Blackstone trustees approve FY26 budget, authorize $3,200 for National Library Week and adopt lost-and-found policy

The Blackstone Board of Library Trustees on Jan. 13 approved its updated FY26 budget, authorized spending from the library gift account for National Library Week events and adopted a lost‑and‑found policy.

The trustees approved a version‑4 budget totaling $684,930.8 that restores several part‑time hours and adds a new part‑time technology assistant position. Trustee Jean Alexandowitz said the revised budget would be submitted to the town administrator and accountant following the meeting. Lisa Cheever, the library director, told trustees the library was “right on target for spending” in the current fiscal year but that the technology line had only $3,389 remaining and “we may go over a little on that line.”

Why this matters: The trustees’ budget request will be included in town budget materials and forwarded to the town administrator and selectmen for review. The change increases personnel capacity at the library — the director has already posted the technology assistant position and reported five resumes — and trustees specifically instructed that existing part‑time positions be fully funded at their current hours rather than cut to make room for the new hire.

Details of the vote and immediate follow‑up: The board voted to accept the version‑4 FY26 budget; the motion was moved and seconded by trustees (mover and seconder recorded in the meeting record). Trustee Patty (Patty Gaczynski) recused herself from the budget vote. Trustees were told the head of circulation’s wage changes (pending contract ratification at town level) will require a later adjustment to the budget once finalized.

Spending from the gift account: Trustees authorized $3,200 from the library’s gift account to fund National Library Week programming and related expenses, including costumes, refreshments, prizes, decorations and mobile mini‑golf. Jean Alexandowitz moved the allocation and a second was recorded; the motion passed. Cheever outlined planned programming tied to an April event, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Blackstone Library,” and said staff and volunteers had already offered roles and logistical planning.

Policy action: The board adopted a written lost‑and‑found policy to clarify how personal items are handled at the library. The policy states the library is not responsible for personal items left on premises; identification documents, wallets and similar items will be forwarded to the Blackstone Police Department; other unclaimed items will be donated or disposed of after a reasonable period. Trustees agreed the policy should leave some discretion for staff and noted the library’s small size when discussing how strictly to apply time limits.

Other substantive updates: Cheever gave routine financial and operating updates: LegMIG expenditures to date were $4,955.88 with a reserve balance reported; the library recently received a $5,000 deposit that had delayed spending until the town completed the wire transfer; Ingram deliveries are behind due to weather in the South; the library is the test site for an upcoming town phone system upgrade; four outside work crews have been promised to assist with shelving and moving during a planned weeding and shelf‑shifting project; and the library is awaiting an energy‑audit style report from a Green Grama visit (the town administrator said the program is partially funded and would require no local match). Cheever also noted that four staff members had secured $1,000 scholarships each from the Massachusetts library system to attend an upcoming conference.

Items discussed but not decided: Trustees discussed creating an “unaccompanied adult” policy (rules limiting adults in children’s and teen spaces when unaccompanied by a child) but took no formal action and deferred drafting to a future meeting. Trustees also reviewed the proposed warrant articles (including a request for $4,000 for web page creation and migration and a revolving account article) that will be submitted to the town; the board did not finalize those warrant article texts at this meeting.

Next steps and timeline: The approved FY26 budget will be forwarded to the town administrator and town accountant for inclusion in town budget hearings; Cheever will circulate an updated budget explanation after receipts from the town are finalized. The national library week expenditures will be drawn from the gift account once the trustees’ authorization is processed. The lost‑and‑found policy will be implemented and location(s) for holding items will be determined by director/staff before publication.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Nov. 4 and Dec. 9, 2024): Motion passed (mover and seconder recorded in meeting; unanimous voice vote reported). - FY26 budget (version 4) total $684,930.8: Motion passed; Trustee Patty recused herself; motion moved and seconded in meeting record. - Allocation of $3,200 from the gift account for National Library Week: Motion passed; moved by Jean Alexandowitz and seconded (as recorded). - Adoption of lost‑and‑found policy (added to the policy handbook): Motion passed (mover and second recorded).

No formal recorded roll‑call tallies were provided in the minutes for these motions; the transcript records voice votes (“all in favor? Aye”) and recorded recusals where noted.

Ending: Trustees scheduled their next regular meeting for Feb. 10 and Cheever said she will circulate updated budget materials and other follow‑up items prior to that meeting.