Library Moves Forward With Repair Work

The Scotch Plains Public Library is moving forward with repair work after a car that crashed into the building in late July caused significant damage to a portion of the children’s department.

Township Manager Christopher Marion announced during the council's recent meeting that AB Designs Contracting of Summit will be performing the work. On Tuesday, he told Patch that the total cost for repairing the building is estimated at $21,810.25.

Most of that cost is being covered by the township’s insurance plan, but the town will have to pay a deductible using a portion of the township’s budget that is allocated for such costs. Marion said he’s not certain of the exact cost of the deductible.

Among the repairs planned for the next month include demolishing part of the area, temporarily enclosing it, reconstructing the wall and repairing part of the roof. Painting, re-carpeting, exterior cleanup and landscaping are also needed.

The cost of fixing the library’s shelving units that were broken is estimated at $1,069. Landscaping is estimated at $1,200.

According to library director Meg Kolaya, the impact of the crash on July 30 caused the building’s bricks to completely crumble on the inside.

 “Books went flying a good ten feet from the wall," she said in a previous interview with Patch.

 Public works crew worked until 11 p.m. that night building a wooden frame and plywood support system to cover the area.

Marion said that the township paid $132 out of pocket for materials from Home Depot to secure the site. Public works crew and police officers also worked extra hours on the scene. Marion said he’s not yet sure the exact amount of time they served, but that some of those costs could be covered by the insurance company.

 The repair work is expected to be complete by mid-September.