Trustees try to move forward
By Caitlyn Kelleher

The Forbush Library Trustees are trying to figure out how to move forward after the resignation of Library Director Charlene Churchill.

Beth D'Onfro, a trustee, has volunteered to step down from the board and assume an acting director's position temporarily. The other options for getting an interim or acting director that the trustees discussed were hiring a retired library director, a management specialist or run the library as a committee.

"Absent a director it is up to us as trustees to make staffing and management decisions," Board Chairman Walter Haney said.

The trustees did not support that idea.

"Leadership by committee is not leadership," said Trustee Dana Altobelli.

Haney and other trustees referenced some personnel issues but would not discuss them in open session.

"I think we have to take care of some staffing issues before we appoint an acting director," Haney said.

The trustees agree that they would like to appoint a temporary director while they engage in a search for a permanent fulltime director.

After the meeting Haney said that, "there have been some issues with the staff that have caused issues with Charlene and previous directors that we have to deal with."

Trustees did not reach a decision during their special meeting on Aug. 8 but planned to meet again on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

The staffing issues are one of the reasons the trustees are looking to hire a temporary director with a management background. The trustees agreed the interim director did not have to work 40 hours a week.

"I'd like a daily presence in the library," Altobelli said. "Twenty-hours a week in a couple of days isn't going to help."

D'Onfro said she is volunteering to serve because she is the only member of the trustees that can commit the necessary time.

"I love this place," she said after the meeting. "I don't want to have to go this way again. We need to figure out how to get someone to come in, run this place and stay."

D'Onfro said if she only did the work for a couple of weeks then she would volunteer her time and remain on the board. But, she said, if she assumed the position for any longer than that she would resign and be hired by the trustees.

"If she is going to do this she has to get paid," Altobelli said.

Trustees Cynthia Hasting-Brutvan and Leola Leger expressed concerns about losing D'Onfro as a member of the board.

She said that once a permanent director was found she would run again.

They expect a search to take about six months.

One of the other suggestions was to promote the new adult services librarian Rachel Seale but most of the trustees did not think that was fair.

"We're going to drive her out if we do that," Altobelli said.

Seale has only held the position for about three weeks but they will talk to her about increasing her hours.