Minutes for Tuesday October 28, 2025 – Board of Library Trustees
In attendance: chair Gloria Parkinson, Jill Ashton, Director Marie Letarte, Christina Gagliardi, Jacob Evans
Quorum & Call to Order at 6:22
No Public comment
Approval of minutes for September
Motion to accept minutes by Jill, 2nd Tina, all approve
Reports
Motion to move up subcommittee update in agenda by Jacob, 2nd by Jill
MPLCP update/progress
-Print copy of submitted application is available at the front desk. As part of the application process, the team held focus groups and strategic plan feedback recommended a new library. PBC is responsible for projects above $50k
– certification procurement letter received, will be submitted online
– meeting w/Marie tomorrow
– Ridgefield architecture presentation Nov 20
Director’s report
- Small business Saturday Nov 29; Board members are invited to join at library as well as walk downtown to share information and collect contact information.
- Letters to Santa Event
- Baker & Taylor shutdown, switching to Ingram, Amazon or B&N (possible discounts)
- NELA Conference went well
- Library tour Sat Nov 1, 12 pm
- Budget review – Gloria raised the question of the FY2027 library budget. Specifically, she noted her concern that technology costs were cut in FY2026 and asked about the board’s input on planning for a proposal. Discussion among members led to the decision to table the item until the November meeting and dedicate sufficient time for discussion and questions; and also to invite Mike Ward to the December meeting to meet with the board.
- Annual report (action item)
– building project
– motion to approve amendments to annual report by Jill, 2nd Tina, unanimously approved
Subcommittees
-Building PR & Outreach – Library building project, Gloria presented minutes and drew attention to the publishing of the Library Building Project website. As board members are collecting information that will serve to build a newsletter list that will amplify and draw attention to the information captured on the LBP website.
Guest column for the Item from the Trustees will run next Friday.
Library forums will be held on November 4 and December 9. Board members are asked to help get folks to participate, specifically members will share November 4 post. Marie will post for December 9 on November 5 and again all board members will share the event info with contacts.
Gloria raised the question of “the cost of doing nothing” – just letting the building crumble. Marie will get confirmation from the architect that the task of estimating the amount is not included in their RFP. If indeed the case, Gloria is proposing that the trustees allocate funds to determine.
Jill asked for additional information: when and how was the evaluation of the “cost of doing nothing” for the middle school, what would the cost be for doing the evaluation for the BPL?, can an estimate be created from the evaluation that was done between 2018 – 2020 (contained on the status of the project page)?.
Jill recommended that at our next meeting the trustees play out the devil’s advocate oppositions and create 2-3 sentence responses. In addition, she also suggested a conversation with the Trustees regarding their presentation at town meeting so that we are very well prepared.
– post on social media about community feedback forum Nov 4th and Dec 9th
Old Business
Open seat on the Library Board of Trustees. The Select Board has been informed, but has not posted on their upcoming agenda. Gloria will reach out to Mike Ward to request that it is posted.
Jacob asked about the process of rewriting the job descriptions and volunteered to assist. Jill asked regarding the timeline. Marie responded that a specific timeline has not been set, but likely within the year.
New business – anything not anticipated 48 hours in advance – Congratulated Leah Hale, Head of Adult Services on her recent nuptials
Confirmation of date of next meeting: November 25, Tuesday 6pm
Adjournment at 8:00 pm
Minutes compiled & submitted by Gabrielle Turcotte & Jill Ashton
