January 2017 Minutes

Minutes from the Bigelow Free Public Library Trustees meeting of Jan. 19, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. in the lower level of the library.
In attendance were trustees Gloria Parkinson, chairwoman; Wendy Neil, vice-chairwoman; Tracy Colangione, Russ Grady, and Karen Nugent; and Library Director Marie Mueller.
There was no public comment.
A motion to accept the November minutes was made by Ms. Neil and seconded by Ms. Colangione. The minutes were accepted unanimously.
The board discussed the director’s performance evaluation. Ms. Parkinson and Ms. Neil met earlier with Ms. Mueller to fill out the evaluation form. Mr. Grady raised the issue of using whole numbers (1-4) for various categories of job performance, rather than the 3+’s used for several categories because it does not follow town procedure and makes the total numerical score incorrect. Ms. Parkinson said they used plus signs to show improvement, but not total perfection, because that was the way it was done in previous years. The board then voted unanimously, on a motion made by Mr. Grady and seconded by Ms. Nugent, to change all the 3-plus scores to fours.
The board revisited an issue from the last meeting on a change in state law that allows fewer than a quorum of trustees to sign bi-weekly warrants. (There was a tie vote last time.) This time, the board voted unanimously to require a minimum of two trustees to sign warrants, with the front page of each warrant to be placed in trustees’ packets for the following meeting. Ms. Mueller will notify trustees if signatures are needed at deadline.
Ms. Parkinson reminded trustees that online state-mandated ethics training is required every two years at the beginning of each year.
Mr. Grady suggested the board thank former trustee Caroline Keiger for her service in the next library newsletter.
The board discussed filling Ms. Keiger’s seat until the June election. It was decided trustees will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 8 to go over any letters of interest the town has received; and to request to be put on the Feb. 15 Selectmen’s agenda to discuss the vacancy and possibly vote on an applicant.
Ms. Mueller gave the director’s report. A discussion on the Fiscal 2018 proposed library budget followed.
The board voted unanimously (motion by Ms. Colangione and seconded by Ms. Nugent) to transfer $2,000 from the library programs line item to library repairs, increasing that line item to $8,000 and decreasing programs from $5,000 to $3,000. The board then voted unanimously (motion by Mr. Grady and seconded by Ms. Colangione) to accept the proposed $395,771 total library budget, which will be presented to the Finance Committee and Selectmen during the town budget process.
Repairs and facilities in the lower level will be discussed at the next meeting, when contractors respond with prices.
The board agreed to have a caterer for the Feb. 17 Legislative Breakfast at the library.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 8 in the library.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Submitted by Karen Nugent