CASSADAGA - Weather permitting, work is slated to begin today on the repair of the Cassadaga Branch Library.
Last week, Supervisor David Wilson called the OBSERVER to report that the sale of the library building at 18 Maple Ave. in Cassadaga was a "done deal."
He said he had received a check for $9,000 enclosed in a letter from the attorney acting for the Board of Trustees of the Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library. At the time of the bid, a $1,000 check was received.
Article Photos
OBSERVER?File Photo
The Cassadaga Library has been sold to the Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library for $10,000.
Although the $10,000 bid was accepted by the Town of Stockton Board on July 28, the resolution was subject to permissive referendum, meaning that the public could initiate a petition blocking the sale. This did not happen.
Wilson said, "I am glad to have the matter resolved. I hope the repair goes well for the library board."
Trudy Coulcher, president of the Board of Trustees said that the deed was recorded in Mayville last week. She said, "Money from the Cassadaga Branch Library friends organization and a private donation was used to purchase the building from the town."
Coulcher said, "We are hoping that by summertime the work will be completed. We are happy to be started so patrons can start to reuse the building."
Coulcher said that R N Construction of Cassadaga will be doing the work. Local resident Bill Astry is a principal of the company.
Although he was not available for comment, his wife, Roxanne, confirmed that a crew would be starting today weather permitting. The work will be starting with the roof of the building.
Comments on this article may be directed to dchodan@observertoday.com
Timeline of events concerning the Cassadaga Library
Aug 22, 2010: Librarian Katherine Heath notified Supervisor David Wilson about mold in the Cassadaga Library. Library is closed
April 15, 2011: Town of Stockton approves $10,000 for mold remediation. The intent of the board was to receive a certificate declaring the problem solved. This did not happen.
April to June 2011: The Library Association receives grants from Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and Lenna Foundation as well as other donations.
June 2011: Katherine Way, then director of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System meets with Library Association to explain the application process for Public Library Grant Program. Wilson also attends meeting.
August 2011: Stockton Town Board commits to a match of $ 40,000 for the Library Association's application to the Public Library Grant Program.
September 2011: The Stockton Board rejects sole bid for roof repair, and decides to mothball the property for the winter.
April 2012: Wilson finds that there is no signed agreement concerning the Cassadaga Library with the Library Association.
May 2012: Wilson has Library building appraised.
May 2012: Library Association awarded $42,240 for repair of Cassadaga Library by Public Library Grant Program.
May 2012: Library Association president Trudy Coulcher asks the Town Board for $10,000 to repair the roof at the Stockton Library.
July 10: Stockton Town Board declares library surplus property and seeks bids.
Aug. 14: Bids on Library opened.
Aug. 28: Board accepts a bid of $10,000 from the Library Association for Cassadaga Library.
Nov. 13: Supervisor David Wilson receives a letter from the attorney acting for the Board of Trustees of the Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library with a check for the balance of the $10,000. Deed is recorded transferring the building to the Board of Trustees of the Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library.
Nov. 19: Work slated to begin on the repair of the Cassadaga Branch Library, starting with the roof.
