Acushnet trustees accept FY2026 library budget; director reports strong summer programs

The Acushnet Public Library Board of Trustees voted July 10 to accept the library's final FY2026 budget as presented.

Library Director (speaker 3) told trustees that salary lines were underspent because of two vacancies and that operating costs were largely on target; she said one June energy bill remained outstanding and that, excluding that charge, the library had spent roughly 94.7% of its FY2026 budget as reported to the board. The director said she will present any updated numbers at the next meeting after the June bills are posted.

The director also updated the trustees on summer programming: "So far we have 321 patrons signed up for summer reading," she said, a total she described as higher than last year and possibly the largest since she became director. She reviewed upcoming events that include a balloon magician with balloon twisting, a board-game drop-in, a "Grow Your Own Mushrooms" workshop and a Take Apart Workshop returning after COVID; some events require registration and seats remained available for several programs.

The director reported she has completed training sessions on a new state-aid reporting platform and expects to finish the state-aid submission before the August 13 deadline. She also told trustees the replacement of an HVAC motherboard was invoiced and the amount was paid from the library gift fund; the invoice figure is unclear in the transcript record and will be confirmed in financial records.

Trustees set their next meeting for Thursday, Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. and adjourned.