Minutes from November 7, 2012
The Board Meeting for the Trustees of Brown Memorial Library was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Atttendance: Mary Chris Duncan, Garry Kalajian, Patty Furness, Lorraine MacLeod, Bea Howe, Connie Scheffy, Rod Jones, Meg Fearnley, Nola Jordan
1. The secretary’s report was accepted as presented.
2. A motion was made and passed to accept donations to Brown Memorial Library in October in the amount of $546.95. $282.00 of that amount was the proceeds from the Columbus Day weekend book sale. Another $200.00 was a generous contribution from the Masons after the fund-raising dinner. Bea also reported that the Board of Selectmen approved our budget and that it now goes to the Budget Committee for their recommendation. A new computer has been purchased for the librarian’s office and will be installed soon. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as presented.
3. Meg reported that 420 people, children and adults, participated in trick or treating this year. Each child was able to choose a book as well as candy. Bea’s photos are available on the library’s Facebook page. Meg also noted that the number of e-book downloads continues to grow.
4. Under Old Business, it was agreed that Steve Patten can trim the branches that are overhanging the roof. He believes that should solve our problem and that we do not need to remove any trees at this point.
5. We also have a number of curling shingles both on the side and on the back of the roof. Bruss Construction said that Colonial Roofing installed the roof in 1999. They used IKO shingles and we have discovered that there is in fact a class action lawsuit against them for these shingles. Filing a warranty claim, though, would be quite involved. James Stratton has looked at the roof and recommends replacing it. Before we make any decision Lorraine will ask the roofer who worked on her house to give us his assessment of the situation.
6. Under New Business, Lorraine announced that she would not be running for a second term this March. Garry will consider running for her seat. Nola’s term is also expiring and she is willing to run again.
7. Garry raised a question about the noise level in the library as some people may prefer to work in a quieter environment. Unfortunately, we don’t have room to set aside one area as a quiet zone, and the Trustees agree with Meg that we want the library to be a welcoming place where patrons feel comfortable greeting their neighbors.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 5, at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nola Jordan, Secretary