The Great Neck Library Board of Trustees unanimously approved a construction order Tuesday to repave the Main Branch’s parking lot after construction workers found that the material underneath the pavement was not sufficient.
Dominic Calgi, president of Calgi Construction, which is managing the project’s construction, said when VRD Contracting, which is completing construction at the Main Branch, went to install new concrete curbs in the parking lot, workers found that there was barely two inches of material underneath the top pavement.
“If they milled it, you wouldn’t have had anything there and it probably would not have lasted a couple of years given the sub-base,” Calgi said.
He also said that the material looked like old charcoal or black asphalt rather than a solid stone foundation.
The cost of the repair is $127,120.36, which library officials said would be charged to the Main Branch and Special Services fund in its approved budget.
Library Board President Marietta DiCamillo said the library’s Building Advisory Committee had a lengthy discussion on whether the repairs were necessary given the high price.
“But after weighing the good against the bad, we decided that it should be a recommendation,” DiCamillo said.
Calgi said if the parking lot work gets completed now, it should last 25 to 30 years.
Also at the meeting, the board approved a proposal for a new security system at the library’s Main Branch from A+ Technology and Solutions.
Library Director Kathy Giotsas said she sent a request for proposal to about six surveillance companies, but A+ Technology was the only one to meet the library’s required specifications.
“I did meet with them, they seemed very competent to do a very good job,” Giotsas said.
She also said that A+ Technology installed the security systems at the Great Neck School District, which made her feel more comfortable accepting their proposal.
“I called up for references and they got a glowing review from [Assistant Superintendent of Business] John Powell,” she said.
DiCamillo said the cost for security services was not to exceed $45,000, which would be funded by the library’s Main Branch and Special Services fund.
