Budget committee trims library salary lines, approves library budget as amended
May 29, 2024 | Everett City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
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The Everett City budget committee on Thursday approved the public librariesY25 budget after reducing salary appropriations for two vacant positions by $108,434.
Library Director Michael Sheehan told the committee the department had spent about $989,563 year to date and expected to return roughly $140,000 because of vacancies and timing. Sheehan said the larger FY25 salary request reflects efforts to refill positions that were short‑staffed by resignations and retirements over the past two years.
"We had several resignations and retirements," Sheehan said. "That's why that money was so low in the previous years that was spent." He said the library has already made offers for some vacancies and expects additional hires soon.
Council members pressed Sheehan about the two positions targeted for reductions: the technical services (cataloging) librarian and the youth services librarian at the Chute branch. Councilors were split over cutting funds while candidates were under consideration; one councilor urged leaving the lines whole to avoid delaying hires.
After debate the committee adopted a compromise trimming the technical‑services salary line substantially and reducing the youth librarian appropriation by roughly half. The roll call recorded the amendment and a final tally authorizing an $108,434 reduction to the library payroll lines.
Sheehan told the panel the cuts would not eliminate the jobs but would require the department to return to the council for additional appropriations if and when it hires and needs the full annual funding.
The director also discussed materials spending. He said the library intends to meet the state library commissionxpectation that a percentage of operating budgets be spent on materials, and described subscriptions the libraries use, including Rosetta Stone and Mango Language, to satisfy that requirement.
The committee approved the libraries budget as amended and moved it forward for inclusion in the FY25 package.
Library Director Michael Sheehan told the committee the department had spent about $989,563 year to date and expected to return roughly $140,000 because of vacancies and timing. Sheehan said the larger FY25 salary request reflects efforts to refill positions that were short‑staffed by resignations and retirements over the past two years.
"We had several resignations and retirements," Sheehan said. "That's why that money was so low in the previous years that was spent." He said the library has already made offers for some vacancies and expects additional hires soon.
Council members pressed Sheehan about the two positions targeted for reductions: the technical services (cataloging) librarian and the youth services librarian at the Chute branch. Councilors were split over cutting funds while candidates were under consideration; one councilor urged leaving the lines whole to avoid delaying hires.
After debate the committee adopted a compromise trimming the technical‑services salary line substantially and reducing the youth librarian appropriation by roughly half. The roll call recorded the amendment and a final tally authorizing an $108,434 reduction to the library payroll lines.
Sheehan told the panel the cuts would not eliminate the jobs but would require the department to return to the council for additional appropriations if and when it hires and needs the full annual funding.
The director also discussed materials spending. He said the library intends to meet the state library commissionxpectation that a percentage of operating budgets be spent on materials, and described subscriptions the libraries use, including Rosetta Stone and Mango Language, to satisfy that requirement.
The committee approved the libraries budget as amended and moved it forward for inclusion in the FY25 package.
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