Monday, January 26, 2026

Accept Friends $10,000 donation

A motion to accept the $10,000 was made and approved. The vote count was not given.

The trustees were asked to accept $10,000.00 from the Friends of the library. They also plan to set a meeting date and topics with the Friends.

Review of library trust funds

The library trustees talked about the trust funds and the income managed by the Trustees of the Trust Funds (the TOT, a separate town group). They discussed how to improve reporting to the town. They plan to set an annual meeting between the TOT and the library trustees. Funds listed: Isabell Paul-Mellon Fund, restricted principal, quarterly payments of about $4,000. Ewing fund (1969), restricted principal of $1,738, with $556 available and $100 a year. Battles Fund (1984), restricted principal of $10,408, with $3,316.14 available and $500 a year. Broad Head fund, an expendable trust of $14,215, with $4,554 available, for library books, at $700 a year. To draw money, the library sends an email and a copy of the invoice to the TOT. The minutes say money takes time to arrive from the funds. A trustee is looking into the Ewing fund.

Treasurer report

The December statements show $1,772.39 in the general fund and $5,210.45 in the donation account. The petty cash drawer holds $538.94. The December manifest (list of bills paid) shows $4,518.40 in expenses and $0 in income.

FY26 budget open items

The trustees talked about open items and how to keep the books properly. Open items were utilities, which include the HVAC (heating and cooling) project, and supplies. The library director and staff will go over staff hours again. The trustees asked why the library has a donation account and what it can be used for. One trustee will ask the NH Library Trustees Association. A line item budget is needed for a staff member, and the trustees will talk with that person. The trustees also need to find an accountant to help sort out earlier years in Quicken, the accounting software.

FY27 budget plan

The trustees plan to create a full line item budget to present in April.

Bylaws and MOUs

An MOU is a written agreement between two groups. The trustees plan to draft an MOU for the Board of Selectmen. A draft MOU for the Friends of the library is on hold.

Library interior project

Updates to the children's room and the sitting room are on hold. The library has quotes for both, but the children's room quote would need to be updated. The estimate for design, furniture and treatment for all of it is $30,000.

HVAC project payment

The town paid $8,000 to Key for the HVAC (heating and cooling) work. Key starts work on 1/27/26.