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Trustees approve job descriptions as finance committee flags HVAC and rising water costs
Summary
Trustees approved updated job descriptions and discussed major facility pressures: an HVAC replacement debate (a low-cost estimate vs. a town-directed $525,000 approach) and unexpected water bills of about $4,000–$5,000 per month that the trustees plan to address as a separate budget line and by exploring a dedicated water meter.
The Westport Library Trustees approved updated job descriptions and received a finance update that highlighted significant facility and budget concerns.
Trustees voted to adopt the listed job descriptions using the town-provided template. The chair and trustees said the director position is a nonunion job and will be routed to town administration (Chris) for acceptance; the assistant director role remains a union position. Trustees agreed to date job descriptions when the board files them so signatures indicate the current, approved version.
On finance and facilities, trustees said HVAC is the largest immediate capital concern. In discussion, a trustee contrasted two approaches: a local retrofit estimated at about $100,000 and a town-preferred, higher-efficiency plan that was described in the meeting as around $525,000, asking, "If we go with the way the town wants to do, which is, like, $525,000... Do we have to do that?" The board noted timeline and contractor availability make October a likely period for any approved work.
Trustees also reported an unanticipated increase in water costs and said the library is now spending roughly $4,000–$5,000 per month on water. The finance committee recommended adding a separate line item for water in next year’s budget and asked staff to explore installing a water meter so costs can be allocated or disputed more precisely.
The finance committee said it will meet quarterly and coordinate with staff and trustees before the next budget submission cycle. Trustees agreed to follow up with town administration on the HVAC approach and on whether the town can perform larger excavation or landscaping work to reduce repeated maintenance costs.
