[music] [music] >> This is the May 14th, 2026 meeting of the Acushnet Public Library Board of Trustees. We are being audio taped video taped. We do have a quorum. First item on the agenda today is the secretary minutes of
Not April. Oh, of April 10th. Does anyone have any questions or clarifications to those minutes? Then we need a motion. Motion. Who seconds? Seconded. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you.
The budget. So, um before I start, I just want to say that I received a memo from the town administrator that there is a spending freeze over anything uh anything over $300. Uh um so, right now um
anything that's contractual um obviously, you know, there's no spending freeze on that. Um and uh regarding our salaries, um the the assistant [clears throat] line
has been stagnant because we haven't had anyone in there. I'm happy to say we finally do have someone in there, so that will change shortly. Um and the library technicians is well below where we should be, which would be 84%.
Um we're at 77 right now set uh set for the library technicians. So, there is some wiggle room if I need to schedule um uh additional shifts for coverage. Um, and then for operating, I want to update on
the energy. I've received the energy bill, our Eversource bill, uh, till February. And February's bill was, uh, $1,574. Um, in the building and grounds line, um, Proficient, uh, came to do their
quarterly check. So, I had to use, uh, that was P Heat. That is $179. Um, and then I do have an update regarding, um, last [clears throat] meeting's vote on purchasing the new computers. So, uh, the quote that I was
given was actually wrong. Uh, Dell computers, um, screwed up somewhere along the quote. So, it's actually less. Oh. Yes, so it's it's a good screw up. So, it's actually less. So, uh, we were quoted, we approved,
um, Oh, God, I don't know if I wrote a one or a seven. That's not good. Um, uh, it was, uh, $5,123.36, but the actual cost now for the computers is $4,526.88. So, that is a difference of $596.
Um, so, I was really pleased to see that. Um, so, um, we'll be using a bit less from the library gift fund, which was approved upon, um, using to purchase the new computers for the public. Um,
that's it for, um, the budget. Any questions regarding anything on the budget? Um, just a quick one on the spending freeze. We've spent all we need to, uh, How is fiscal year to meet budget?
Uh so to to meet the 16% on materials >> Yes. Yes. So we're not >> [clears throat] >> we don't have an issue there. We will not. I um was aggressive this year. Um so we have already used our material line well before um
the this freeze I've been using state aid to pay for items. Right. Um and 90% of the time the invoices from Ingram are always below 300. I do have one that is 330 dollars from a large print uh
materials. I haven't submitted that yet. So um when I do submit it I will include a memo that I did in the past regarding the expenditures that I have to spend. And these are standing orders. So these have been sitting there since Okay. you know, right before the freeze. Correct.
Correct. Um Plus it's not like it's it's only 30 dollars. Yeah, so I'm hoping >> [laughter] >> Um and then if if I have to pay it in FY27 I'll be late, but you know, that's not up to me. Okay. Um but yes, I I did spend the 76. I learned my lesson the
first year. >> [laughter] >> So that is is all set, good to go, and that will be starting shortly. I won't I'm not going to jump on to state aid. Um but um but yeah, so um that's it for the budget. Um Some things are you know, we're they're
already spent out, getting close to um but yeah. It's good to be in we're in good shape with the energy. Yeah. Yeah, um I haven't received March, you know, April's too soon cuz we're still in May. Um so we'll see what happens. I know it has decreased now, you know, the
previous one uh was I think 1,700 for January, but um I just haven't received them yet. But yeah. Excellent. Okay. Anybody have any other questions on the budget? Okay. Can we get a motion?
I move we accept the budget. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you. Old business. We have the ongoing issues with the HVAC system. So, as you know, we had a uh we had no heat in the building uh in February on one side of the building. We had to shut down the building because
the HVAC system. Reached out to Air Masters, they came. There was a leak. They couldn't do anything because of the snow on the ground. So, finally reached out to them. They came here when I wasn't in the building. I was at town hall. They couldn't do anything. It was
miscommunication. So, I finally called back last week, um explained the situation. They came here, still didn't know what I was talking about. So, luckily I found the notes from 2000 uh in '22 and um the
name of the invoice uh the name of the person who was here in February. So, I spoke to this gentleman. I explained everything again. Still didn't know what he what I was talking about. So, long story short, um he called
the person who was here, who happens to be his son. And um the leaks were inside. Yeah. Okay. So, the son said they'll check some joint thing downstairs and those were where the leaks are.
