Mayor Galvin Intros Bill To End Lifetime Library Trustee Terms

WOBURN, MA — All nine Woburn Public Library trustees would serve three-year terms, doing away with the six lifetime roles, under legislation filed by Mayor Scott Galvin Wednesday.

Galvin sent the special act legislation to Woburn City Council that would end the lifetime term structure following an acrimonious recent meeting and months of conflict between trustees, residents and the library's staff.

If the council approves the special act legislation, it would also need approval from the state legislature.

Under Galvin's proposal, the six lifetime terms "shall cease immediately" on passage of the act, unless the trustee was appointed less than three years ago.

"Though I recognize that continuity of service and institutional knowledge serves the WPL, change will offer 'the essential infusion of diversity and new ideas' that will serve the City and its residents especially," Galvin wrote, citing the recommendation of the Massachusetts Public Library Trustees Handbook.

The practice of lifetime appointments dates to the library's early years, Galvin wrote.

Under his proposal, the mayor would appoint trustees to three-year terms, subject to confirmation by City Council. The act also requires the trustees to provide the mayor and council an annual audit of the library's trust funds.

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