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At the August l rneeting of the Board of Selectmen, the Board nsired an article <br /> submitted by the Board of Library Trustees to create additional full-tim positions for the <br /> Library in anticipation of the opening of the new Library in the Spring of 2010. In 2004, <br /> this Board provided its support by authorizing the replacement of the old library with a <br /> modern facility capable of meeting the futures needs of a growing Town. That support <br /> was reaffirmed in 2006, with an additional debt exclusion that helped the library t <br /> qualify for a state grant. Here we are in 2009 and the building is has taken physical form <br /> and is progressing rapidly and we all eagerly await the Library completion. Offsetting <br /> this however is a picture of trying economic tines unseen by this Town in recent history. <br /> We have seen ars end to growth in our tax base, an unprecedented decline in state revenue <br /> and austere or declining Town budgets where tough choices have been required to be • <br /> made. The Town is faced with a task of a budget deficit of over$300 thousand this year <br /> that'Will require additional tough decisions to be made. The Board can not in all fairness <br /> approve the creation ofnew positions when we are faced with potentially laying people <br /> off. And in fact, the Board has asked departments n t to fill open positions and has <br /> implemented a freeze on new hiring until the Town's economic picture improves. <br /> Some comparisons have been made between the Library and the recent South Ma tepee <br /> Fire sub-station; however, what was lost in those caparisons was how the Board and Fire <br /> Chief were able to be creative in meeting the initial needs of South M sbpe . Similar t <br /> the Library, a long-term staffing plan is developing based on the usage ofthe sub-station. <br /> It has always been the Boards policy to utilize the annual budget process involving the <br /> Department Heads of the Town,the Town Manager, Finance Committee and Board of <br /> Selectmen to create and vet positrons within the Town. <br /> While the Library has been and is an emotional issue for marry, the Board is forced t <br /> remain focused on the overall fiscal condition of the Town and maintain a policy that has <br /> helped this Town avoid financial crises and maintain a high level of service to its <br /> community. <br /> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <br /> Article <br /> To see if the Town will vote to add a full-time Reference Librarian and a Circulation <br /> Assistant for the Children's Department to the staffing of the Mashpee Public Library, t <br /> be filled upon the opening of the new library in the spring of 2010, r tale any other <br /> action related thereto. <br /> Submitted by the Board of Library Trustees <br /> x <br /> Explanation: Town Meeting authorization is required to create any positions. This <br /> article seeks to authorize creation of two positions - a Reference Librarian and <br /> Circulation Assistant for the new library. Funding for the positions will be requested at <br /> the Special Town Meeting in May, to ever the short time left in FY 2010, when the new <br /> library opens. The estimated salary for the two positions for about two months i <br />