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Blackstone library trustees approve FY26 budget version that raises assistant director pay
Summary
Trustees approved Version 2 of the proposed FY26 budget, which includes a 5% assistant director pay increase; the board also discussed increased technology costs after a vendor change and plans a warrant article for one-time website creation costs.
The Blackstone Board of Library Trustees voted Nov. 4 to submit Version 2 of the library’s preliminary FY26 budget, approving a plan that includes a 5% pay increase for the assistant director.
Director Lisa Cheever told trustees the town asked for a preliminary budget by Nov. 15 and presented two worksheets: Version 2 (which includes a 5% increase for the assistant director) and Version 3 (which applies 3% across the board). Cheever said the town’s pending salary survey could change final increases but recommended Version 2 so the assistant director would not need a separate stipend later.
The directors and trustees discussed a recent vendor disruption that affected reservation and events systems. Cheever said the library moved from Plymouth Rocket to Assabet after outages and a vendor decision to discontinue parts of its product; that change required a one-time setup cost and a higher annual fee for the replacement system. She said staff training for the new system is underway and that she will seek a refund from Plymouth Rocket for any prepaid months the town did not receive service.
Trustees also discussed website work and timing. Cheever said the vendor transition and site build could be handled as a one‑time warrant article to cover creation costs while leaving yearly maintenance in the operating budget. She estimated the technology line might exceed its planned amount but did not provide a final aggregate figure during the meeting.
Mary Ann Dobek moved to adopt Version 2 of the proposed FY26 budget; Jean Alexandowitz seconded the motion. The board voted in favor by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
What happens next: The approved Version 2 budget will be submitted to the town accountant and town administrator for inclusion in town-level budget work.
Votes at a glance: Adopt FY26 Budget (Version 2) — moved by Mary Ann Dobek; seconded by Jean Alexandowitz; outcome: approved.
Sources: Remarks by Director Lisa Cheever and trustees during the Nov. 4 meeting of the Blackstone Board of Library Trustees at Blackstone Public Library.
