Ludington Library: March 16 Update

The schedule for the Ludington Library is under revision after plumbing work on the project resumed this week, according to an update on the Lower Merion Library System website.

Metropolitan Fire Protection of Broomall began plumbing work this Monday after the , the update states. The remaining contractors, project architect VITETTA and the township are working to revise the current schedule, which will then be announced.

The township continues to plan for a .

Current project planning includes installing computers, Internet and furniture, planning for the grand opening, and the move back, according to the update.

The Ludington Library project was also discussed briefly at Wednesday evening's finance committee meeting during an update on township finances through Dec. 31, 2011.

Commissioner Lew Gould questioned whether the $9.1 million project will be within budget. 

"It will be very interesting, I think, to see where expenditures come in for 2012," Gould said.

Township Manager Doug Cleland said some costs will be in dispute.

"I certainly hope there are a lot of costs in dispute," Gould said.

In addition to issues with plumbing contractor Altchem, whose contract was threatened several times before it was finally terminated last month, the township .

Commissioner Scott Zelov has said the project is burdened by the state requirement to have multiple prime contractors, rather than a single prime contractor and multiple subcontractors, as is the case with private projects.

Chief Financial Officer Dean Dortone told commissioners at Wednesday night's meeting that he should be able to report back on the project's budget in the first week of May.