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Library trustees offer $10,000 donation for children’s fence; Select Board asks for quotes and a subcommittee
Summary
Library trustees told the board they have a $10,000 donation for a fence to enclose an outdoor children’s program area. The Select Board asked trustees to obtain updated quotes (vinyl and wood), provide maintenance cost estimates, and recommended forming a subcommittee to align any fence with a broader town beautification plan.
Library Trustees Chair Caitlin Kamich told the Pembroke Select Board the trustees have received a $10,000 donation explicitly designated for a fence to create an enclosed outdoor space for children’s programming.
Kamich said trustees can accept the funds but that accepting a donation does not obligate the Select Board to install a fence; trustees legally have authority over the building interior under an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU). Board members said they welcome the donation but asked for more detail before giving formal approval: updated vendor quotes for at least one vinyl and one wood option, a rough projection of ongoing maintenance costs, and a clear statement about who would take responsibility for upkeep under the town‑trustee MOU.
Several board members and residents emphasized the need to consider the fence as part of a larger town beautification vision rather than an isolated feature. Select Board members suggested a short subcommittee—with representatives from trustees, public works, economic development and residents—be formed to study how a fence might fit into a multi‑year corridor plan and to solicit broader public input. Trustees said they could provide AI‑generated images of three design options and would ask vendors for quotes that reflect the fence only (no landscaping) so the board could see what $10,000 would purchase.
Why it matters: The donation would expand outdoor programming capacity for the library but would also create a recurring maintenance obligation for the town if the Select Board accepts the fenced area. Board members want to avoid a mismatched or piecemeal look along the town’s key corridor and to protect taxpayers from unanticipated ongoing costs.
What’s next: Trustees will provide updated quotes (vinyl and wood), maintenance cost estimates, and a proposal for a subcommittee. The Select Board requested those details before making a formal acceptance decision.
