Council debates museum budget after Museum Society did not reimburse part-time salaries

Councilors and staff spent a portion of the special meeting examining the museum’s budget shortfall and the role of the Museum Society in funding part-time salaries.

One councilor said the Museum Society "does not have an obligation anymore to provide any money" and that its role is now to protect donated funds; the mayor and finance staff said nothing was reimbursed this fiscal year and that the society currently holds more than $1,000,000. The mayor said the town plans to re-engage the Museum Society, negotiate contributions and amend the municipal ordinance to clarify that a Museum Advisory Group will be the formal route for the society’s board to communicate with museum management.

Mayor: "We are going to be amending the ordinance for the museum… The Museum Advisory Group is the method by which the Museum Society's board communicates with the management." The mayor also acknowledged legal uncertainty about whether the society was contractually required to pay the salaries and said the town has met with its attorney to prepare for discussions.

Councilors said they expect the society to contribute to alleviate salary costs but also warned the society may be protecting its funds pending clear contractual terms. No formal action to change the ordinance occurred at the special meeting; staff said meetings with the society and the town’s attorney are ongoing.