Hadley Library Board Receives Report Citing Widespread Construction Defects, Eyes Legal Options

HADLEY — November 4, 2025 — Hadley Library board hears third engineering report detailing systemic construction defects and weighs cost-recovery options. A building enclosure consultant identified in the meeting only as John presented findings from the third in a series of inspections of the Hadley Public Library, focusing on the clerestory rising walls and sloped cheek walls, where test cuts and visual surveys revealed deteriorated sealants, step flashings without upturned end dams, discontinuous vapor barriers, and substandard brick masonry — conditions the consultant said may constitute code violations and do not meet industry standard or best practice. Long-term repairs, which the consultant described as the only durable solution, would require full removal and replacement of the cheek wall cladding and correction of the clerestory flashing system; no cost estimates were included in the current scope. Board members pressed the consultant on professional responsibility, and he said assigning fault among the general contractor, subcontractors, designer of record, and owner's project manager would require a separate engagement and review of project documentation — field reports, meeting minutes, and email correspondence — not yet obtained. The board agreed to await direction from the town before scheduling further discussions with the consultant or town counsel; the consultant offered to join an offline call with town counsel at any time.