So, he showed me where the leaks were and how to find a leak. You just look at the fluid on the floor. So, the leaks have been found? Yeah. The leaks have been fixed. So, the leak I know where they the where the joints connect and where the fluids go into the building.
Um so, they were all tightened and that was solved. So, the leaks I thought were the bigger issue in this situation. I thought they had to When they were here February, they It sounded like they had to find leaks. You know, however you find a leak on a pipe,
outside, inside, but it was so simple that I could have done it. I could have tightened the bolt and we would have been all set. So, the other issue is Can I ask you a question? Absolutely. Why tighten the bolt? Because I didn't know that the fluid on the ground was
>> [laughter] >> So, what what what you're telling us now and what I've learned from this this conversation is this that now that you are HVAC professional and okay. In addition to groundhogs and plumbing issues and
you you're now HVAC. I got it. I I I I still But, the thing is they had no note of this leak. There was no note of this leak. When they showed up here when I was at town hall, they thought there was water on the floor. I said, "No, this was noted.
There's a leak in in you guys couldn't do anything in the in the winter because of the snow on the ground." Come to find out, the solution the the answer to this was that the one who was here said, "Yeah, look at the Look at the joint
part in the basement." Well, why didn't they just fix it then? If they already knew where it was. I don't know. Okay. That's what I'm saying. All righty. I won't go into details, but anyway, so unfortunately So, it's fixed? That is fixed. We do
have another issue. I keep going. I'm going to keep going. So, you as you know in this in the in this winter I was having trouble with the units freezing, not defrosting properly. They would get stuck, the ice in the in the units.
So, unit one. So, the leak was in unit two. Unit one had to be shut off completely when the the guy was here uh last week. He showed me what is wrong. The fuse blew on the circuit board.
Unfortunately, it's welded in, so they have to replace the entire thing. Two our fans are broken in the units. Both of them? >> both of them. Okay. It's probably
because of the ice that was built up in there. Um >> [clears throat] >> beyond my knowledge of why they're broken. So, I uh he said, "I'll we'll get a quote for you. This is going to take a while." So, yesterday I hadn't heard anything, so I
called them again. I'm like, "Hey, I need a quote. You guys were here. Please, you know, can I have an update?" So, literally 5 minutes before the meeting, I got a quote in I got a call and then a quote in my email. So, what you see in front of you is a quote for
uh unit one. Uh so, you see that the fan motor uh the cuz there's two fans in the units. And then um the control board that has the fuse. Um uh you see the two uh the listed items to fix the unit. And then the rest is
travel charge, truck charge, don't even know what that means. And uh time and materials, so labor. So, right now they're quoting us uh $2,168.14 for fixing that unit. While he was here, he did mention that
those units should have been 17 in above the ground. I didn't measure the concrete block. I don't know what they are right now. Um and that is probably why we have some of the issues that we've had. We've been here 11 years. I know it snowed last year, so and then the other
thing he mentioned is the wood partitions that are on the There's one on north and south of the units. They should actually be all around. So, um that is something >> Is that for wind?
Wind and snow. Doesn't Uh snow come comes from above, right? >> Well, the thing is the other thing the other thing is when things are melting, they're dripping down the roof. They're going on top of the units outside. Can we put something on top of that cuz I was uh
told to ask um from the maintenance foreman and he was like, "No, you need something on the side." Okay. I don't know. I mean, I know we had there was we hadn't had snow like that in over 10 years, so
um it's definitely a first time, you know, it's first time we experienced that, so >> [sighs and gasps] >> I I I mean, my hands are tied. We do have So, right now that unit that controls the whole side is shut down.
