Goodnow trustees approve $31,328 budget increase, two staffing upgrades

SUDBURY — December 6, 2022 — Goodnow Library Trustees back 5.6 percent budget hike and hear Friends bid to return. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to forward a fiscal 2024 request that adds $31,328 to last year's $1,331,691 appropriation and upgrades two positions: the teen librarian to grade 8, matching other full-time department heads, and a 12-hour part-time reference and local history slot to a full-time grade 7 role. Library Director Esme said the departing teen librarian's posted replacement has drawn "very little interest" and noted the town and Goodnow Library Foundation jointly spent about $200,000 — including $150,000 in CPA funds — renovating the history room. Earlier, eight members of the Friends of the Goodnow Library, led by President Alice Levine, asked trustees to reverse a January 2021 vote that severed the partnership; Chair Lily Gordon held the session to listening only and took no action.