By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
SPENCER ó Members of the Spencer Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday to invest up to $2,000 for an inspection of the town’s aged library.
The money, aldermen said, would pay for a consultant to examine the building and make recommendations on what work needs to be completed first and provide estimates on the costs. The vote came during the board’s monthly meeting.
The library, the centerpiece of Library Park, has been closed since earlier this year when it was discovered that lead-based painting was flaking and posing a health hazard.
“I think we ned to get the building in shape, at least outside, so we can start on the inside,” said Alderman Scott Benfield.
Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Morris and other board members agreed, Morris pointing out that the town needs to prioritize the work it needs to undertake.
“At a minimum, we need to maintain the building so it doesn’t get into worse shape,” Morris said.
Then he wondered aloud what numerous others have questioned about the structure: “What’s the most desperate? The walls or foundation?”
Town Manager Larry Smith said he would see about hiring an inspection company to examine the building and give the town directions in how their efforts should be aimed. In years past, it has been estimated that renovation work to the library could cost more than $2 million.
Benfield asked Tuesday if stimulus money for the project was available, noting that when aldermen voted to close the building earlier this year, they promised to reexamine the matter no later than September.
In other matters handled at Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen:
– Voted to donate Library Park on Nov. 1 to the Michael Yang Foundation and organizers of Voices of Hope for their seventh annual celebration.
– Heard from Town Manager Smith who said plans to replace the Yadkin River bridge have reached the point where officials with the N.C. Department of Transportation are waiting for stimulus money so the work can begin.
Smith said the long-anticipated work is badly needed, but said problems will arise as the existing bridges are demolished and new ones constructed. Much traffic will likely be re-routed along U.S. 29 through Spencer.
“I think we’re all concerned about what a bottleneck that’s going to cause,” Smith said.
– Voted a maximum of $7,500 for plants and reworking of planters along Salisbury Avenue. Ed Robinette, chairman of the town’s Community Appearance Commission, said that once bids for the project are received, the town can decide if town employees might be able to do the work.