Tag Archives: pawlet public library

BREAKING: Pawlet Library Hires New Director

14 Wednesday Aug 2024

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After nine contentious months without a librarian, the Library Board has voted to sign a contract hiring Christine Edwins as the new Pawlet Library Director. The vote was divided 3 to 2 with the two newest board members, Lauren Herbert and Cori Rail, dissenting.

Christine Edwins is Pawlet’s new Library Director

Edwins was in attendance at the meeting and introduced herself to the standing-room-only crowd after the vote. According to board chair Harley Cudney, Edwins’ first day of work for the library will be tomorrow, August 14.

Both Herbert and Rail indicated that they were in favor of the applicant, but objected that the contract that was being offered had not been officially reviewed by an attorney. Employment attorney Sue Edwards reviewed the contract in an unofficial, pro-bono capacity, according to board member Joni Lee.

Resident Rhonda Schlangen agreed with this concern.

“I would think that the board would want due diligence,” Schlangen said. “Given the debacle that you’re enmeshed in… I’m disturbed that (obtaining official advice from an expert) is not a no brainer for the Library Board.”

Another factor that appeared to arouse concern is that Edwins will at first work 10-14 hours per week, as opposed to the normal 25 hours per week. Cudney explained that Edwins is still under contract for the next year as library media specialist for the Currier Memorial School in Danby.

“If necessary (she will) hire another staff member,” Cudney said.

When assessing all the applicants, the Library Board requested the input of two community members: Joanne VanMeter and Martha Schoenemann. VanMeter spoke during public comment in support of the decision to hire Edwins, and encouraged community support.

Pawlet residents discuss the director hiring decision following adjournment

“The new librarian is starting tomorrow and I strongly feel that we are a welcoming community. We want her to succeed,” Van Meter said. “I know there’s been controversy, but I feel we need to give this woman a chance.”

Resident Sue LaPorte, who has been a vocal opponent of the decision to fire previous library director Lyndsi Barnes, called for Harley Cudney’s resignation earlier in the meeting.

“I love this library, but I gotta tell you: ever since (the dismissal) everything has become disgusting and embarrassing.” LaPorte said. “I think that Harley needs to resign… We need to get Lyndsi back her job.”

Following the vote LaPorte asked,” Is the new director aware that there is the potential of a lawsuit?”

The board chair said that Edwins had been apprised of the situation during the interview process.

Cori Rail Elected Pawlet Library Treasurer- Special Meeting Video

01 Thursday Aug 2024

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https://videopress.com/v/mSTw5Fmc?resizeToParent=1&cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&sbc&sbpc&sblc&useAverageColor=1

Highlights from the most recent Library Board Special meeting:

  • This was the first meeting for new board member Cori Rail, who was appointed by the Pawlet Select Board on July 23rd.
  • Rail was quickly and unanimously elected Library Board treasurer, replacing resigning member and treasurer Kathryn Lawrence.
  • As part of an effort to respond to recently filed complaints that the Library Board has been in violation of Open Meeting law, the Library Board reaffirmed its commitment to posting meeting warnings physically in the town post offices, the town hall and the library, as well as electronically to the library Facebook page, library home page, Front Porch Forum and the Pawlet Town Clerk’s e-mail list.
  • During public comment, resident Fred Stone stated his opinion that people who don’t help the library with the annual book sale should “stay home and shut up.”
  • Stone also called for the resignation of any board member who was not in attendance at the library book sale- which appeared to be directed at newest board member Cori Rail. (Rail, who was appointed to the board three days prior to the book sale, told the Manchester Journal that she was unable to attend due to due to a previously scheduled engagement.)
  • Board member Joni Lee requested that Stone keep his tone “civil.”

For those who are counting, there have been five Library Board meetings in the last six weeks- four of which were short-notice Special Meetings. As of this posting the next Library Board meeting is a regular meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, August 13th at 5:30PM at the Pawlet Public Library.

Here is a link to the Manchester Journal article.