So, there's no air on that side of the building. Hot or cold? Hot or cold, there's nothing. It's it's silent. So, thankfully, it hasn't been too cold. I mean, it should be warmer, but but it hasn't been extremely cold or extremely hot. So, we've been okay,
um but it needs to get fixed. Um I mean, I you know, this is the only coat I have. I don't believe I can go out and shop for clothes. Um so, I'm asking um
if the trustees would uh let me use the library gift fund to pay for the fixing of unit one of the HVAC system outside. So, you just want to fix unit one, you don't want to get the
fan for the other one? You do? No, no, no. Unit one is the only one that we're speaking of. Replace your fan. >> Oh, yeah. And then fix the other fix the No, it's just unit one. So, unit one is currently shut down. So, unit one you need we need the fuse and the two fan
motors. Oh, so the two fan motors are for the one unit? >> Correct. There's only one unit. Unit two is a unit that had the leak. That is stripped. All that needed was a right fan. Okay. Okay. I thought it's the fan in each unit. No, no, no. It's just unit
one. Okay. Okay. Okay. It's completely shut off right now. So, unit one is um So, my only my only question would be how much would it be to replace the whole thing? A whole lot more, I would assume. It looks like you have That was my question the whole time. Well, that's
what I'm saying. Yeah, it sounds like it. But he's but we're only getting a new board and a new and two new fans. So, at this, but how much is it if you were to get a brand new unit completely? A lot of money. You think?
I don't know. How old is this unit? They must have been put in when we moved here. So, I would say 11 years old. >> 11 years old. But they'll last for a while. What is the problem? >> Well, I mean, I'm just asking the question. I don't know the answer. I just You're asking what would it Maybe the board and the motors are the
bulk of the cost. Absolutely. You have to see it. Can you go outside and look at the unit outside? Well, that's what I'm thinking, right? You got two fans in there and then you have the and then you have the the the board. There's not much else. There's not much else. So, at this point for for $2,000, if if it's only
going to be another $500 to get a brand new one, would you just not do that or I would ask for what it would cost to replace the whole unit. Find out what it is. But then that would be the oddball of all the cuz we have four units.
Yeah, but then replace that one and then and then as something happens to the other ones, then you we could replace them. >> [snorts] >> You know what I mean? Because if you're going to spend if you're going to spend $2,100 to fix it, and that's the majority of the
So, you want me to find out a cost of a new unit completely. Right, what would it be? Right, do you you see what we're coming at? Like just like just replace that one unit and see you know, see what it would cost. I mean, they could tell you, "Oh, it's going to be you know, $7,000." Then we'll be like, "You know
what? The 2,000 looks great." But if they tell you, "Hey, it's only going to be $3,000 to get a whole brand new unit." >> Right. What else is in there besides the control board? Probably not. The coils, just the two fans 3,000.
Yeah, just looked at the 3,000 for a 23,000 BTU. And that's a brand new one, too. So, that's I mean, that's just my That was my question. My my thought would be if it's only three if it's if you're paying over 60 what 66% of the cost for replacement parts,
then you should just get you should maybe be better off just getting a brand new one. Right, that's what I mean. I mean, it's kind of like you Does that include labor, John? The price? No. Well, even if we added the right, even if we just added the labor. I mean,
So, the labor for this is 6 * 1.85. That's a bit of money. Well, I can imagine because you have to go in, you have to take out I mean, I you would think the labor would be less cuz you're taking this thing out. You got to put this thing [laughter] in. Like you would think. I think it's worth worth actually and even if you looked at our
maintenance factors, if they're going to go over time, Yeah. [clears throat] Plus you get a warranty Yeah, you you get a warranty with it. >> Right, this one has no warranty. Yeah. No. Well, though it says it's not covered under warranty. Right. So, the new unit should give you a I
don't know how long the warranty could be. 6 months or a year Yeah. It sounds like that's a lot stubble though. I don't know the price of that's 3,000. And then we got there are 7 something. Yeah.
I think it's worth asking the question just to see, right? Just to see. So now make a decision today. See what the cost is of a new unit. Um Well, and then so the lead time is only 5 to 7 working days.
So I wonder if that's the lead time for a new unit because now we're going to get into It's going to get warm. >> It's going to get warm. It's going to get warm quick. >> Plus they have to order it. Well, that's what I'm thinking. This says lead time is 5 to 7 working days, but that's with
these for the fan and the but who knows if that's the lead time for a new unit. >> Mhm. So Um I don't think it would have to be back ordered. I mean it would be the supply chain's pretty much back at full strength. >> At full strength, so 5 to 7 days.
