the soil over on the opposite side of the parking lot to prevent erosion of loose soil. It creates deep vibrations and at times feels like we are having an earthquake!

The Groundbreaking Ceremony, Saturday, January 8, 2011

Photo courtesy of Leonard Oremland, Library Board member, taken Jan. 8, 2011

Even though construction actually started on December 20, 2010, the official Groundbreaking Ceremony for the library expansion project was on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011. Mary LaBelle Suter, President of the Library Board of Trustees, was Master of Ceremonies. Remarks were made by Mark Zacchio, Chair of the Town Council, Tom Harrison, Chair of the Board of Finance, State Senator Kevin Witkos, State Representative Tim LeGeyt, Diane Hornaday, Chair of the Library Building Committee, and Donna Miller, Assistant Library Director. Refreshments were provided by the Friends of the Library. About 65 people attended the ceremony.

The Construction Trailer Arrives!

Friday, January 7, 2011
The construction trailer arrived today, and has been parked at the far end of the parking lot, behind the fence. Excavating equipment has been grubbing out stumps and rocks in the "new" parking lot area to the left of the driveway as you enter from Country Club Road. Windows are being removed in the building to make way for a temporary fire exit door on the first floor, and a temporary exit stairway from the second floor children's room down to the outside. The windows are being boarded up, so it's getting a bit darker in the library! Tomorrow is the GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY, SAT. JAN. 8, 11:00 A.M., and you are all invited! We'll have a brief ceremony, the groundbreaking process with hard hats and shovels for the dignitaries, then refreshments for everyone. See you tomorrow! Groundbreaking Ceremony Brochure

Thomas Mitchell's Gallery of Library Expansion Photos

Check out Thomas Mitchell's gallery of library expansion photos from our website: http://www.avonctlibrary.info/ConstructionSlideShows.html
Tom is our official project photographer, though Tad Kuziak and Donna Miller are also taking photos. Everyone catches different shots from different perspectives. Enjoy the photos! We'll keep posting more as the project continues.

Temporary Septic Tank and Piping Installed

January 5, 2011. Construction workers are installing the temporary septic tank and piping on the Sunnybrook Rd. side of the library. Customers of all ages in the library have had a great time watching the large power shovel dig the hole for the tank and work right outside the far window. 21 month old Luca Famiglietti watched the power shovel in fascination with his Mom and Grandparents.

OLD OIL TANK IS REMOVED! January 4, 2011

Today is Tue., January 4, 2011 and the old one thousand gallon oil tank was removed and will be taken away. The library is now using a temporary gas heating system until the new part is built. The "new" library will have a geothermal system for heating and cooling.

A fence was erected around the perimeter of the parking lot to keep parking safer and the construction vehicles on the other side of the fence. A construction trailer will be brought on site soon, and placed at the very back end of the parking lot, behind the fence.

A temporary septic tank is being installed, and conduit was installed through a back room for temporary utilities hookup. Construction can be a real challenge, but it's also very exciting to see things happening! We'll keep you posted-Happy New Year to all!