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[music] [music] >> Today is >> [clears throat] >> June 12th, 2026 and this is the meeting of the Acushnet Public Library Board of Trustees. We are being audio and video taped and we have a quorum.

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The first thing on our agenda is the minutes from the last meeting. Anybody any questions or issues? Motion to accept. >> Motion to accept. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> All set.

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Next thing on our agenda is the budget. >> All right. So, there are only two pay cycles left in FY 26. So, this Monday will be the first and then the following will be on June

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29th, I believe. And there's one day after [laughter] that. So, nothing much has changed. With salaries, right now we should be at 92 or percent spent and we're a little bit below for the

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technicians and for the children's room assistants due to vacancies. So, in total we are 87.4% spent. So, we are in good, good, good, in a good place for that. Regarding operating,

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I do have a few items that were paid. So, in building and grounds, I am now completely spent out there. I paid the first invoice from Ear Masters

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when they came to fix the leak there. So, $273.03 was paid out of the building and grounds fund and that's why you see it as a completely spent out. And then uh 400 401.61

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was used for the library gift fund. So, we totaled the Ear Masters invoice was $674.64. Um and then uh office supplies were almost close to being spent out. I had to buy um soap, paper towels, and water. So,

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and I actually just bought more water cuz we we drink a lot of water. So, um I'm hoping that will be completely spent out um come uh our next meeting. Other than that, our uh

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uh operating total is 87.6 uh percent spent and then in total for everything both salaries and operating we're at 87.4, which is so simple. >> [laughter] >> Um and that's it regarding uh the budget

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for uh for FY26. Any questions about this past one? >> No. Are there any questions? >> No. >> Is that something we need a motion on? I don't We do. Okay. Thank you, Judith. Uh so, motion to accept the uh budget.

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>> I make a motion to accept the budget. >> Second. Seconded. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Passes. The HVAC system. >> All right. So, at our last meeting we discussed

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either replacing the HVAC unit um of was um found to be uh broken with a motherboard and a part that was in it. Um so you I was asked to receive a quote to see how much it would be to replace it. If it was over $4,000 to just go ahead and get

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those parts and have it fixed. So um with a lot of going back and forth with Air Masters, people are on vacation. Um so I I didn't get an answer right away. The estimate for a replacement of the unit, which would also require replacement of the piping in the

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building, uh was between 20 and $30,000. So I went ahead and said, "Okay, thank you. >> [laughter] >> We are going to go with our original quote um to replace the motherboard and

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the the fan in the unit. Um so I said, "Go right ahead. Let's Let's get that started." Um so I waited because the gentleman was on vacation. And I was like, "You know, once I get settled, we can set an appointment." So come to my surprise on

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Monday last week, I had to It was the only time that was feasible for me to take leave. Uh vacation time, I should say. So I left early on Monday um and I also wasn't feeling well. Um and I got a text from staff saying,

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"Air are here to fix the unit." And they Staff asked Air Masters, "Did you guys make an appointment?" They said, "No." So So anyway, they came They went ahead to fix the unit and I'm happy to say that the first unit on the

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north side of the building is now working. So we now have air uh heat, air um and AC in the public bathroom, the periodical room, the hallway, the staff entryway, the two uh study rooms, and the last unit in

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adult fiction. So everything up and running now and thankfully because it is really humid today and yesterday. So, unfortunately, Air Masters doesn't send an invoice digitally, so they send it by mail. I haven't received the invoice for

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the installation and the labor yet. So, next meeting I will update everyone on how much it cost. Um so, let's just say I hope that this situation is out of the way for you know,

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it's it's been resolved. Um any questions about the HVAC? >> Should we be with the age of those starting to be proactive on thinking about what we need to do as we go along cuz I guess those are

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what about 11 years old? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> They were installed when we moved here and that was in 2015, December 2015. >> Do does the town use Air Masters in other places or do they have other people? >> I don't know. >> I wonder if that's something we could

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find out >> [snorts] >> who's >> I know the Council on Aging just had a bid to have theirs either fixed or replaced. I'm not sure. I I saw it on the agenda, but I didn't read it. I didn't listen I didn't watch the the the entire

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video. Um >> It would have to go out to bid. What's being that large a place like >> I mean, if it cost that much to replace one unit, the issue with the units, I'm not a professional here, but they're

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on concrete slabs. They should have been installed on a metal frame. Cuz that's what I've been seeing as I'm out and about and I'm looking at other HVACs as well to miss was to look at and >> [laughter] >> They start catching your eye. >> I I was walking the [laughter] dog

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and I was walking the dog and I'm looking among Rock Avenue South Avenue back. I'm walking the dog and there's this triple tenement and I'm looking and like that HVAC is on a unit is on a metal frame. So it allows air flow in and out.

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In and out. So I'm like that's I mean the height the gentleman said that the in the winter that the height was off and that And that the the there's no air flow and that's when ice and like in the winter the ice was accumulating because it's a

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concrete slab. If it was a open frame or you know or a frame with a grade on it or with drainage, I don't think [snorts] we would have that issue. >> Okay. >> So I mean you're looking at a big cost. I I believe this would have be a a capital

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expense. >> Oh, sure. >> To to I mean I could reach out to see what um the the town suggest, you know, but they're fine. They're okay right now. I mean I know money is very very very very tight right now.