But then that would mean that we'd have to wait till the next meeting. >> Unless we go up to a certain person to Oh. Up to a certain And yes, you could authorize Yeah, we could authorize up to a certain amount. >> Yeah. I would be fine with that.
That way you're not waiting around till middle of June and then July before So I think the I think the question is is for the total total and I mean total like labor, travel, like the the absolute total that we would
um approve would be What? >> [laughter] >> What is anyone What What are you thinking? It's probably going to come out close to 4,000. I would say up to 4,000. Up to 4,000. I would say four. Four. Okay.
Okay. And what if they're like we don't replace entire units for whatever we Well, then I think you we got to get somebody to pay to do this. Can we get another quote? There are a number of Mitsubishi dealers in the area, too. I I'm trying to think of the connection
between the unit and the company. Like I don't know if it's Well, if it's not under warranty anymore, there really isn't any other connection unless there's a specific service contract that they have to come out. Uh Well,
well, now I think about it, it's the it won't work because the uh I have to use the company because how we control it is through a software through them on our computer. >> Okay, so we are tied to them. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. Okay. Yeah. That That does make sense. >> Um They designed a program that uh now is web-based, but used to be a Java program, um that controls how we control the the units. Okay.
So, I would I would just get the quote and I mean, you know, see what they say about replacing the whole unit. And if it's above $4,000, no. We'll just do the replacement parts. Sure. Now, what we run into what if it's like
$100? >> [laughter] >> It is it's You know, um I mean This is buying you a little bit of time to get to so that we can get to the next meeting. Mhm. Right? Because if if it falls under the $4,000, then you can just go, "Yep, just get me the new unit.
Go forward and move on." And then if it's going to be over that, then I think we we then we really need to think about like do we want to replace it or do we want to I think you kind of get to the point where like, you know, is it worth putting all that money into the new into your car or do we just trade it in and get a new one? Like if you I think they
kind of like >> [laughter] >> we have to kind of wait. But, it would depend. Like, if it's like $4,030 and 26 cents, like, maybe we'll just do it. But, I mean, we can't we can't do >> It's the same situation as with the the dehumidifiers in the basement.
>> Right. We ended up just getting both. >> Well, that's what I mean. And I mean, the other one's great. So, we you tighten the bolt, fix the leak, so that one's good. And then the other two seem to be fine. So, if this one's a problem right now, then maybe who knows? Maybe the water happens to fall on this one
the most or whatever. Who knows? Or maybe it works the hardest, but >> Well, I will say it's north facing, but it's the one close most north. So, things were melting because the sun doesn't hit it. So, So, that could be it. So, the fan could have, you know, who knows what
what would have happened. But, I mean, it I think it's worth an ask. Okay. Mhm. Yeah. Okay. So, um we can just say that we'll we'll approve um yeah, we'll either approve the repairs
in the amount of $2,168.14 or a new unit up to $4,000. >> Okay. And then um I just need A motion as stated. I'm not saying that exactly.
>> [laughter] >> All in favor. Aye. Aye. Thank you. Does that that work? >> It does. Okay. And so, then we'll And then that should come with a warranty. So, then we should be should be good to go. Okay. Okay. Thank you.
Okay. Now, we have new business. We have our um new children's room assistant. So, I just want to give an update. We have a new children's room assistant. Uh Laura Pelletier is now um our children's room assistant. She started last Monday on
the 4th. and um I handed over the story time reigns to her last week. This week she did story time by herself, and it was amazing. Even I wanted to sit here and to learn about the letter F. I was just going to say, is she carrying on the letter F? >> Yes, she is a former teacher in the New
Bedford public school system. So, she is uh get um coming on really fast, doing things really quickly learning everything that um we have or learning our systems here at the library.
