Trustees approve $4,000 website warrant article and name CyberOptik as vendor option

The Blackstone Board of Library Trustees voted on Dec. 9 to forward to the Town of Blackstone a warrant article requesting $4,000 to pay for website creation, migration and any related work at the Blackstone Public Library.

Library Director Lisa Cheever outlined options for website migration and said she selected a mid-tier plan (referred to as a $3,510 plan in materials) but recommended a higher cap to allow for contingencies. The director named CyberOptik as the prospective vendor and said migration typically takes two to three months once work begins. She said a deposit would be required to start work; ongoing hosting or maintenance fees would be paid from the library’s operating budget.

Trustee Kelly Gillis moved to place a website-creation warrant article on the town warrant; after discussion about price fluctuations and counsel from the town accountant, Gillis revised the motion to request $4,000. The revised motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript records an “Aye” on the voice vote; a roll-call tally is not recorded.

Trustees asked for clarity that the warrant article’s phrase “any related work” did not obligate the town to cover ongoing monthly maintenance fees, which the director said would be covered by the operating budget. The board discussed vendor responsiveness and the fact that many local libraries were moving away from certain vendors; the director said CyberOptik has library experience and was among several vendors recommended for library websites.

The warrant article will be placed on the town warrant for voter consideration. If the town approves the appropriation at town meeting and the library proceeds, the director said the vendor aims to be up and running by October 2025, contingent on town approval and the vendor’s schedule.