Resident urges 0‑based budgeting and town-resident tracking for full programs

During public audience, Laurie Boyko of 15 Oakhurst Road told the board she was concerned about the library’s share of town spending and urged trustees to apply 0‑based budgeting principles in the upcoming cycle. Boyko said the library is “the third highest in cost to the taxpayers of the town budget, behind only the police and public works,” and cited a library annual figure of $2,500,000 as presented in her remarks.

Boyko also urged the board to consider capturing whether program registrants and borrowers are town residents, so staff could give town residents priority on program wait lists. The director and trustees acknowledged the comment and noted the suggestion that residency be tracked had been mentioned previously in a policy committee meeting; trustees said they would examine whether registration systems capture residency data.

Why it matters: the comment raises budgetary and access questions that relate to how the library documents participation and prioritizes limited program capacity. The board did not take action on the suggestion at this meeting; it was recorded as public comment and may inform budgeting and registration discussions going forward.

Public comment excerpt: the resident opened her remarks by saying she wanted the board to “take the 0 based budgeting very seriously this year,” and requested the board review whether residency is tracked for program attendees.