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Um they're they're working. So >> Yeah. >> You know, maybe down the line um you know, we can investigate further. >> Yeah, I'm just I'm just thinking, you know, how what are the people doing if they

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having luck and if maybe that issue of raising those up is something that ought to be looked at. >> I mean the whole thing is the units would have to be taken up. The concrete would have to be destroyed but the the piping situation like I I

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don't even know that. >> Yeah. Maybe we should give some thought to that as it comes along. >> Okay. >> Okay. Great. Well, I'm glad it's fixed. >> Yes, it's fixed. It's cool on that side. It's no longer stuffy, so we're we're we're doing it. I mean, the big test is

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the winter. That was the big issue is we never had that amount of snow and cold in the 10 years we were here. So, it never happened. So, to to see it, you know, ice was just accumulating accumulating accumulating because there's no way for the ice to go. The

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the earmaster did say to have we have a partition on one side, but to have it built around. That could be a a a solution, but but once again, above my absolute

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knowledge of >> Sounds good. Well, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I guess the next matter is the FY27 budget update. >> Uh so, um as you know, budget discussion is

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always ongoing so town meeting. So, in May, I met with the new town administrator. Um he toured the library on May 18th. During that tour, um

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we also had impromptu discussion of the FY27 budget with Genie, the also the town administrator. Um so, we had a meeting. Alan was here, also. Um

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and there were a couple of items that were changed by them. Um what you have in front of you is what was presented at the Board of Trustees meeting on 3/20, and then in the new column on the fiscal year 2027

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is what was discussed and approved on by the Board of Selectman uh in FinCom on their meeting on uh June 10th. So, this just happened and I confirmed because I I watched the news.

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So, the bottom line number um is what was approved. They didn't go line by line in their meetings. Um so, I just wanted to see what was changed. So, what I presented to you back in March um so, the tech salaries and so, the both

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tech salaries the tech library technicians and the children's room salary um they're now reflective of FY26 budget because that is going with the the contract that is still valid for the

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technicians um because that contract hasn't been approved. In the event that contract gets approved, the town will um Excuse me. It's how how appropriate the money for the those raises that are

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are um in the new contract. So, that's why that number um is the exactly the same as FY26. Um The other So, what happened with

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the the money that was taken from those lines were added to our expenses so that way we could meet MAR. So, $130 was added to energy. Um $1,000 was added to building and grounds and another thousand was added

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to our materials line, which you know is very important. Um so, that new number we have for um FY27 is 309 889,

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which puts us above MAR. Um and MAR is 309 173. So, we are $716 above MAR. So, this is bare-bones. This

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um I I appreciate that the town is thinking of us making sure we meet MAR. Um so, this is bare-bones. We are doing exactly what we need to do to support the town um regarding uh the budget.

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Um so, that's it for for FY '27. Um so, this will be presented uh the number will be presented at town meeting, as you know. Um any questions about this new number? >> Just one comment. When we when we talked to the uh two town administrators, they

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um they explained to us that what would happen is when those contracts were approved, there would be money that would uh come through town meeting to uh support the increases. So, we wouldn't get stuck with the increases um

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without the money to do it. >> We don't have much wiggle room with the >> Absolutely not. We are >> We never had a budget this close to >> We are there to we're We're there. >> [laughter] >> Um >> Um

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Let's hope we don't have a problem. >> [clears throat] >> Anybody else? I think we should have a motion to approve the uh budget. >> Motion to approve the budget. >> Second. >> I second. >> All those in favor?

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>> Aye. >> Okay. Well, So, the next item on the agenda is uh reviewing the uh standing committees. Um does that Before we start, does anybody have any particular issues or changes that they want to do? Jen and I

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have talked about some changes just because of the our changes in positions. But does anybody have any changes they're looking for? >> No. >> Okay. So, John's on facilities. >> Sorry.

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>> Who's going to do it? >> Um Elizabeth is probably now the second most qualified. She's not on the board, so >> [laughter] >> I know. I love that she She's learned a lot from you.

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>> [laughter] >> So, on on finance we want to have Jen and Nancy. Jen for governance credentials. Alan and Eileen on planning and personnel. Jerry for monitoring finance committee and so we're going to stay with snow removal.

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Although I did absolutely nothing last year with snow removal. And then yeah, it was [laughter] great. It was one of the easiest jobs I had. And then on spokesperson for the board at public meetings, we're going to do

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myself and Jen as an alternate. And that's mostly because I have to miss town meeting. I'm going to be on vacation. Any questions or thoughts on that? >> Yeah, like the third one down. Alan and Eileen are on what? >> Oh, right here. Yeah. >> Personnel and planning.

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>> Okay. >> I've got a copy. I can give it to you, too. >> Uh okay. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> And then this one's changed to Alan and me as an >> I miss the snow removal. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, the heaviest winter and I didn't have to do anything.

