Fifth Woburn Library Trustee Not Expected Until May

WOBURN, MA — The Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees may not have a quorum again until May, Mayor Scott Galvin said on the public media show Today In Woburn Monday.

The board currently has just four members: Richard Mahoney, Joanne McNamee, Emily Lipsett, and Larry Rideout. The full board has nine seats.

The other members either resigned or were removed by the Mayor amid a battle over control of the library. Rideout and Lipsett were appointed to replace two members who were serving expired terms.

In response to a question from Today In Woburn host Samantha Stone, Galvin said there will probably not be a fifth trustee appointed until May. The other four openings will not be filled until special legislation to end lifetime appointments is approved by the state, the mayor said.

City officials are investigating whether meetings can be held without a quorum, which would allow the Board to move forward on pressing matters including the budget.

Galvin also said that library employee Hermayne Gordon has been elevated to assistant director. Job postings went up Tuesday for teen and children's librarians.

The Today In Woburn episode is available here from Woburn Public Media Center.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.