August 20, 2008

Minutes of a Joint Meeting of the Gilsum Library Board of Trustees and the Gilsum Board of Selectmen

Next Meeting: September 17, 2008 ,7:00 pm at the Library

Attending: Judy Peter, Barbara Ware, Merrilyn Johnson, Justin Ware, David Dauphin, Cindy Brewster, Karlene Arsenault, Bruce Murphy, Bill Hasbrouck, Ray Britton

Facilitator: Judy Peter

Review of agenda

1) Review of charge from Town Meeting – discussion and vote indicated that residents are in favor of one building housing both town offices and library, sharing utilities, restrooms, etc. and in favor of going ahead with proposed expansion.

2) Review of work accomplished to date by everyone involved – discussion of work of the Expansion Committee and the report published by that committee in November of 2007. Mr. Hasbrouck said he had not seen the committee report and did not know what the library wanted; Judy Peter said the report had been given to him, and that Louise Cook had been the Selectboard’s representative on the committee. David Dauphin said that the committee had previously met with the selectmen.

Trustees have met with a professional library consultant and would like to work with her again. An architect is interested in offering time and expertise to help with this project as well.

A preliminary floor plan was examined, which led to a number of detailed discussions about various aspects of building layout, components, legal requirements, aesthetics, funding, and construction.

There was discussion of the preschool and its place in a future building.

3) The Trustees and Expansion Committee suggest the formation of a small committee made up of representatives from the selectmen, library trustees, Gail Bardwell, and a Gilsum citizen unaffiliated with either group, which would be charged with going forward with the project. Mr. Hasbrouck indicated that he was not in favor of a committee, and said he would draw up a plan that will be workable. He will present it to this same group at the next meeting. Mr. Britton said that most of the people he has talked to in the last several days have questioned the need for a library expansion.

4) The issue of whether or not there will be a committee was not settled. Planning this expansion is not a job for one person nor for a large group of people. We have to come up with a plan and cost estimates before we can apply for matching fund grants.

5) The group agreed on proceeding to plan for both the library and town offices in one building, and two bathrooms. It was further agreed that once a footprint is established, it will be appropriate for the library group to determine the details of the library space, and not be involved with planning the town office space and vice versa.