Select Board says library must submit invoices after $22,004.58 insurance payment; member abstains on PrimeX-related matters

The Select Board reviewed an insurance payment related to winter flooding at the Mary Bartlett Memorial Library and instructed the library to submit invoices for the town to pay.

A board member said the town received a check for $22,004.58 from PrimeX. Board discussion focused on whether the library should handle repairs directly or send invoices to the town so the town would pay contractors. Board members asked whether the library would keep any remaining proceeds after invoices were paid; several members said that usual insurance practice is to reconcile payments when invoices are submitted.

"If they submitted invoices, then we have the insurance proceeds we took, then we'd have to give back," a board member said during the discussion, noting the process is typically tied to submitted invoices and reconciliation.

A motion that the library submit invoices and that the town pay those invoices was moved, seconded and approved by roll-call, with one board member abstaining from votes regarding PrimeX because of a stated conflict of interest.

The motion did not specify a timeline for submission of invoices beyond normal invoicing procedures; board members asked staff to manage logistics and to ensure any remaining proceeds are handled according to town policy and insurance rules.

The board did not vote to transfer any funds at the meeting beyond approving the payment-by-invoice approach; staff follow-up was directed to ensure invoices are submitted and reviewed.