Library trustee resigns, board now looks for a new member
By Caitlyn Kelleher

Faith Anttila resigned for the Library Board of Trustee this month but she did not expressed a reason, said Maureen Davi, the trustee chairwoman.

Anttila submitted a little note that she was resigning. She has certainly served on the board quite effectively for a number of years quite successfully, Davi said.

So, now the trustees are looking for a volunteer to complete her term until the next election cycle. State law says only special elections are only called to replace a selectman, so a resident will be appointed.

Anttila did not return messages for comment, but Davi said there will be a hole in the committee.

"She is a professional librarian, so she brought that skill and insight," Davi said.

She thought that Anttila had served about 10 years on the board. Anttila also organized a number of fund-raisers for the new library project including co -chairing the art auction and organizing the Halloween party.

Anttila's term was scheduled to end in April 2007, so the position will be on the ballot in April 2007 for a three-year term as scheduled.

Trustees are requesting those residents who are interested in serving on the board to submit letters to them. They would like the letters to include their time availability, their qualifications and the reason for their interest.

Davi said in the past there have been very few applicants when they have sought letters of interest after a trustee has resigned.

"The appeal of coming on as an interim member is you get to try it on for size," Davi said.

The trustees will begin meeting twice a month in August because of the workload, Davi said. This is an increase from their previous once a month meeting.

She hopes whomever volunteers for this position is willing to make the time commitment.

If the board had its way then they would love to have someone willing to serve as treasurer, she said. At this point, the ninemember board has people who are comfortable with computers and technology and people that are willing to stand on a ladder and screw in a light bulb.

"There aren't a lot of people that are willing to get in and deal with other people's money," she said.

Anttila was also a member of the library building committee. She has not submitted a formal letter of resignation from this committee, Davi said.

Davi said if Anttila did, then she probably would not be replaced because "that committee is close to an end."

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Caitlyn Kelleher can be reached at (978) 827-3386, ext. 15, or e-mail: caitlynkelleher@ aol.com