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Thank you, DPW. >> I love the way it took 11 years. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Well, that's because you had competent people doing it. With me throwing in the middle, who knows what would have happened. So, if there aren't any other questions,

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can we have a motion to accept the standing committees as outlined? >> Motion to accept as outlined. >> Second. >> I second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Great. Anybody else under old business or other business before we move on to the

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director's report? >> I don't have anything. >> Okay, director's report. >> All right. Um so, uh moving um going to talk about a lot about summer reading. So, we've been very very busy with that. Uh we are all set minus fifth

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grade um for our summer reading book display. So, we have all the Cushman Elementary School um lists for uh in middle school for uh their summer reading list. There's a wonderful display in the children's room that Laura did. Um

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we also put set aside uh those items and we marked them with the grade level plus the AR points. >> Um I do want to say that the schools also shouted out that display on social media >> and thanked the library for everything

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that they did setting up the areas. There was a picture >> Yes. Yes. >> social media. So, they did shout out the library. They did shout out the library for for helping out with that. >> Excellent. Excellent. Oh, let me turn it >> [laughter] >> Um

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so, once we get information about fifth grade, we'll either put it in the children's room or put it where the middle school uh even though technically it will We'll see what happens. Um and then um we've been working on our flyers for summer reading, our sign up

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sheets for summer reading. So on Monday Laura will be going for the first time to the elementary school to announce the bookmark winners for third and fourth grade. At that time I went ahead and photocopied about 500 of our little

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flyers that explain summer reading and on the backside it has a list of all the programs that we have coming up in the next two months. So that will be handed out to at least the elementary school students. And then we'll have that also in house.

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Summer reading sign up start on Monday. Everything is all set. I have stations for sign up to make it easier for staff. And then we'll have the sign up sheets for program some some programs require sign up. So we've been very busy on that and then we'll post it on social media.

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And then on top of all the summer excitement errors so speedy the first part of C aid as new reporting errors will start on July 1st. Unfortunately Baker and Taylor went out of business

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which is the software that we would use to report. So there is a training for a new platform and I have training for on June 16th of next week. Um and it's

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You know, it's it's our busiest time so our whole shelf starting to fill up again. People are coming in. It'll be interesting to see though because school doesn't officially end until the 25th, 24th, 25th even though we're starting sign ups next

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Monday and a lot of libraries are doing that also. So it might be busier after school. And regarding building because you know I love talking about the building. We had an issue with yellow jackets.

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Um they were in our staff bathroom. They were massive um and I had to call Proficient and then on that same day they also showed up on the other side of the building in that bathroom. So, Proficient came and they

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sprayed the outside perimeter when the the windows are for the the restrooms. So, they sprayed it around. I haven't seen anything yet. Um but it's good that we do have a a quarterly plan with them to we have traps outside and so forth um that they just come within a

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day they were here to take care of the the issue. Um so, I just wanted to bring that to attention. And in the past we've had issues with yellow jackets [clears throat] specifically on this corner here. >> [snorts] >> Um but that um was the the

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besides the HVAC the the issue with um the building uh this past month. Um so, um other than that I just wanted to discuss some of the events coming up. Um so, this Saturday we have a first time uh Miss Laura will be doing a

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design-your-own water bottle. So, she has water bottles um and um you're you can design them with stickers or um acrylic pens and then we seal it for you and and you can walk away with a a new water bottle. So, that is this Saturday

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the 13th at 11:00. Um and then next week uh summer reading starts. Uh sign-ups start on Monday um and then we will will be closed on Friday uh June 19th for Juneteenth. Um and then that Saturday uh June 20th

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at 11:00 we have Lego Club. And then our unofficial uh kickoff to summer music um on Wednesday, June 24th at 6:00 we have Judy and Mary De Rossi uh singing songs from the uh

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Great American Songbook. And then on Saturday, June 27th, Miss Laura will also be doing a design your own tote. So, she has canvas totes that they can go ahead and decorate as they see fit. And that will be on Saturday, June 27th at 11:00.

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I just want to mention there will be no story time on June 24th, but summer story time will start on June July 1st. So, Miss Laura is going to be doing a themed story time each week in

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the summer. And they're pretty big themes, so like superhero story time. So, it's not essentially just summer themed. And then our first summer reading program that our first summer reading program or big

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event is Toe Jam Band. They will be here Friday, June 3rd at 2:00 p.m. And then our summer concert series will kick off on Wednesday, July 1st at 6:00 p.m. with Pearly Baker. And that will run until

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August 12th. So, that will be every Wednesday at 6:00. And that's it for director's report. Any questions on the director's report? >> [snorts] >> No. >> Sounds busy. >> Yeah, that sounds

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>> It's These two months they are extremely busy, but they fly by. >> Sounds like Laura's uh getting settled in. >> Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. >> Good. Okay. Any questions or any other business or

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anything I've forgotten? Oh, good. And uh why don't we set a time for our next meeting? And July 10th, which is a Friday at 11:30.

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And we're looking for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. >> I second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> [music]