Library Board approves concrete repairs

As part of a session which took half an hour, the Putnam County Public Library’s board of trustees approved concrete repairs Wednesday evening.

The board approved a $6,432 bid from Travis Grimes Construction that will include chipping out and patching the library’s sidewalks, as well as replacing the caulking on the ramp. The major repair will be demolishing the concrete loading dock and pouring new concrete with a broom finish and sealer.

Another bid for the work was received. However, Library Director Matt McClelland said it was more extensive in terms of completely rebuilding the damage sidewalks. As such, the cost was much more expensive.

The Travis Grimes Construction bid was approved by the board with the proviso that licensure and insurance would be confirmed.

McClelland said the goal was to have the repairs completed by winter.

In other business:

• Though it was planned, the library’s budget for 2022 was not presented. McClelland stated that between recent meetings with the Indiana Department of Local Government and Finance (DLGF) and the meeting, the library could not fulfill a 10-day notice requirement.

McClelland stressed the board being physically present for its September and October meetings, as these will be for presenting the budget and adopting it, respectively.

With McClelland joining virtually, the whole board and Assistant Library Director Jane Hazelton were present for the meeting. Former member Tona Gardner, whose term expired on June 30, has not yet been replaced on the board.

The next regular meeting of the Library Board is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Room at the library.