Trustees authorize limited use of Mary Faye Fund to cover late book bills

The Library Trustees of the Town of Southborough voted to authorize Library Director Ryan to use the restricted Mary Faye Fund to pay book invoices that arrive after the fiscal year closes.

The authorization applies only to the Mary Faye Fund — a restricted account set up to purchase books — and is intended to cover bills for books ordered before the fiscal-year cutoff that arrive afterward. Director Ryan told the trustees the board has granted similar permission in prior years but, so far, the fund has not been used for this purpose. The director said he did not have an exact anticipated amount for potential charges and that, historically, any such bill would be small: "it would not be very much money because it would be basically anticipated books that are just gonna spill over into the fiscal year," he said.

At the meeting the trustees reported the Mary Faye Fund balance as $18,460.48. Trustees said the fund provides an alternative to asking the Friends group to pay a late invoice and would be used only for book-related charges. The board moved, seconded and voted to authorize the director to draw on the fund if needed; the motion passed on a roll call with all trustees voting in the affirmative.

The authorization is an annual housekeeping step the trustees said they prefer to review and reauthorize each year to keep the accounting clear. Director Ryan said he will report back in July with any end-of-year details if the fund is used.