Town of Sutton

Pillsbury Memorial Hall

93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH 03221

Select Board & Trustees of the Sutton Free Library

Joint Public Hearing Minutes

June 27^th, 2024, 7:00pm

Select Board Chair Michael McManus opened the meeting at 7:00pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Michael McManus, Select Board Chair; Glenn Pogust, Selectman; Nancy Glynn, Sutton Free Library Chair; Catherine Paden, Sutton Free Library Treasurer; and Julia Jones, Town Administrator.

Also present at the meeting were: Mark Rosenthall and Judith Parkinson.

The Sutton Select Board and the Trustees of the Sutton Free Library held a Public Hearing to discuss and receive comment on a proposal for an ADA compliant lift and entry area allowing access to library facilities and materials on the main floor. The meeting began with a discussion on the conceptual drawing for the lift and entrance, which was drafted by an engineer. McManus shared that the parking lot may need to be expanded to accommodate the entry area and to add more handicap parking spots. Earthwork may be required to regrade the slope around the building for proper drainage. McManus discussed funding for the planning of the project, which will be drawn from capital reserve funds.

The possibility of obtaining state or federal grants for the project was discussed. Previous attempts to get grants were mentioned. The Board agreed to explore new grant funding opportunities for the project.

Public Input:

A member of the public asked if the lift would be supported by a backup power source. There was a discussion on whether the lift would work during a power outage. The Board agreed to address this question with the lift manufacturer.

A member of the public asked if the lift would provide access to all levels of the library. The Board and the Trustees confirmed that the lift would not provide access to the children’s section located in the basement.

There was a question about whether the new entrance would have automated doors. The Board agreed to address this question in the final building plan.

Mark Rosenthall recommended that the Town connect with Carol Conforti-Adams, Executive Director of Sunset Hill Educational Institute located in South Sutton. The Board directed the Town Administrator to connect with Conforti-Adams.

Select Board Comments:

McManus observed that the audience seemed in favor of moving forward with the project. McManus made a motion to engage the engineer to draft building plans for the lift and entry area, with funds coming from the appropriate capital reserve fund. Pogust seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The Board agreed to hold another public hearing after the building plans are complete.

Adjournment:

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Julia Jones

Town Administrator