BREAKING: Pawlet Select Board Appoints Rail to Library Board

24 Wednesday Jul 2024

Posted by in local event, Pawlet Happenings

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The Library Board held its third special meeting in a row on the evening of July 23rd, but it wasn’t until afterwards, at the Select Board meeting across the street, that a key decision was made: to fill the vacancy on the Library Board with applicant Cori Rail.

At the Select Board meeting several residents spoke out in favor of Rail’s appointment, including newest board member Lauren Herbert. Board Chair Harley Cudney stated that he worried about partisanship but ultimately expressed approval for Rail as a candidate for the position. Following the vote spontaneous applause broke out in the meeting room. To see the entire conversation watch the fifteen minute video below.

https://videopress.com/v/E4h2fqZn?resizeToParent=1&cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&sbc&sbpc&sblc&useAverageColor=1

The Library Board meeting just prior had entertained extensive debate on two main questions: whether the board could continue to operate lawfully with only four members, and whether a recommendation for a new board member should be made to the Select Board for appointment immediately or in a few weeks time when other volunteers for the position might present themselves. Both questions became a moot point with Rail’s appointment.

The Library Board meeting which took place previously will be posted here soon.

Library Board Treasurer Resigns – Offer Made to Hire New Director- Special Meeting Video

22 Monday Jul 2024

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Below is the video from the most recent meeting: first half and second half. There’s a LOT going on with the Pawlet Library Board these days so let’s see if I can sum it all up:

https://videopress.com/v/Cefa0BFd?resizeToParent=1&cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&sbc&sbpc&sblc&useAverageColor=1
  • Library Board member and Treasurer Kathryn Lawrence submitted her resignation to Board Chair Harley Cudney on July 6th.
  • At the most recent Special Meeting on July 16th Library Board member Lauren Herbert argued that the Vermont Statute 22, section 143 requires the board to consist of five members before major decisions can be made. (Due to the recent resignation the board currently has only four members.)
The cited statute
  • Nevertheless, after heated discussion, the Library Board voted 3 to 1 to go ahead and offer the position of library director to one of the applicants.
  • Cori Rail has been proposed by Herbert as a candidate to fill Lawrence’s position on the board and as Treaurer. The ultimate decision as to filling the spot is made at the discretion of the Pawlet Select Board. Rail is a longtime member of the Mettawee School Board.
  • The Library’s Annual Book Sale is this weekend at the Mettawee Community School, Saturday 9-3 and Sunday 10-2.
  • THE NEXT SPECIAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW, JULY 23. Here is the agenda:

For more info on the July 16 meeting, you can read the Manchester Journal article here.

Recent Library Board Meeting Gets Heated

08 Monday Jul 2024

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https://videopress.com/v/BbCaUhdK?resizeToParent=1&cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&sbc&sbpc&sblc&useAverageColor=1

This is the raw, unedited footage of the public portion of the Library Board’s Special Meeting on the evening of July 5th. Because it was a special meeting with shorter notice than regular monthly meetings, PEG TV was not available to record the meeting; this recording is presented here instead. As of this meeting no decision has been made to hire a new librarian, although three candidates have been interviewed. The next Special Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16 at 5PM, at the Pawlet Public Library, at which time it is expected that- like this meeting- a portion of the meeting will be conducted in executive session and another portion will be open to the public.

Tensions Run High as Library Votes to Hire New Librarian

09 Thursday May 2024

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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.

This Just In: NO Library Board Meeting Tonight

06 Tuesday Feb 2024

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Depending on who you talk to, either the Pawlet Library Board Meeting tonight is cancelled, or there never was a meeting scheduled to begin with.

The upshot is that I have confirmed with the Pawlet Town Hall that no meeting will be happening at the library tonight, but there WILL still be a Select Board meeting, which everyone is encouraged to attend (Zoom attendance is also possible):

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3494892532
Meeting ID: 349 489 2532

When will the Library Board meet again, you might ask? Well, according to Town Clerk Deb Hawkins, it would be usual for them to have a meeting on the first Tuesday of next month. Then again, the first Tuesday of March, is the Town Meeting, so I highly doubt any other town business will be happening that night.

Could it be that we’ll have to wait until April – or longer- to have another Library Board meeting?

Stay tuned.