By Katie Farrell
Staff writer
May 12, 2008 05:55 am Jeannine Bailey has submitted her resignation from the Library Board of Trustees, after serving about five years on the board. Bailey, the former chair, cited growing work commitments for her departure. "I love the library; I just need a break," she said. "It was the right time for me. We have a new director, and a mostly new board, and they're going to do a great job." Town Clerk Bonnijo Kitchin said the Municipal Council will vote to accept Bailey's resignation Tuesday and declare the seat vacant. Following the meeting, candidates can submit an application for the seat from May 14 to May 30. On June 10, the council and Trustees will hold a joint meeting to appoint a replacement. Bailey has a four-year seat that will expire at the end of 2009 so her replacement will serve only until that time. nnn The Library Trustees, along with the Friends of the Amesbury Library, are hosting a Open House on Thursday, May 22, to meet the library's new director, Katie McDonough. McDonough took over at the library last month. The reception will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Senior Center. Refreshments will be served. nnn The Amesbury meals program and food pantry, Our Neighbors' Table, has been given an earmark of $25,000 in the House version of the state budget for next year. State Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, said the amount will go towards the program's mobile food pantry, which serves Merrimac – a town that is actually out of his constituency, but a fact that doesn't matter to the legislator. "If it went across the border, it wouldn't really matter because it is feeding people," Costello said. Costello said the program has been included in the budget in recent years after he watched the hard work and devotion of the volunteers. "You need people like Rosemary (Werner, the director) and anything we can to help her financially," Costello said. "I think a lot of people depend on her kindness to help them get through tough times." The earmark should have no problem getting through the Senate, where Costello's counterpart, Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, will advocate for it, Costello said. nnn Under a proposal currently before the School Committee, some students who are inducted into any honor societies or serve as a class officer at the high school would no longer be required to pay the annual co-curricular activity fee. Superintendent of Schools Charles Chaurette said last week the committee is considering a measure that would abolish the yearly $50 fee for students who only take part in an honor society or are a class officer, and are not involved in any other clubs or activities. Most students who are in an honor society or serve as a class officer do more than one activity, Chaurette said, but for others, it doesn't make sense to have to pay a fee to be honored or elected to a position. "That's puzzled me since I got here," Chaurette said. The co-curricular fee is paid one time for the whole year no matter how many extracurricular activities a student does. The fee applies for those activities that require a paid advisor. The committee will vote on whether to allow for such a waiver at its next meeting. nnn Mayor Thatcher Kezer said last week the Muncipal Council will be given a measure by him to transfer $200,000 into the town's stabilization fund. Since taking office, Kezer has transferred money from free cash into the stabilization fund each year. The fund will increase to $700,000 with the transfer, the mayor said. "It was a few thousand when I walked in the door," Kezer said. By building up the fund, Kezer said, it strengthens the town's financial position – which has an impact on borrowing funds – and builds up reserve for future needs. nnn The newly formed Municipal Council sub-committee – the Financial Advisory Committee – met for the first time two weeks ago, Municipal Council president Roger Benson said last week. Also attending the meeting were councilors Allen Neale (the chair of the Finance Committee) Bob Lavoie (the council vice-president), Benson, and the town's Chief Financial Officer Mike Basque. "I think it's going to be a great group and we're lucky to have them," Benson said. The committee will look over and review the town's FY09 budget – which will be submitted to the council Tuesday, the town's Capital Improvement Plan, and report back to the council with an overview. They also will work with Basque to formalize the town's policies on financial practices, Benson said. nnn The town's new veteran's agent, Kristin LaRue, will begin her position on Thursday, May 15, Chief of Staff Kendra Amaral reported last week. LaRue has already been in contact with former veteran's agent Ron Koontz, who has offered his help in preparing Amesbury for Memorial Day services. nnn Town officials received word recently that Amesbury has been designated a "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 12th year in a row. nnn The following meetings have been scheduled for this week. Check with the town clerk's office for last-minute changes: Tuesday Municipal Council, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium Wednesday Board of Library Trustees, 7:15 p.m., Senior Center Katie Farrell covers Amesbury for The Daily News. She can be reached at 978- 462-6666, ext. 3232, or by e-mail at kfarrell@newburyportnews.com.
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