Have you been wondering what’s going on with the Pawlet Library Board and last Fall’s controversial firing of the library director?

If so, you’re in luck! Because here are the Top Three Things that happened at the last Library Board meeting (May 7):

1. The board voted four to one to proceed with the process of hiring a new librarian.

The lone dissenting vote came from newest board member Lauren Herbert who said “I’m totally against it. I still support mediation.”

Here’s what some other folks in attendance had to say:

“I’m putting my trust and backing to the board with their decision to let Lyndsi go.” Bob Schoenemann

“I have no confidence in the four (library board) members who have chosen to do this… Until you get your ducks in a row it’s totally inappropriate to replace Lyndsi.”- Marty Kravitt

“I’m also against pursuing hiring… I don’t believe the library had a right to fire her.” -Cori Rail

“I believe Lindsey knows why she was fired… I have full confidence in the board.”- Jed Rubin

• There was controversy at the revelation that library funds were used to pay attorney fees of $3,500.

Resident Sue LaPorte pointed out that Library Board Chair Harley Cudney had previously promised that no library funds would be used to pay attorney fees.

Library Board member Lauren Herbert expressed dismay over the fact that an attorney had been hired without any discussion of cost, and that the paying of the attorney’s bill appeared to violate the library’s bylaws which require the board to discuss any expenditure over $1,000.

After some conversation on this topic Board Chair Harley Cudney said “I think I made a mistake… I believe I made a mistake.”

There was discussion of altering the procedure by which bills are paid, in order that all library board members have an opportunity to discuss expenses in the context of public meeting before payment.

It was also noted that the Pawlet Select Board has separately paid legal fees of $4,400, also in connection with the situation created by the firing of the Library Director.

• These meetings are contentious.

Months after the abrupt firing of the Pawlet Library Director, emotions are still clearly running very high. Throughout the meeting there were multiple outbursts from audience members and heated exchanges between Cudney and upset community members. More than once the board chair threatened to expel attendees from the meeting, although it never came to pass. Here is just a sample:

“It’s embarrassing to our town… The whole town is suffering because of what you did here… We shouldn’t have to go on like this,” Monica Kravitt

“Given the excessive costs that your actions have cost the library and the town… all four of you really should consider stepping down,”- Marty Kravitt

“I am running the meeting,”- Board Chair Harley Cudney

“I will jump in when I feel it’s appropriate,”- Marty Kravitt

“You’ve been paying for attorneys secretly between meetings. You’re costing the town money. You’re costing the library support… March 2025 is coming very, very soon… Things are going to be changing and to bring somebody else in is a mistake,” – Sue LaPorte (Referencing the next election of library board members. At least one position will be changing due to term limits.)

Want to see the entire two and a half hour meeting yourself? You can! Here is the PEG TV link: https://www.pegtv.com/video-on-demand

The next Library Board meeting is scheduled to take place at the Pawlet Public Library, June 4 at 5:30PM.