Pictured is WCPL Director Ann Zydek. Photo by Liz Shepherd.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees adopted its 2020 budget and discussed quotes for a dry pipe sprinkler system during its meeting on Monday, Oct. 21.

The 2020 budget, totaling $3,570,000, was adopted. $200,000 of the budget is categorized as the library’s rainy day fund.

Facilities Manager Bruce Hively was present at the meeting to discuss three proposals from companies in regards to a dry fire protection system. Portions of the library’s sprinkler system is in need of flushing.

Hively obtained quotes from VFP Fire Protection, Koorsen Fire Protection, and Shambaugh & Son for the project. VFP and Koorsen provided quotes for both flushing the system and replacing the system as a whole. According to Hively, Shambaugh & Son only provided one proposal as they felt replacement was the only viable option for the sprinkler system.

“I don’t feel flushing is something we want to investigate,” said Hively. “We should probably replace the whole thing.”

“I would love to work toward a long-term solution for the system,” said Ann Zydek, WCPL Library Director. “If the board wants to wait until January for this, it will use our cash reserves up. We really do need to start saying, ‘Where do we go to make this happen?’ And that’s just to keep this structure going.”

Board of Trustees President Chris Merrill asked about the future of other maintenance projects for the library if the board moved to pursue a new sprinkler system.

“We might have to push things back until we can get a new influx of funds…we need to remain sustainable,” said Zydek. “We can handle our operating budget. When we have work that needs to be done, we’ve reached the point where it might be the time to go toward a bond. Things are slowly deteriorating and we want to make this an atmosphere that’s welcoming for everyone.”

The board moved to wait until January 2020 before discussing next steps for approaching the project.

The board’s next meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at the library.