So, I'm pleased to to to say that we are finally, knock on all the wood in this building, fully fully staffed. Um so, um when you're out in the on the in the library, please introduce yourself to her. She will be in the
children's room. Um and she is absolutely wonderful. She is doing right now a little scavenger hunt in the children's room to get to know her. So, she has images of her favorite things in the in the in the children's room that they can go find, and she has
all sorts of goodies for them. Yes. So, it it was a a really cute way to introduce yourself to to the children. Yeah. And then this story time uh this week we had 26 people for her first story time. [snorts] So, our numbers are are are going are being steady for story time, and we will in
we will introduce more programs as as the weeks go on and the months go by. As you know, summer's happening, so that's we have a lot of programs booked. Outside sources. So, that's that's all I wanted to say about Laura. So, Welcome to Laura. Happy
to have her on board. Looking forward to seeing what she does with the Yes. children's room. Absolutely. Next [clears throat] item is this year's summer reading. So, I just want to give you a quick update a quick preview of our summer reading. So,
once again, we did our the third and fourth graders at the elementary school did a bookmark contest. So, the summer reading theme this year is plan to seed reads. So, 10 bookmarks from each grade were
selected. They are now they are posted even though voting doesn't begin until May 18th and it runs through May 30th and you can vote in-house and online. The top five
top five bookmarks of each grade will be printed and you can pick those up between June 15th and between June 15th and July 3rd. Which leads me to summer reading startup
sign up. So, school is now being pushed forward. So, we're still retaining our summer sign ups even though they're physically in school. Um So, summer reading sign ups will start June 15th and that will run until June
29th. But we accept sign ups well into July. So, you don't if you want the special treat that I won't say, those we only have 150 of. So, if you want to sign up for summer reading, you know, come early so you can get the special treat
that is available. And then we'll be doing the beads and the scratch tickets. So, nine and above will get a scratch ticket including adults. And that starts you can start collecting your scratch ticket or beads starting the week of July June 29th and
it will run for seven weeks until the last day for pick up for scratch tickets or beads will be August 15th. Our summer concert series is it will be back. We'll have seven weeks starting on
uh, July 1st with Pearly Baker and it will run until, uh um, August 12th and our summer concert series are Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Um, and then lastly, I am currently
booking programs for children. So, the friends, um, the support that they've been receiving, I have been able to book, uh, eight programs. Um, I'm going to book a few more, um, and those have been posted on our
website and I've also created those flyers this week for those programs. Some will require sign-ups, but there'll be more information as the as the weeks go on. So, summer is it's going to be here even though the weather is not really summery, um, but we are we're in good standing.
Everything is planned, um, and then Lauren recently just put a theme summer summertime story time each week. So, that will be posted shortly. Um, so, yeah, I just wanted to provide an update on summer reading and we look forward to the theme. We we enjoy it,
especially being in the primary community, we can run wild with that with playing seeds, so. That sounds cool. Yes, it was. Last year it was level up and it was I was It was hard, you know, video games and but this is really cool. And there's so much you can do, um, creative
creatively with, um, designs or, you know, making the doors, you We always come up with a nice theme on it. I know, it's good. Children's room doors, so we're we're excited about that. So, any questions or about the summer coming up? Sounds jam-packed. And we've been
planning for the summer since fall, so. >> [laughter] >> And then it it goes as quickly as it arrives. >> Absolutely does. All right, anybody have any questions or anything on the summer reading? Okay, moving on. Um, the next item of business is the
annual our annual selection of officers. Um now that the uh, uh town elections have been um have taken place and uh John was uh reelected and so was Jerry reelected again. Congratulations. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Yes, it was
>> [clears throat] [laughter] >> Yes, we appreciate that. So, for the secretary, um we need a nomination for secretary. Jerry. Sure.
Jerry for secretary. John John nominates Jerry. Do we have a second? Second. Jerry, do we accept? We do. All in favor. I. I. All right, [laughter] thank you. Um as for the chair, it has been my pleasure to be the chair, but I I need a
break. >> [laughter] >> So, I do I do I I you know, I I enjoyed it and but I I need a break. So, I am going to nominate Alan to be the chair of the trustees.
