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Minutes
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Grafton Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, June 3, 2024
Hybrid Format
Call to order: 10:07 am
Public Comment: Wendy Martin attended the
meeting to let us know how the newly passed bill S.220 affects libraries across
the state. The bill increases protection for libraries and patrons as
regards “soft censorship”. It protects patrons age 12 and up from having their
library records disclosed to parents against their will. Libraries are
required to draft and adopt policies displays, meeting room use, internet use,
etc.
Wendy also briefed us on the history of the library
becoming a municipal library and the responsibilities that places on our
library. She also shared the changes over the years such as changes in
hours and programming, as well the yearly amount we have asked from the town.
Wendy observed that our endowment is often misunderstood
by the town.
Treasurer’s Report: Michelle presented the draft
budget for 2025. She was waiting for the Trustees decision on raises
before finalizing the budget. The June financial report was accepted by
the trustees.
Librarian’s Report: All library financial
reports and reconciliations are up to date. A projector has been
purchased for in-house as well community use.
There is no starting date for the construction work, but
we should hear soon. We have a bid for the electrical work, except for
changing the circuit box and a light in the basement. HB will get back to us with those items
included. The wet area in the back of the
property has dried up, probably because of the work the Foundation did on their
pipe. Michelle was asked if there were any other building projects that need
attention and she listed: new carpet cleaning, power washing front of building,
hardwood floor maintenance and removal of the grate on the handicapped ramp
that is impeding easy access.
The Neighbor-to-Neighbor Lecture Series has been very
successful. The latest was Barbara Cary’s presentation on her trip to the
border. The next Lecture will be a panel discussion with Liisa Kissel and
two German friends on European politics and Ukraine on August 28th.
Old Business: Michelle gave a brief review
of the confusion with the Selectboard regarding the municipal status of the
library. The confusion about the library’s municipal status caused a
great deal of consternation, with the select board minutes of May 20th
still reflecting misinformation. The Trustees will be responsible for any
further discussion should it arise. Michelle suggested that an
information-sharing meeting with two trustees, town hall staff (including the
Town Administrator and Town clerk), and the library director be scheduled to
share documents about the library’s municipal status, to decide where the
documents should best be kept at Town Hall for easy access and to ask the
office staff for their input about how best to keep SB members etc. informed
about the library, including the better facilitation of communication between
town hall and library. John Saroff agreed that town hall employees are best
suited to carry on these tasks, just as in federal and state government
offices, as elected officials are more transitory and not always as familiar
with policies and procedures.
New Business: Michelle’s and Angel Squire’s
evaluations have been completed. The result of Michelle’s evaluation was a very
high 3.94.
Michelle presented
several possibilities for FY25 salary increases for Angel and herself, based on
different percentages. She recommended a 5% increase for Angel, because her
hours will be increasing by a little more than 40%. Angel’s salary in FY25 will reflect any raise
applied, as well as the increased hours.
The Board went into executive session to vote on salary
increases. The board of trustees voted to increase library
director Michelle Dufort’s salary from $22.72 per hour to $24.54 per hour in
FY25, an 8% hourly increase, starting July 1, 2024. The
board of trustees followed Michelle’s recommendation to increase Angel Squire’s
salary from $15.94 to $16.74 in FY25, a 5% hourly increase, starting on July 1,
2024. Angel’s annual hours will increase from 162 to 234 as well.
Next meeting: June 24 2024 at 10:00 am
Adjournment: 11:05 am