Last chapter on hiring library director pending
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Reporter

During an emotional meeting on Tuesday, library trustees tried to determine the best course of action in hiring a new director but did not hire anyone.

The trustees came to the meeting with different goals. Chairman Walter Haney began the discussion on the library director saying he thought it was too premature to make a decision and hoped to schedule another meeting for later in the month.

On the other hand Dana Altobelli made a motion - that failed - to hire a director by the end of the night.

The trustees interviewed the two finalists for the library director position on March 20. The finalists were interim director Margaret Howe-Soper and the director of the Petersham Public Library Paula Korstvedt.

Haney told trustees that during one of his reference checks he wanted something in writing and hadn't received it yet. He said he'd asked for the documentation from the South Hadley Library. Haney said he believes the discussion must take place in executive session because Howe- Soper deserved a chance to respond.

Trustee Cindy Hastings-Brutvan asked where this concern was seven months ago, noting reference checks were conducted before hiring Howe-Soper as the interim director. She said everyone from South Hadley agrees there was a highly political there, "more than anything we've had here."

Haney said he was concerned that he may not have the information for a special meeting next Monday.

"Either [the person giving the reference] comes here comes here or it's in writing," Hastings-Brutvan said. She said she wants the issue resolved as quickly as possible.

"References are very important but so are our opinions," she said.

Howe-Soper left the trustees meeting before the discussion started.

Altobelli put a motion on the table to hire Korstvedt to see if there was support. He, Hasting-Brutvan and Trustee Julie Bedard said they could not support hiring her.

"I don't think she is ready," Altobelli said.

They expressed concerns about her desire to work 30 hours instead of 40, her inexperience managing a large staff and a large budget.

"I think she is trainable," said Trustee Leola Leger. "I think she could learn very fast."

Korstvedt is very strong in terms of recruiting volunteers, Leger said.

Bedard spoke in

Bedard spoke in favor of Howe-Soper because of her ability to deal with a certain level of staffing.

Altobelli said Howe-Soper has the experience and the knowledge to deal with a building project, while Korstvedt does not have experience in that area.

"It makes my life immeasurably more difficult for the next18 months," Altobelli said. "I'm going to have to think about every single step. She just hasn't done it."

Trustee Beth D'Onfro said she doesn't want to simply hire someone to deal with the building project.

"I honestly have a great feeling about Paula," D'Onfro said.

D'Onfro said going into the meeting she was ready to support hiring Howe- Soper but said there is now another issue on the table.

"We don't want anyone stewing over anything," she said.

The trustees are scheduled to meet on Monday, April 9.

"If we don't hire a director soon we're going to lose credibility with the town," said Bedard.

In other business:

+ Trustees voted to sign a contract with architect Maury Wolfe, of the firm DiMarinisi & Wolfe, to renovate the building.

The trustees reviewed the contract with Wolfe to ensure they only pay for services that they are pleased with in the end. This comes after an ongoing dispute about payment with the previous architect who was terminated after the town revoked the funding for the project.

Wolfe designed the town hall that just opened on South Street.

The first part of the project will include a structural engineer's review of the foundation and the roof.

Trustees also voted to sign a contract with Tighe and Bond Consulting Engineers to do a mold study in the building.

The trustees also voted to continue with the same building committee, which includes Altobelli and Hasting-Brutvan as well as Preston Baker and Andy Hertel.

"We don't want anyone stewing over anything."

- Beth D'Onfro

Trustee, Forbush Memorial Library