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Peabody Institute trustees approve minutes and treasurer's report; discuss budget, indemnification and staffing
Summary
At their March 11 meeting, the Peabody Institute Board of Library Trustees approved February minutes and the treasurer's report, accepted a recommended $5,000 cut to general supplies in the FY2027 budget, discussed trustee indemnification and heard staff and archive updates.
The Peabody Institute Board of Library Trustees met at the DCAT Building on March 11, 2026. Chairperson Donna Hopkins called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.; no members of the public offered comment.
The board unanimously approved the minutes of its Feb. 11 meeting after Trustee Jessica Cargile moved the motion and Trustee Kenneth Yoon Lee seconded it. Treasurer Cory Ryan presented the February 2026 treasurer's report, which showed a beginning balance of $721,805.48 and an ending balance of $726,100.91; Trustee Julie Curtis moved to approve the report and Trustee Noah Leavitt seconded. The board approved the treasurer's report unanimously.
Director Noelle Boc told trustees that the library's FY2027 budget was reviewed by the Selectboard on March 7 and that the Selectboard approved the library budget unanimously. Boc said the requested budget includes a 7% increase tied to recent collective-bargaining pay adjustments and that, at the Selectboard meeting, she proposed cutting $5,000 from the library's General Supplies line; trustees accepted that reduction. Boc said further cuts would most likely require reducing library hours.
Hopkins reported she has asked the Town Attorney whether trustees should be indemnified but has not yet received a response; she said she will research private indemnification if no answer is available by next month. The Scholarship Committee will meet to revise the scholarship policy and present a draft to the full board when ready.
The board also discussed workplace culture after Trustee Cory Ryan urged trustees to consider ways to make the library more welcoming and supportive for employees. Boc reminded trustees that the library will close for a full-day virtual staff training on March 18.
Votes at a glance - Approval of Feb. 11, 2026 minutes: moved by Jessica Cargile, seconded by Kenneth Yoon Lee; outcome: approved unanimously (8 yes, 0 no). - Approval of February 2026 treasurer's report: moved by Julie Curtis, seconded by Noah Leavitt; outcome: approved unanimously (8 yes, 0 no). - Adjournment: moved by Jessica Cargile, seconded by Noah Leavitt; outcome: approved unanimously.
The board tabled a proposal to add a one-year Past President position for further discussion at the April meeting. With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
