Library Business Manager Renee Sweeny

WARSAW — In its first meeting of 2019, the Warsaw Community Public Library’s Board of Trustees learned that the library’s long-embattled elevator was about one month into its rebirth.

“The LULA (limited use, limited access) project did start, you will see, Dec. 3,” said Library Director Ann Zydek. “They basically worked about a week and this past week they were here putting up the scaffolding to create the barrier. They’re going to get as much done as possible — it will be a little dusty and noisy — and then there will be about a week lag as they wait for the custom design of the LULA elevator to arrive.”

The library’s longtime elevator has been in a state of disuse or sporadic efficiency for more than a year and the library’s board investigated multiple options before deciding on the latest project, estimated to cost about $150,000.

The board also approved two resolutions for Business Manager Renee Sweeny to proceed with encumbering funds from the Operating Budget and the Rainy Day Fund. The amount requested from the Operating Fund was $145,002, while the amount to be encumbered from the Rainy Day Fund was $166,473. “That is for the elevator, the architect and the security cameras,” said Sweeny. “It’s two resolutions that you have to approve and then I can send that down state.”

The board also re-elected its board officers, with Chris Merrill named president; Jill Beehler elected vice president; Cathi Zdenek elected secretary and Ben Rice named treasurer. Merrill and Rice were also renewed as officers with the board of finance. Merrill was named president.