Abbot Public Library trustees approve $5,911.50 Shattuck Fund purchase, review FY27 contingency plans

The Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously on May 11 to authorize the purchase of two gallery benches and one bike rack using $5,911.50 awarded by the Shattuck Memorial Fund. The motion to proceed with the purchase passed on a roll call vote with Gary Amberik, Kathy Barker, Marjorie Norman, Kathleen Waslov and John Williams recorded as voting Yes.

Director Kimberly Grad presented the Shattuck award and said the funds will be applied to the specified furnishings. The board also moved and approved the minutes for the April 6, 2026 meeting and two interim April sessions.

The board discussed FY27 contingency operating plans that Director Grad is modeling under two scenarios — a no-override outcome and a reduced-service ("Tier 1") scenario. Grad told trustees proposed service hours under those scenarios will be presented at the next board meeting on June 1, 2026. The director also said staffing changes and recruitment choices will factor into those models.

The trustees recorded the vote on the Shattuck Fund purchase and the minutes approval by roll call; no individual movers or seconders were specified in the minutes. The purchase is funded entirely from a private award and does not require a town appropriation, according to the director's report.

The board also reviewed a list of outstanding building repairs and maintenance tasks that library staff had identified, including an OS&Y valve replacement, an elevator inspection, threshold fixes in lower-level storage, replacement carpeting and shelving in the children’s room, and several minor restorations and signage updates. Trustees said they will coordinate outreach and fundraising support as needed.

The board is scheduled to meet next on June 1, 2026; the town election is set for June 9, 2026.