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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Serving the community of Ogdensburg, New York
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Massena Town Board makes five appointments to library board

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MASSENA — The Massena Public Library has a full board again.

The Massena Town Council unanimously approved five appointments during a special meeting Wednesday morning: Linda McDonald to a term that expires Dec. 31, 2012; Mark Englert to a term that expires Dec. 31, 2013; Emily Hutchison to a term that expires Dec. 31, 2014; Jack Baines to a term to that expires Dec. 31, 2015; and Robert Manning to a term that expires Dec. 31, 2016.

They replace former President John Acton, former Vice President Richard Geiser and former board members Barbara DeLine, Pamela Ouimet, Michael Gleason and Lisa C. Bero, who all resigned.

Mr. Acton, Mr. Geiser and Mr. Gleason resigned on June 5, following in the footsteps of Ms. DeLine and Ms. Ouimet, who had already submitted their resignations. Ms. Bero was the sole member of the previous board until her resignation on June 20.

Director Lynn Fountain also left after a year of service. She was replaced on an interim basis by retired Director Paul L. Schaffer, who is being paid $20 per hour for a maximum of three hours per day. Mr. Schaffer will continue until a new director is appointed by the new board.

Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray said the council initially had nearly two dozen applications for the board positions following the resignations.

Some were eliminated because they did not meet the state Education Department’s residency requirement of being able to vote in the town of Massena, according to Councilman Charles A. Raiti.

Others were eliminated from the pool of candidates because there may have been a conflict of interest in the past or present, Mr. Gray said.

Town board members whittled the number of resumes down to 14 people who had expressed an interest on their own or were recommended by another person, but Mr. Gray said some of those who were under consideration for a board position declined the offer.

“Some were recommended but said ‘thanks, but no thanks,’” he said.

When deciding whom to appoint, Mr. Gray said the council looked at items such as the person’s educational background, community service and leadership.

“It was a pretty impressive list. We got some really top-notch people who submitted resumes. Hopefully they mesh together and a chemistry is created,” Councilman Albert N. Nicola said.

Ms. Hutchison said she had been thinking about serving in a volunteer role based on her interests and background.

“I mentioned it to someone, and he encouraged me to put my resume in for consideration,” she said.

Although she said she had an interest in serving on other boards as well, Ms. Hutchison said the library board was important.

“I think a strong library is really vital,” she said.

With the appointments, town board members said they would like to meet with the new library board members to discuss issues such as contracts, personnel issues, budget procedures and the relationship between the library and the state, Mr. Nicola said.

The library board’s first order of business at its initial meeting will be to select their officers, Councilman John F. Macaulay said.

The board will also need to begin a search for a new library director to replace Ms. Fountain.

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