Residents press board to delay Woodbury–library MOU; board tables authorization after executive session

The Town of Woodbury on Feb. 6 heard extended public criticism of a proposed memorandum of understanding between the town and the Woodbury Public Library, and the board ultimately tabled authorization for signatures after an attorney-client executive session.

The most visible objections came from residents who said the MOU shifts maintenance and insurance costs to taxpayers while giving the library operational control. “These expenses add up increasing the burden on taxpayers,” said Martha, a Highland Mills resident, during the public-comment period. She asked the board to postpone action and schedule a public hearing so residents could review exhibits she said were released only the night before the meeting.

Why it matters: The MOU would assign routine tasks and some insurance responsibilities for multiple library branches to the town, residents said, and the document’s indemnification language and insurance naming raised questions about who would control insurance payouts after a loss. Several speakers sought clearer budget accounting and public access to supporting exhibits before the board signs a long-term agreement.

Speakers cited specific concerns: the town paying for snow removal and holiday decorating at a library-owned building, weekly overtime for buildings-and-grounds staff to remove library garbage, and the library being named as the insured while the town would cover the premiums. Maria Hunter, a long-time resident, criticized the MOU’s treatment of library program funds and raised questions about a capital reserve fund she said had been created without clear public documentation.

Town Attorney (unnamed) responded that, from a legal perspective, the draft MOU was a functional agreement. “From a legal standpoint, it’s a functional, legal agreement. I don’t think it’s disproportionate in a way that makes it, not a fair contract,” the attorney said, and offered to supply additional clarity if the board postponed a vote.

Supervisor Kate Lachian had asked for a motion authorizing herself and the town’s library liaisons — identified in the meeting as Belongo and Kirk Leone — to sign the MOU on the town’s behalf. Board members then moved into an attorney-client executive session to discuss the item. When the public meeting resumed, Lachian said, “So under the advice of counsel, we’re going to table the authorizing signatures of the MOU of the library, town of Woodbury.” The board took no further action on the MOU at the Feb. 6 meeting.

Context and next steps: Residents asked the board to release full exhibits, to hold a public hearing, and to consider a shorter or trial term before finalizing a long-term arrangement. The town attorney committed to follow up with additional legal clarifications if the board opted to defer the vote. The board’s formal tabling of the signature authorization leaves the draft MOU unresolved pending further legal review and potential additional public process.

Ending: The MOU remains on the agenda for future consideration. Board members and the town attorney indicated they will review the legal sections residents flagged and provide additional documentation if the board moves the item back onto a future meeting agenda.