Jaffrey Public Library trustees accept donations, authorize up to $1,500 for chair laptop and enter nonpublic session on personnel

The Jaffrey Public Library Trustees met on July 14, 2026, and approved routine minutes and financial reports before accepting multiple donations and authorizing an equipment purchase.

Trustees approved the posted minutes following a motion by Trustee Deb Weissman and a second from Trustee Karie Swift; the minutes record that motion as carrying 3-0. During the Treasurer’s Report, Weissman recommended scheduling a meeting with 'Bar Harbour' regarding investments. Trustee Emily Carr moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Weissman seconded; the minutes record that trustees voted to accept the treasurer’s report and to accept and expend donations according to donor intent, with motions recorded as carrying 5-0.

The board accepted donated items and gift cards listed in the minutes for use in library programming and operations. Donors and gifts recorded in the minutes include: Kiwanis Club of Peterborough ($500); Masonic Lodge/Charity Lodge #18 (two $100 Walmart gift cards); the Kazanovicz family of Sharon, N.H. (kinetic sand, ankle skip ball, gemstone and fossil kit); Hannaford’s ($25 gift card); Harrisville Designs (four potholder loom kits); Jaffrey Pizza Barn (two large pizza gift certificates); The Shattuck (mini golf certificate for four); Station 16 Ice Cream ($25 gift card); The Park Theatre (four general-admission tickets); Endless Treasures ($25 gift card); and Escape Hatch Books (three $50 gift certificates). The trustees voted to accept and expend those donations consistent with donor intent.

On new business, Trustee Deb Weissman moved that the trustees pursue purchasing a computer and protective case for the board chair from trustee funds with a not-to-exceed limit of $1,500. Trustee Carol Greenwald seconded; the motion carried 5-0, authorizing the expenditure up to the stated limit.

Later in the meeting Weissman moved that the trustees enter nonpublic session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II(a) to discuss a personnel matter; Trustee Emily Carr seconded. The minutes include a roll call with several yes votes recorded and state that the motion carried 5-0. The board entered nonpublic session at 4:42 p.m.; the nonpublic session concluded at 4:58 p.m. Trustees subsequently voted to seal the minutes of the nonpublic session, with the minutes recording the sealing motion as carrying.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. following a motion by Weissman and a second by Carr. The minutes were recorded by Trustee Karie Swift.

Why it matters: Accepting donated materials and gift cards supports the library’s programs and services for patrons; authorizing a laptop for the board chair formalizes a recurring equipment need paid from trustee funds. The nonpublic session was recorded as a personnel matter under RSA 91-A:3 and the trustees voted to seal the minutes as allowed by law.