East Haddam library exploratory committee adopts meeting schedule, outlines three‑phase plan

The East Haddam Library Exploratory Committee voted to adopt a regular meeting schedule of the first and third Tuesday of each month beginning in July and outlined a three‑phase work plan that will guide site selection, accessibility review and community outreach through early 2027.

At the start of the meeting the Chair said, "I'll call the meeting to order and we will do the Pledge of Allegiance," and the group then moved promptly into business. Committee member Deborah moved to approve the prior meeting minutes and members approved them by voice vote after noting some members had not received the draft by email. Later, Jennifer proposed the new schedule — "That we adopt the first and third Tuesday of every month for our regularly scheduled meeting" — and the motion was seconded and agreed to by the group.

Why it matters: The committee established a clear timeline and focus to complete the exploratory phase. The Chair sketched three phases: (1) immediate work to gather shared information and review the 2022 library study and Connecticut State Library accessibility guidance; (2) work sessions from roughly August through October to develop recommendations and outreach plans; and (3) drafting, community review and final recommendations into winter, with a target roughly around February 2027 for a draft report.

Members flagged several technical and practical priorities. One committee member asked directly, "I just want to understand if a library is not a municipal agency, what is it?" — a question members said must be resolved because the answer affects which accessibility requirements apply and which town departments or funders would carry financial responsibility. The group agreed to follow up with the Connecticut State Library to confirm whether guidance in the 2022 materials or current state documents prescribes minimum building or land‑area requirements.

Funding and examples: Members agreed to research recent, successful grant applications as models. One participant cited a nearby town report that used a $2 million state bond to support a $4.9 million renovation; members said reviewing comparable proposals could help identify funding constraints that might affect site selection or building design.

Community engagement and stakeholders: The committee prioritized interactive engagement over a repeat survey, recommending focus groups, school and teen advisory outreach and public drop‑in sessions. Members asked that library staff and at least one librarian be invited regularly for their technical input; Marissa, identified in the discussion as a librarian who participated previously, and other library staff will be consulted. The group also identified key stakeholders to contact early, including the board of education, the board of finance, planning and zoning, selectmen and the town's tri‑board long‑range planning process.

Records and communications: Jennifer asked for a shared digital repository for committee documents; planning staffer John Bellet offered to create a shared drive for the group and future building committees. The committee also discussed a short communications plan and a working title, "Path Forward," for public messaging. Members suggested monthly brief updates to the town newsletter and posting minutes to the town website.

Next steps and procedural notes: The committee tasked members to follow up on the ADA/municipal‑agency question with the Connecticut State Library, begin compiling possible town‑owned sites and gather examples of funded grants. No members of the public signed up to speak at this meeting. Deborah moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and the meeting concluded in under an hour.

Notes on attribution: Quotes and attributions in this report are drawn from the meeting transcript. When a speaker's full name or formal title was not provided in the transcript, the report uses a role label (for example, "Chair" or "committee member") to avoid misidentification.