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Library trustees ask Ossipee Select Board to place $10,000 warrant article for building repairs
Summary
Library trustees asked the Select Board to include a $10,000 warrant article to continue a capital improvement fund for repairs and interior work; trustees and town staff discussed which maintenance costs fall to the town versus the trustees under RSA 202‑A:6.
Lisa Burke, treasurer of the trustees of the Ossipee Town Library, told the Select Board that the trustees will ask voters to approve a $10,000 warrant article to continue a capital improvement plan for the library.
The request follows a voter-approved $20,000 warrant article in a previous year and is intended to cover interior repairs and equipment costs the trustees manage. "The only increases on budget are ones that were proposed by the town, for, insurance," Burke said. She added the trustees want the additional $10,000 "just to continue with that because there are some issues at the library that need to be addressed."
The discussion focused on the line between what the town must maintain and what the trustees may spend from their account. A Select Board participant read the statute aloud: "RSA 202‑A:6, library trustees. Library trustees shall have the entire custody and management of the public library and all of the property of the town relating thereto," and described the line as "a bit of a gray area." Town staff and trustees said they are working together to define which projects the warrant article should cover. Trustees and town staff discussed doors, ramps and basement repairs as possible uses of the funds.
Board members and trustees noted the library building is about 100 years old and has a large, unusual front door that may require custom work. The trustees said they will coordinate with town staff (identified in the meeting as TJ and Matt) when bringing the warrant language forward so that any legal or procedural wording aligns with town requirements.
No vote was taken at the meeting; the request was taken under advisement and trustees indicated they will return with a formal warrant article and wording for the town to place on the warrant.
