East Kingston Library:

East Kingston votes for library trustees to take c

East Kingston votes for library trustees to take control of building project
Residents give trustees authority over project

By Ann Sanok
newsletter@seacoastonline.com
June 12, 2007 6:00 AM

EAST KINGSTON — Following a heated and sometimes bitter exchange between those in attendance at last Thursday's special town meeting, residents decisively rejected the selectmen's efforts to control the construction of the new library.

The vote, 213-30, will allow library trustees the unequivocal right to oversee and manage the construction project.

On Thursday residents voted, by an overwhelming show of hands, to amend the selectmen's article by deleting it and replace it with language urging selectmen to refrain from taking any action, legal or otherwise, which would impede or delay the completion of the project.

Controversy over the library project began in March following the town vote to build a new facility. Selectmen declared authority over the building project and forwarded drawings procured by library trustees to a new architect.

After failing to reach an agreement on the issue, selectmen and the library trustees subsequently petitioned for a special town meeting with separate warrant articles addressing the parties' respective authority over the project.

In their petition, selectmen sought to hire a second architect to create new drawings and to repeat the bidding process

While all three selectmen professed their desire to get the library built and to work with the trustees, many residents in the large crowd that filled the East Kingston Elementary School gym accused selectmen of wanting control, racking up unnecessary legal fees, and duplicating work.

When questioned as to why selectmen had never attended any library trustee meetings over the past three years or previously involved themselves in the construction planning process, Selectman Robert Forrest said the selectmen were not informed of the meetings and not invited.

Selectmen told that audience that the law regarding which party had control over the project was not clear.

Forrest urged residents to consider voting for the selectmen's warrant article because it was inclusive and allowed both parties to share in the project.

Library trustee Ted Lloyd disputed selectmen's contention that the law pertaining to libraries was ambiguous and read aloud portions of the relevant library statutes to the audience. When another resident challenged the legality of selectmen's actions under state law, Forrest refused to respond, stating that he did not feel it was appropriate to comment on "the interpretation of a statute by a non-lawyer."

Following the vote, trustee Lloyd said he was thrilled with the resounding support the trustees had received from the town's residents, but expressed concern that selectmen would continue to block the library's progress.

"We'll see if they really support getting this built by whether they step aside, or whether they'll continue to create obstacles and push this into the courts. I truly hope they will honor the will of the people of this town and respect tonight's vote."