Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Danvers library director warns FY26 shortfall could force Sunday closures after union raises
Summary
Board heard that FY25 retroactive pay was covered but FY26 may face a funding gap tied to recently negotiated raises; director proposed trimming Sunday hours if necessary.
Library trustees were briefed on the financial effects of recent union contract step increases and retroactive pay. Director Noelle told trustees that retroactive pay for fiscal year 2025 was covered from unused salary funds in the current budget, but she warned the board that fiscal year 2026 could face a shortfall depending on staffing and town allocations.
In reporting the library's finances earlier in the meeting, the treasurer said the trust account began at $625,873.43, recorded $1,004.48 in income and an overall positive change in value of $17,947.85, leaving an ending balance of $644,825.76; year-to-date the account is up 2.96 percent.
Director Noelle described the personnel cost changes that result from the recently negotiated union contract. She estimated—cautiously—that the retroactive and step increases “was around $40,000” for the most immediate calculation discussed during the meeting. Noelle said the retroactive portion for FY25 was covered by salary savings from vacancies this year, but she does not yet have a final projection for FY26 and is waiting on the town for a ballpark number.
As a potential cost-saving measure, Noelle proposed reducing the number of Sundays the library is open, concentrating service on winter Sundays (for example, November through February), to reduce part-time payroll costs while minimizing impact on overall weekly hours. The director said four employees work Sundays; three part-time positions would be most affected by a reduction in Sunday coverage.
Trustees pressed for timely updates. One trustee suggested a short July meeting or an email update when the July 1 figures are available; another trustee asked that the board be kept informed so it can react rather than learning of changes only in September. Noelle said she would report the town's FY26 projection when available and that any decision to change hours would be her operational call but that she would notify trustees.
The board accepted the treasurer's report by voice vote earlier in the meeting.
