By Doug La Rocque
The Office of NYS Assemblyman Steven McLaughlin has announced that seven libraries in his district have recently received the monies from grants that were awarded last year for various infrastructure and cosmetic improvements.
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The Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls had been allocated $26,208 in grant funds for the rehabilitation of the public access ramp in 2014, and received a check for the bulk of it on September 28, 2015. Because the ramp needed to be fixed sooner rather than later, and knowing that the Library would eventually receive the money, Library Director Carol Gaillard had the repair work done, paying the contractors with library funds. The check will reimburse the library.
Gaillard said the ramp had fallen into a state of disrepair. Built about 20 years ago, huge sections of the bricking around the concrete and pillars had fallen or broke off. Rainwater was also cascading from the upper portion of the ramp to the lower side, affecting the structural integrity as well. Gaillard said all of the bricking had to be removed and replaced. She said the contractors also sealed all the bricks to prevent a repeat of the water damage. “This time, it was built correctly, so it should last a very long time,” Gaillard said.
All-Phase Contracting did the brick and concrete work. They also removed, sandblasted, repainted, and reinstalled the railings. Baker’s Nursery did the landscaping, removing trees, killing the weeds, and planting grass seed.
The Japanese cherry trees that lined portions of the ramp were a casualty of the repair work. They, too, had been contributing to the deterioration and had to go. There are no longer any bushes or shrubbery along the ramp.
Grafton Library Receives $4,485.
The Assemblyman’s Office said improvements to the environment to insure health and safety of the patrons and staff are part of the grant given the Grafton Community Library. Library President Estella Hovnanian said some of the money is also earmarked for the construction of a new sign to help with the library’s visibility. Other area libraries receiving grant money include the Castleton Public Library, East Greenbush Community Library and the Sand Lake Town Library.
Assemblyman McLaughlin said “libraries play a vital role in communities across the state by offering access to the Internet, research materials, books and computer resources that we must protect.” McLaughlin, who represents all of Eastern Rensselaer County, also said the funding will provide for much-needed upgrades to enhance the patron experience. [/private]