MONTAGUE CENTER — Masonry and roof repair work at the Montague Center Library got underway last week following the Selectboard’s execution of two construction contracts.

The library’s 2020 condition report, conducted by consultant PCA360, found the building to be in “fair condition,” but that it would need repairs in the near future, including replacement of the roof and repointing work on the façade. A capital improvement request, approved at the May 2022 Annual Town Meeting, involved a quote of $100,000 to repair the building’s corbels, repoint areas as needed, and add brick sealant on all sides of the façade. Additionally, $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was set aside for the roofing project.

The masonry repointing project will be undertaken by Dudley-based JJS Universal Construction Co. for a total contract value not to exceed $85,000. The roof repair project will be completed by South Hadley-based Larochelle Construction, Inc. for a total contract value not to exceed $45,000. Each renovation is expected to come in well under budget, though, with anticipated fees of $70,000 and $35,000, respectively.

The masonry repair project will be completed before roofing work begins. Work, which began Sept. 12, is expected to take about two weeks, according to Assistant Town Administrator Walter Ramsey.

“They’re going to power wash the building, then regrout the areas with specifically matching grout so that it meets historic standards, and they’re going to repoint bricks that are failed or missing,” he detailed. “This will get the exterior in good shape.”

While there is no exact start date specified, roofing work will begin this fall shortly after the masonry work has been completed, Ramsey said. About 150 slate shingles have been identified via drone photography that are “missing and need repair.”

He added that once these projects are completed and confirmed to be under budget, the town’s focus will shift toward replacing the windows of the 1858 building, which formerly served as Montague’s original Town Hall. The windows “at best are leaky and at worst have holes you can poke your finger through,” Library Director Caitlin Kelley said at a public forum in February. This project will also be funded with ARPA money.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.