Opinion

Vote No on Library warrant article 13

| Carol Gillis |

There will not be a public Town Meeting this year due to COVID-19. Citizens will be voting on the FY21 Budget (40 Warrant Articles) by ballot as part of the July 14th State/Municipal election.

New Gloucester voters who have been following the budget process will have some understanding of what the budget numbers on the warrant represent. However, without this background, it would be tempting to vote yes on the budget for the Library, without realizing that a yes vote will represent a cut in library staffing and services.

During the budget process, the Selectmen reduced or eliminated the hours/budget for several full-time town staff positions. Initially, they eliminated the Assistant Librarian’s position completely. At that time the Budget Committee recommended keeping the Assistant Librarian’s position at 24 hours per week, to support the need for two staff members at the library for safety and operational reasons and recognizing the value of the library services to the community.

In the budget up for a vote, the Selectmen have restored all but one of the town staff positions that had been reduced or eliminated to 36 hours per week with benefits. The Assistant Librarian’s position was not restored to this level, despite strong support from citizens to do so. Increasing the Library budget to allow the Assistant Librarian’s position to be restored to 36 hours with benefits will not affect the mil rate.

If the majority of voters vote No on any Article, the budget for that Article will be sent back to the Selectmen for revision. The Town will have 60 days to revise the budget for the failed Article, prepare and distribute ballots for another vote, and tally the results. The Town will continue to operate under the FY20 budget during this 60 day period.

If you feel, as I do, that the proposed budget for the Library, specifically the hours proposed for the Assistant Librarian, does not reflect the value of the Library to the community and does not show fairness or respect for the Assistant Librarian’s position, please Vote No on Article #13.