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Waterford Public Library requests level funding, details endowment draw and capital work
Summary
Library director Chris Johnson presented a FY27 request of $145,991, reported rising visits and digital circulation, noted completion of an HVAC capital upgrade and explained the trustees' planned 5% endowment withdrawal of $182,495.
Chris Johnson, director of the Waterford Public Library, asked the board to approve the library's FY27 operating request of $145,991 and reviewed usage and funding details. "Last fiscal year, we had 88,283 visitors to the library," he said, and described a modest increase in digital circulation and a significant capital investment to replace the library's HVAC system that is now substantially complete.
Johnson and board representatives explained the library uses a mix of endowment draws (trustees plan a 5% withdrawal of $182,495 for FY27), state and private grants, and town support to fund materials and programs. Trustees emphasized fiscal restraint and noted an endowment close to $4 million; a trustee said the endowment growth enabled more library purchasing while preserving long‑term capacity. The board approved the library budget by voice vote.
Next steps: trustees and town staff will continue coordinating on capital items still pending (electrical basement work and future roof projects) and the board asked to be updated on endowment use and any requests to alter withdrawal rules.
