Candidate's Night: Board of Library Trustees

In just 18 days, voters will go to the polls to decide who will be representing the community on the Library Board of Trustees.

The Belmont League of Women Voters, through its Voter Education Fund, sponsored a Candidate’s Night on Thursday, March 17, at the Beech Street Center.

Moderated by Ellen Harde of the Westford League, the forum allowed those running in both uncontested and competitive town-wide races to share their goals, experience and thoughts about the future of Belmont with the public.

Incumbents Mary Keenan, Hal Shubin and challenger Matt Sullivan are each running for one of the two open seats.

Matt Sullivan said he’s lived in Belmont for 37 years and has been active in the town for much of that time, including becoming a Town Meeting member in 1992 while still a student at Belmont High School.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who are not in favor of building a new library and decided to run (for a seat on the board of trustees),” he said. “I don’t think this is a good time to ask for an override.

When asked a multi-part and lengthy question about his educational background and experience with libraries, Sullivan said he graduated from BHS, attended college for a while before going to work and uses the library a lot so feels he is qualified to run for a seat on the board.

He believes the library has excellent services but the roof, stairs, elevator and HVAC system must be fixed.

Hal Shubin said he has gained a lot of experience in his terms on the board, working on long-range plans and helping to develop the library budget each year. He said he is seeking a third term on the board because he wants to continue working to improve the library.

“I’m self-employed so I know about economic concerns,” Shubin said in reference to costs associated with building a new library.

“But we can’t do nothing. We can renovate the building but that will not add space. It makes more sense to build a new library than renovate the old one and accept a grant, add modern services and have a debt exclusion vote when the time comes.”

Should it end up that the library has to remain in its current spot, Shubin said the trustees will have to work on repairs such as a new elevator and a new heating system that is now past its useful life.

But, he warned, should the renovations be more than 30 percent of the cost; the entire building will have to meet ADA requirements that will result in the library having less space than it does now.

Mary Keenan said she brings experience to the board of library trustees and her many years of teaching gives her a voice for student needs.

“The library is a vital part in our community,” she said. “The elementary school libraries are now diminished. I believe the library is a necessity, not a luxury.”

Keenan said she would be remiss in her duties if she did not present the opportunity for a new library to the community and that is up to residents to make the final decision.

“A grant will reimburse the town up to 50 percent of the cost,” she said. “The heat, ventilation and elevator system have outlived their use.”

There’s already a strategic plan in place, should the library remain in its current spot, Keenan said. It outlines absolute necessities, requirements and what would be good to have in the library.