1981-05-21 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 05/21/1981
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Neil B. Olson, Lester C. Ayers, Richard L. BuckIcy, Mary K.
Cormors, John R. CooCan, Katherine L. Fanning, Dr. Edna M. MeGlynn, Roger E. Morency, and
Nancy A. White
Board members absent:
Others present: Catherine Von Sonnenberg, League of Women Voters
Recorder: Barbara Smith
Regular Meeting
Board of Trustees - Beverly Public Library
May 21, 1981
Roll Call of Mernbers:
Present were: Mary K. Connors, Dr. Edna MeGlynn, Lester Ayers, Nancy White, Jack CooCan, Kay
Fanning, Richard Buekley, Roger Morency and Neil Olson. Also present were: Esther Calish, Barbara
Smith, Catherine van Sonnenberg from the League of Women Voters, Joanne Menesale from the
Beverly Times and staff members.
The following documents were distributed: April financial report; April statistics and analysis packet.
Mr. Moreney presided because Mr. Olson arrived after 8 p.m.
Minutes of the March meeting were accepted as presented. Motion was made by Mr. BuckIcy and
seconded by Mr. CooCan. Motion carried. There are no minutes for April because there was no
quorum.
Committee Reports:
Administration: No report.
Personnel: Mrs. Calish reported that Robin Fenn and Suzanne Niehelson are to be married in June.
Finance: Mr. CooCan stated that the Finance Committee had met on Tuesday, May 19. It was to be
the recommendation of this Committee that if the 25% cut is implemented, the Main Library close
the stated hours appearing on the analysis sheet and the Farms Branch dose with the exception of
whatever voluntary service can be obtained. Dr. MeGlynn had expressed her concern about the lack
of Saturday hours. However, this was before the Trustees had received the Mayor's letter stating that
he was transferring the state aid money to the library's accounts as follows: $13,000 to Pan-time aides
and pages; $2,000 to Custodians overtime and $3,691 to Books. Mr. Coogan expressed his
displeasure that the Mayor had cut by line item and had restored by line item without consulting either
the Trustees or the Librarian about the implications of these actions. Although the restoration of the
pan-time and custodians overtime mounts will allow us to go back to the level of service in our
original 20% budget, we will probably have to request supplemental for fuel and lighting. The
restoration also does not address the cut made in the bookmobile line item. Therefore, we really have
taken a 25% cut since this state aid was intended for book purchase in FY 81/82 to allow us to
qualify for state aid the following year. The Mayor indicated verbally to several Trustees that if the
State comes through with bail-out money, he would restore this $18,691 and supplemental funds.
Mr. Ayers agreed that we must make dear that we expect to share in any funds made available by a
state bail-out.
It was agreed that Mr. Olson would be the spokesperson at the meeting of the Finance Committee
of the Aldermen on Friday, May 22. In his absence, Mr. Coogan, as Chairman of our Finance
Committee, would speak for the Board. Mr. Moreno posed the question that if the Aldermen present
us with an either/or situation in regard to more cuts, what would be our strategy. It was the
consensus of the Board that our reply would be that we need to have all necessary information and
then that decision would be made among the full Board.
Mr. Buckley moved that the Recommendation of the Finance Committee be placed on file. Motion
seconded by Mrs. Fanning and carded.
1251h Anniversary: Mrs. Calish reported that we had a few hundred dollars left in this special account
but that she had not decided on which project it would be spent. She will make suggestions at a later
date.
Nancy White reported that the Fine Arts Reception at Montserrat School had been a huge success
with a much larger attendance than anticipated. All four bank presidents were on hand to present the
awards. She expressed gratitude to Esther and to Montserrat for their work.
Report of Librarian: Mrs. Calish called attention to the amount of money we are returning to the
General Fund, about $500 each month. She also pointed out the high circulation of records and the
AV equipment borrowed.
Mr. Coogan asked if comparative circulation figures from the previous year and five years ago could
be shown on the statistics.
Mrs. Calish reported on two revisions of the state laws on which the Brookline trustees are working:
that cities be permitted to set up revolving funds without having the State Legislature pass on it, and
that when state aid becomes available, it be deposited directly in the library account rather than in the
General Fund.
Communications: The letter from the Mayor was entered into the record.
New Business: Set hours for summer schedule: the consensus was to wait until the June meeting
when the budget would be more definite. Mrs. Calish asked everyone to look over their analysis
packets before then so that hours could be decided at that time.
Mrs. Fanning announced that the Friends of the Farms Library were having a Flea Market on Sunday,
May 31 (rain date June 7) from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Farms lawn.
Public Presentation to, discussion with the Board: Fran Penta reminded the Board of how much the
staff depends on them for their support. This is a very difficult time because the public does not fully
understand what is happening and the staff is at the forefront of their misgivings and complaints.
Upon motion of Mr. Coogan, seconded by Mr. Buckley, the meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. The next
regular meeting will be Thursday, June 18, 1981 at 7:45 p.m.
Barbara Smith
Recorder
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR PETER F. FORTUNATO - Mayor
LINDA E. PALUZZI-Secretary
Telephone (617) 922-3311
May 18, 1981
Honorable Board of Aldermen
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear honorable Board:
I hereby request a transfer of Eighteen Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-One Dollars ($18,691.00)
to the following library accounts:
$13,000 - Part time aides and pages
2,000 - Overtime ~ Custodians
3,691 - Books
from account "State Aid to Library."
Said sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Library Board of Trustees. Attached
is a letter from the Chairman of the board, Neil Olson, concerning this request.
I hereby request that these funds be carried over to the 1981 - 1982 Proposition 2 ~h fiscal year's
budget.
Very truly yours,
Peter F. Fortunato
Mayor
PFF/Ip
att.