HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-09 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - April 9, 2001
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Present: Stephen Conner, chair; Donna InDelicato; Roberta McRae, Eugni; Richard
Ogden; Maria Silvaggi. Also present: Matt Cummings. ,t v~CJADING,
Mr. Conner called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Zgd1 viAl 18 A 8. 3l
Minutes: The minutes of March 26 were corrected to include the Friday after Thanksgiving
in closing times should the override not pass. The minutes were accepted as amended.
Financial report: The personnel budget is past target by about $1800, and the deficit is
continuing to climb. Technicians have been working extra through the year to cover for
circulation shifts; staff had been encouraged to work extra hours on special projects because
we had extra personnel money due to extended vacancies. If technician and page hours are
scaled back, the Director and Assistant Director take some unpaid vacation time, other
divisions cut back to "regular" staffing levels, and some administrative work is charged to the
Reference On Call contract, expenses will be about $3,000 over budget at the end of the year.
Ms. Lynn has spoken to the Town Manager about the procedure for a reserve fund transfer.
She presented a list of checks to be put into place to prevent this kind of overrun from
happening in the future.
Mrs. Silvaggi would prefer to see a higher transfer request than staff taking unpaid vacation.
Mr. Ogden does not support a reserve fund transfer, since it is appropriate only for unforeseen
and unexpected costs. He would prefer to use trust funds or state aid. Mr. Ogden moved that
unless an alternative is agreed upon, a threshold of $7,000 in page salaries be maintained, as a
reserve for a budget shortfall. After discussion, Mr. Ogden's motion was voted on and
defeated.
Mr. Nigro moved that all scenarios be explored to allow the budget to stand as presented,
without requesting a transfer from the Finance Committee. The motion passed. Mr.
Cummings suggested finding mechanisms for paying personnel out of trust funds, or
transferring funds from nonpersonnel to personnel.
A meeting was scheduled for April 18 at 6 p.m. to continue discussing the FY01 personnel
budget.
Mrs. Silvaggi requested an update on trust fund balances.
Director's report: There was some flooding from recent rainstorms in the basement due to a
clogged storm drain. The carpets have been cleaned. Staff meetings are being held to discuss
FY02 cuts. Mr. Ogden moved to send a memo to the staff-expressing regret over the cuts and
reiterating the intent to restore the budget and services. The motion passed. Mr. Nigro, Ms.
Lynn and Ms. Young attended last week's legislative breakfast. Senator Tisei and Jeff Conti
from Representative Jones' office were there. The tax assistance program offered by AARP
has been well-used; if it happens again next year, we'll have to iron out some details. Ms.
Lynn distributed a memo from the Executive Director of NOBLE about filtering requirements
for federal aid.