And Alan, do you Yes. All in favor. >> I. I. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Now, would you would you like me to finish the meeting? Okay. I don't want to get up and look like a complete idiot. Now, put your back to
the camera. >> [laughter] >> That's what I thought I should have done. That's right. So, the only thing that we have left is the director's report. Um I If you have anything to let you Um I
Well, so the town administrator a new town administrator reached out and wanted a tour of the library. So, that will happen on this this coming Monday. Um I I know the strategic plan has been kind of put on the backburner because of dealing with um vacancies and and
term planning. So, I'm going to put that in the forefront once again. Um I have all our Google form all our forms that we received in the sensors are now online in a database. Not it's not for public viewing. So, I'm going to start putting a draft
together, pulling things and it's it's back on the on my radar. And then I just want to highlight some programs that we are having. So, this Saturday we have the grass head program. I did the grass
head program about a month ago and it was so well received. So, what it is it's it's nylons with grass seed and sawdust and it grows into like a chia pet. If you know what a chia pet is. So, it was a hit. I I have a ton of material so I'm going to do it again
this Saturday. You know, we have story time with Miss Laura on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. We do have a craft program. It's a green square crochet workshop. We still have some spots open and that is on um
May uh 30th at 10:00 a.m. But you do need to sign up for that. And then lastly we are welcoming back the Ford Middle School Chorus. They will be here on June 1st at 6:00 p.m. Hopefully we'll have beautiful weather and they'll be performing outside on our gazebo.
>> Oh, that's great. So, that's all I have for director's report. >> Okay, just a plug on the chorus. They've been everywhere. Oh, yeah? And then they've they've been a lot Really? Brian Chamberlin who I've known since he was a kid. has has just done a fabulous job with
those kids. They're terrific. Excellent. Excellent. So, they're are they going to be here for maybe 45 minutes or so? It's just so it's nice. Kind of our kick off informal concert. Exactly. Do you need any help with the
data you're collecting for the year? It's all set. I have the some staff have been putting it into you and it's all in here. No, interpreting it or No, I pretty much So, I pretty much the the MLS consultant that was here
did a good a good amount of the heavy work. So, I'm just going to take what I received from the census and see what is comparable. How do you want to use this information? Yeah. But, once I physically sit down and figure out
everything, I'll definitely if I need Can we help calmly? I will. I absolutely will. I absolutely will. >> Which brings me to are we doing committees today? Uh so, we're going to put that on the next agenda because then Alan will be the chair and then he can
do what he would like with the committees. So, yes. So, Would you like or let me ask it this way, would it be appropriate to have somebody from the committee be here when the town administrator comes or is he just coming for a walk through the school?
He's just coming through a walk through. I don't if if anyone wants to, I'm not going to stop you. I'm just showing him the property. They asked if you needed an hour. I was like, we're not big. And there's unless he wants to have a conversation with me.
But, I think he just wants to Yeah, if Absolutely. I think it would be great. I think it would be great. Yeah, absolutely. I think it would be great. I'd like to meet him. Yeah, absolutely. Yes, I think the time that the Yeah, absolutely. Um
and yeah, I'll I'll I'll send you the time that the appointment is. I don't Give him a library card while he's here. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> There you go. There you go. Absolutely. Do we want to set the next meeting? >> Yeah. Okay. So, we're in June.
Are we going back to Friday? Friday is fine with me. But, I'm I'm just asking. I'm just here facilitating the rest of the meeting here. Friday is certainly fine with me. So, the only Friday I'm here next year next year >> Next year. >> [laughter]
>> Next next month is the 12th. Other than that, there's a holiday and then I'm working on Saturday, so I have I'm taking the Fridays off. So, [snorts] the 12th works for me. I'm fine with the 12th. Okay. Yep. You're fine? 12th is fine with me. Yeah.
Okay, so then we will do Friday, June 12th at Do 11? Sure. Fine with me. 11:00 works for 11:00. Friday, June 12th at 11:00. Does that work for you, Nancy? Um is 11:00 good? 11:30 would be
[laughter] Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, we could do noon. No, no, no. Just just challenge me. Yeah, that's okay. Is Is 11:30 give you enough time? Yes. That's fine. Okay, so Friday Our next meeting will be Friday, June 12th at 11:30. Got you. Does anyone have any
other anything to discuss? Any other business? I would just like to say a major thank you. Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank [applause] you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate it.
You certainly gave this job all and more. And more. You certainly have. Thank you. Thank you so much. And thank you for staying and coaching. It Oh, yeah. It will It'll be different. It'll be different sitting over there. That's okay. Um if we don't have any other business,
then I we just need a motion. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? Aye. This May 14th, 2026 meeting of the Acushnet Public Library Board of Trustees is officially adjourned. It is 2:45. Thank you.
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