1984-05-14 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 05/14/1984
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Neil B. Olson, Lester C. Ayers, Richard L. Buckley, Connie E.
Dooling, Katherine L. Fanning, Kathleen M. Henrichon, Kevin J. Murphy, Susan M. Salt, and
Nancy A. White
Board members absent:
Others present: Frances J. McCarthy, Vada Komich, League of Women Voters; Howard Calish,
Friends of the Beverly Public Library; Frances Trowt, Friends of the Beverly Farms Library
Recorder: Nancy Aberman
Regular Meeting
Board of Trustees - Beverly Public Library
May 14, 1984 7:30 p.m.
Present: Neil Olson, Kathleen Hemichon, Susan Salt, Nancy White, Kay Fanning, Richard Buckley,
Les Ayers, Kevin Murphy, Connie Dooling (7:45 p.m.)
_Also present: Esther Calish, Nancy Aberman; Fran McCarthy, Vada Komich, League of Women
Voters; Howard Calish, Friends of the Library; Frances Trowt, Friends of the Beverly Farms Library;
Steve McGilvary, Beverly Times; Peter Homan, Salem News.
Disposition of the minutes of the previous regular meeting: Motion was made by 'Mr. BuckIcy and
seconded by Mrs. Salt to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting of April 9. Motion passed.
Motion was made by Mrs. Salt and seconded by Mrs. Fanning to accept the minutes of the April 23
Regular Meeting. Motion passed.
Committee Reports: Finance: There was no meeting. Personnel: There was no meeting.
Administration: Mr. Murphy reported that, due to an insufficient number of bids received in February
for the roof, a rebidding procedure is to take place. He also discussed the list of building maintenance
items which need addressing and the proper procedure to follow. Mr. Murphy noted that he had
spoken to the Mayor about the problems and read a draft of a prospective letter to send to the Mayor.
Matter was referred to New Business.
Librarian's Report: 1) Mrs. Calish reported that the application for an Arts Council Grant was
approved by the local commission in the mount of $750 for purchase of records and art
reproductions. 2) The Financial Statement was discussed. 3) March Statistics were reviewed. 4)
Several Departmental reports were read--from the Farms Branch, Bookmobile, Young Adult
Department and Reference. 5) Mrs. Calish gave an update on the NOBLE situation regarding storage
capacity analysis. 6) She noted her attendance at the Eastern Region annual meeting. 7) She requested
that a date be set up for the Personnel Committee to discuss the Circulation Department Head
position becoming vacant through retirement. A meeting is scheduled for June 7 at 4:30 p.m.
Communications: 1) A letter from Mr. Manoff, attorney for Mrs. Calish, regarding the librarian's
contract, was read and the matter was referred to later in the meeting. 2) A letter was read from the
Union Negotiating Committee thanking the Board for their letter of response to their request for a
Board member to be named to represent management at negotiating meetings.
Unfinished Business: 1) Mr. Olson asked if there had been any progress on the problem of the parking
situation. Mrs. Calish reported that the appropriate letters had been sent regarding ticketing and
towing, and she has requested that Public Works make new signs for the lot. 2) Mr. Murphy asked
if any progress had been made on the creation of parking spaces in back of the library for staff
parking. No response has been received as yet. 3) Mrs. Henrichon moved, and Mr. Bucldey seconded,
that before proceeding with the ramp at the Beverly Farms Branch that the Librarian obtain a copy
of the deed to the property and the matter be referred to the Committee on Administration. Motion
passed.
New Business: Mr. Murphy moved that the letter, previously read, regarding needed repairs to the
library be sent to the Mayor. Mrs. Henrichon seconded. Motion passed. The Chairman will sign for
the Board.
The matter of the Library Director's contract was brought forward. Mr. Olson referred to the
previously-read letter from Mr. Manoffrequesting certain changes in the contract. Discussion took
place on procedure. Ms. White moved that the contract which was returned to the Board by Mrs.
Calish's lawyer for negotiation be referred to a lawyer representing the Board and city; that the
lawyers for both parties should confer, and that the Board's lawyer should remm to the Board to
inform the Board where they stand. Mrs. Henrichon seconded. Discussion took place. Mrs.
Henrichon moved the question. Mrs. Salt seconded. The vote on moving the question was as follows:
Ayers-3; Nays-5; Abstentions-1. Motion failed. Ms. White withdrew the motion. Further discussion
took place. Mr. Murphy then moved that the Chairman arrange a meeting between the Board and the
appropriate legal representatives of the city to find out where the Board is with respect to a) the
lawsuit and b) the contract. Ms. White seconded. A motion to move the question was made by Mr.
Ayers and seconded by Mrs. Salt. Motion passed. On the question, motion passed. A meeting is being
arranged with Mr. Kaplan for May 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Public presentation to, discussion with. the Board: Mrs. McCarthy, League of Women Voters, spoke
on three issues: 1) an Executive Session may not be called merely by posting notice to that effect. An
open meeting must be held first and vote taken. This is in accordance with the Open meeting law. 2)
As discussed previously and noted in the minutes of October 17, 1983, regarding conversation with
the District Attorney's office, contract discussion must be held in open session. 3) It was also noted
that when the litigation matter is completed, the minutes of the Executive Sessions must be made
public.
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Ayers and seconded by Ms. White. Meeting was adjourned at
9:10 p.m.
Nancy S. Abeman
Recorder