The Hubbardston Public Library Trustees recorded three formal outcomes at the meeting.

Minutes: Trustees approved the minutes of the August 7, 2025 meeting. The motion to approve passed with five trustees voting in favor and one abstention; no votes opposed.

Lower-level structural assessment authorization: Trustees gave their working group authority to obtain a focused structural assessment of the lower level (basement) if required by contractor bids or scope. The board agreed that — should a focused structural or engineering report be required — the library’s donation/trust account may be used and the trustee-authorized cap for that assessment is up to $3,000 so the working group can proceed without returning to the October meeting for additional approval.

Friends of the Library legal funding: Trustees voted to authorize funds to cover legal costs and related filings to form a Friends of the Library organization and pursue 501(c)(3) status. The meeting recorded a motion, second and an affirmative vote to make up to $4,000 available for legal fees and related startup costs; trustees agreed the funds would be drawn from existing library trust/donation accounts (specific sub-accounts to be determined by trustees and staff).

Meeting attendees discussed practical next steps: staff will contact recommended lawyers to obtain cost estimates and will gather volunteers identified as willing to serve in steering roles for the Friends group. Trustees also discussed which existing trust sub-accounts (Buffum, Clark, Fairman and Freetown) could be used to support legal startup costs and agreed staff would document available balances and any designation restrictions.

The board adjourned at the meeting’s close after completing the votes and other agenda items.