LFNAC Minutes – January 31, 2009

Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Milton Howard, Sheila McCormick, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams. Also present: George Ashley, President of the Historical Commission

Committee members described to George conversations we had had with Historical Society officers. According to George, the Historical Society has money in their treasury, but given the monthly maintenance cost of the Dickinson building, that money would soon be depleted. If the library vacates the building, the Historical Commission will argue to keep the building as a museum. Ideally, the two reading rooms would be display area and the attic would be work area. LFNAC members reminded George that if Dickinson becomes a museum, it is a change of use and would likely be subject to ADA compliance.

According to George, the Museum is owned by the town; the collections are under supervision of the town. It is up to the Historical Commission on behalf of the town to say where the museum is located. Members of the Historical Society do all of the actual work involved with the museum and collection.

LFNAC should meet with the Selectboard to keep them informed of where we are in our discussions with the Historical Society and Historical Commission and progress in general. We want the Selectboard to know that we’ve narrowed our options for a library site. Harold will try to get on the Selecboard agenda within the first 2 weeks of February. There’s no need for Stephen Hale to be present, although Harold will let him know about the meeting. Stephen may be able to answer some questions. [Note: LFNAC is on the agenda for February 17 at about 7:40.].

MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: To pay attorney Joe Cook for the work he did in reviewing the contract with Stephen Hale.

There are some potential problems with the Smith Academy Site (e.g. space, water issues). Rather than keep it in the mix of options and having Stephen spend time (i.e. grant money) designing a building for the site, the Committee decided to eliminate it now.

MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: Eliminate the Smith Academy site from consideration as a place for the new Hatfield Public Library.

Harold will create a Yahoo Group so that all LFNAC members can have access to the latest spreadsheets (site analysis matrix, preliminary cost figures, etc.) as they are revised.

We plan on visiting other town groups during April to let as many residents as possible know what LFNAC has been doing. We identified the Library Friends, Hatfield Book Club, Council on Aging (lunch?), Lions Club, Hatfield Business Association, Hatfield Education Foundation, and PTO. Perhaps also town committees, although it is likely that most of those members are also involved in the above organizations. We also need to look at what else is happening before setting a schedule, e.g. holidays, school vacation.

LFNAC members should continue to visit other libraries as opportunities arise. Two questions to ask staff: What is the best thing about your library building? What is the worst thing?

Our next meeting is Thursday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hatfield Library; the following meeting will be Thursday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. Stephen Hale will attend these meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 10:19 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dodie Gaudet, Secretary