Trustees defend colleague against recall charges

To the Editor,

As you are aware, three members of the Ashby Free Public Library's Board of Trustees have by petition been made the subject of a recall election that will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

We urge all of you to make yourselves acquainted with the text of the related recall petitions, which is available at the town clerk's office, and to vote in that election. It is important that this election, like any other, reflect the true wishes of the citizens of the town, and not just those of any special interest group or faction.

In so far as we can determine, the charges alleged against the three trustees (and against two others whose petitions for recall did not secure sufficient signatures) sort out under two main headings:

1) That your renewed library does not fit into the historical context of the town, and was poorly managed.

It is perfectly true that, unlike town library rebuilds in certain wealthier towns, the exterior design of your library's addition does not match that of the old. All designs and changes in the building design were reviewed in open meetings with the appropriate town committees and fully disclosed to all those willing to take any interest in the process. The board looked for every opportunity to cut costs to offset the extraordinary inflation of construction costs. While these did require an increase in taxpayer contributions, a "historic" exterior would have required hundreds of thousands more. In the end, the entire town contribution to the project totaled less than 15 percent of the overall project costs and returned $7 in increased asset value to every $1 of taxpayer money invested.

More importantly, your library now not only meets legal requirements and community needs; is a truly beautiful building, capable of inspiring all who visit.

2) That the trustees failed to follow the laws regarding covering library employees.

We presume that these objections refer to the unfortunate circumstances, which led, regretfully, to the departure of the prior library director. In this regard we can only state that that decision was made after repeated efforts to negotiate a fair and balanced performance agreement. Those making the decision deemed this action of last recourse to be in the best interests of the library and the town. All proper legal and human resource procedures were followed in implementing a decision that gave no one pleasure. We urge you, the citizen, to review the public record for yourself before judging the appropriateness of these actions.

Finally, come visit your library - see, examine, check out a book! You now have a new, wonderful place for you and your children to read, meet and keep building on the past toward the future of our town. Experience the facility for yourself before voting in judgment of those who worked to build it. Vote however you think best, but come and take possession of your renewed library!

The Trustees of the Ashby Free Public Library

Matt Alfond

Sally Bauman Maureen Davi

Lisa Gordon Dwight Horan Mark Lapham Paul McGrail John Mickola

Anne Reggio