Selectboard approves one-month trial to house community food pantry in library

A board member moved that the library host a community food pantry for a one-month trial starting when a donated cabinet is secured, and the board voted in favor.

The idea originated during public comment when a resident proposed placing a lockable cabinet in a public-access space so townspeople could drop off or pick up nonperishable items. Members discussed possible locations (the library lobby, the clerk's office or post office lobby), concerns about refrigeration, seasonal freezing, privacy and limiting donations to items that fit inside the cabinet. The proposer said the cabinet would be nondescript, tastefully painted and include a resource page for people seeking additional assistance.

Committee members supported a short trial to test logistics. The motion that carried instructed the organizer to secure a cabinet and return with a brief report on usage and any rodent or orderliness issues after the trial. One of the members moving the motion said, "I make a motion to house a food pantry within the library for a trial period of a month starting when the cabinet is secured." The board agreed that signage and clear rules (for example: if it doesn't fit in the cabinet, it doesn't go in) should be part of the trial.

Next steps: the proposer will look for a cabinet and notify the board when it is available, at which point the one-month trial will begin and the board will review results at a later meeting.