| Joanne Cole |
Library supporters attending the October 5 online meeting of the board of selectmen heard encouraging news, as the board voted unanimously to send a revised library budget of $102,033 to the budget committee for consideration. The amount proposed is equivalent to funding both a library director and assistant librarian position at prior wage levels for 36 hours per week with benefits. On the September 15 ballot, library funding of $96,026, reflecting an assistant position at 30 hours/no benefits, was rejected by voters.
Because the board waits to hear from the budget committee before finalizing the warrant, the timing of any re-vote remains uncertain. Board member Linda Chase suggested that a December 15 vote was realistic if the warrant can be finalized in October. Tammy Donovan and Peter Bragdon urged a speedier vote. As for when the library might re-open, that depends on staffing, town manager Brenda Fox-Howard said, and staffing depends on hiring, and hiring in turn requires an approved FY20-21 budget.
In other business, the board deferred taking action concerning transfer station open hours, unanimously voted that the library trustees’ role should be advisory only, held off appointing a library trustee, and also deferred discussion of budget parameters. Public works director Ted Shane and fire & rescue chief Toby Martin gave updates.
Library budget. But the library was the focus, and with an increased budget on the table, words and phrases like “pleased,” “happy,” “a wonderful thing,” “looking forward,” and “heartwarming” came from board members and citizens alike. Contributing to the positive outlook was a recent joint workshop the board held with library trustees. Donovan said she is excited to see the library trustees and board of selectmen working together. Board chair Karen Gilles agreed, calling the discussions and collaboration with trustees a “silver lining” as the board looks ahead.
As requested, town manager Brenda Fox-Howard had compiled a spreadsheet for the board comparing costs of several library staffing scenarios (posted below). Fox-Howard’s calculations showed that increasing the assistant position hours from 30 to 36 at the prior wage rate, while also covering all benefits contingencies, would add about $6000, resulting in a total library budget of $102,033, up from the $96,026 (asst at 30 hours/no benefits) rejected by voters.
Fox-Howard also calculated the cost of a library director at 40 hours and assistant at 36 hours—$106,027—and that’s what Tammy Donovan wanted the board to endorse. Donovan noted that it is unclear who will be hired as library staff; higher funding would provide flexibility and permit work on longer-term projects. Fox-Howard cautioned that 40 + 36 could be “a problem budgetarily” and observed that the 36 + 36 proposed is consistent with other staffing adjustments.
The board appeared to agree, voting 5-0 to send $102,033 to the budget committee for consideration. It was hoped that the budget committee could make its recommendation by the next board meeting, on October 19.
Library hiring. Fox-Howard has said she will be posting the library positions, and again noted at this meeting that the former librarians can re-apply. During public comment, resident Kathleen Potter called the proposed funding “a great move forward” for the community and added her hope that the former staff, who she said are “greatly beloved” and have deep institutional knowledge, will be rehired. Resident Penny Hilton asked why the positions must be posted at all, and why the former librarians can’t be reinstated or at least offered the “first crack.”
Trustees’ role and vacancy. In other library-related action, the board voted 5-0 to clarify that the role of the library trustees be advisory only rather than supervisory or governing, an ambiguity from the library’s more-independent past. Board member George Colby commented on the oddness of having library trustees in a position to supervise town employees. Others evidently agreed.
As to who might fill a current library trustee vacancy, several qualified applicants have expressed interest, leaving the board to wonder whether they have the power to expand the size of the trustee board. Staff will investigate and report back. In the meantime the applicants were encouraged to attend an upcoming trustees’ meeting to learn more – a good idea, Tammy Donovan said, laughing and recalling being told that serving on the select board would involve “two meetings a month,” not the “full-time part-time job” it’s turned out to be.
Budget parameters and process. Also deferred to the next meeting was any action concerning “budget parameters” for the FY21-22 budget, currently getting under way. As board member Peter Bragdon explained, each year the board approves a statement of budget parameters. He read last year’s aloud, among them, “budget built from bottom up without increases unless absolutely necessary and based on a plan with written explanation,” “no cost of living increases,” “no excessive use of the undesignated fund balance,” and “town manager is to look for creative alternatives to balance budget.”
Bragdon, who served on the budget committee, commented that departments have come in requesting a substantial increase, “and we whittle it down.” Instead, he urged the board to ask departments to prepare an initial budget with “something realistic,” such as a five percent increase.
Donovan suggested they look to Fox-Howard for budget guidance. Fox-Howard said she is already meeting with department heads and anticipates “dramatic changes” in two departments, including an increase in their full-time staffing, because the departments “are not working.” She did not identify the departments.
Fox-Howard added that she is asking department heads for a plan and “to prove their case.” Member Linda Chase also spoke up for goal-based budgets and the longer-term view of “where the department thinks they’re going.” Using the library as an example, Chase said the question should be “What does the library need to advance itself?” Whether for new technology, new infrastructure, or a target level of circulation, what needs to happen in Year 3 for the library to accomplish the plan by Year 5? “I don’t see any departments having those plans,” Chase said.
The board will revisit budget process with input from Fox-Howard at their next meeting. They also deferred a possible change to transfer station open hours, unable to agree on community sentiment concerning current hours.
Public works. Earlier, public works director Ted Shane informed the board that paving is nearly complete on Cobbs Bridge Road, wrapping up the fall paving to-do list. With a nod toward the changing seasons, Shane said the sand shed will soon be filled and the department will be “fully prepared for winter” by November 1.
Fire and rescue. With an eye on a future agenda, fire and rescue chief Toby Martin asked to discuss the status of a cistern proposed for Morse Road that was previously approved but not funded. Chief Martin also requested an opportunity to reevaluate the current fire department ordinance that dates back to 2003-04 and “no longer fits the department and community in 2020,” as he put it.
The board’s next scheduled meeting is Monday, October 19. The agenda for that meeting is filling fast.
To view the full October 5 meeting video, click here.
